For the past few days I’ve been out in Iraq filming Laura Critchley visiting the troops and doing a few impromptu gigs. The adventure started at Brize Norton where we boarded a charter flight to Kuwait. From there we boarded a Hercules C-130 for the night flight to Basra. I sat in the cockpit with the pilot and co-pilot for the flight which was fascinating, using night vision goggles to see through the darkness. We approached Basra with all lights off and did a steep tactical approach. After an impromptu performance for some American troops outside the hanger at 2am we were shown to our room. We each had a coffin-like bed walled on three sides with breeze blocks and topped off with armour plate covered in sandbags. Cosy!

Over the next two days we were looked after impeccably. Highlights included a low flight up river in a Lynx helicopter towards the Garden of Eden where the rivers Tigris and Euphrates meet to form the Shatt al-Arab river and going out on patrol with the RAF Regiment in a convoy of Bulldog tanks. The professionalism of the troops could never be faulted and we always felt protected, walking away from the tanks and into a school to watch the Iraqi police distribute pens, books and toys to the children.

At all times within the COB, we had to have body armour and helmet within 20 metres in case of rocket or mortar attack. Outside the COB we wore it at all times. Luckily there was no such excitement. It was such an intense couple of days that we returned exhausted. I can’t imagine how tired the troops are after being there for six months. I was filming the whole time and returned with around ten hours of footage. I didn’t have time to take one stills photo so these are library stock, but will get some off the others and post when possible. Also with us was Xavier Pick (MOD War artist) and Tony Moore (singer/songwriter and founding member of Iron Maiden). Xavier always had his sketch book out and captured some beautiful scenes.