0:00:02 > 0:00:07This programme contains strong languages and scenes which some viewers may find disturbing.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10The number one killer of British troops in Afghanistan is IEDs,
0:00:10 > 0:00:17improvised explosive devices or home made bombs that the Taliban dig into the ground to target troops.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19EXPLOSION
0:00:21 > 0:00:27In 2010, IEDs killed or wounded almost 8,500 coalition troops
0:00:27 > 0:00:30and an estimated 11,000 Afghans.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35In Central Helmand,
0:00:35 > 0:00:38the job of finding and destroying all these bombs
0:00:38 > 0:00:43comes down to the British Counter IED Task Force, known as Brimstone.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45EXPLOSION
0:00:48 > 0:00:54For the first time ever, the Ministry of Defence has allowed this work to be filmed.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59From the searchers who go looking for IEDs...
0:01:03 > 0:01:08..To the bomb disposal operator whose job it is to make them safe.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12EXPLOSION
0:01:14 > 0:01:17As the Task Force launch their two biggest operations,
0:01:17 > 0:01:22bomb disposal operator Rod comes face to face with an unusual device.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24There may be more to this than meets the eye.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27And with the search team hit,
0:01:27 > 0:01:29the end of the tour is a long way away.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32There's seven in a team and there's only four of us left.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36We've lost three in three months. We've got another three months to go.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38There's going to be no-one left.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43This is the story of the people who put their lives on the line every day.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46The people who walk towards the bomb.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48EXPLOSION
0:02:07 > 0:02:12A bomb disposal operator is heading out for a six month tour of Afghanistan.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Ladies and gentlemen, all remaining passengers please proceed to the departure lounge.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Rod has 11 years experience in bomb disposal.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26He's already toured Bosnia, Northern Ireland and Iraq twice.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29But he's never been to Afghanistan.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32I think anybody who's not a bit nervous, a bit scared,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35especially with the tempo of ops in Afghanistan
0:02:35 > 0:02:39and what we actually do, I think they'd be quite strange not to be.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43You know, I wouldn't say I was the best operator. I'm a pretty good operator.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47But obviously I need to be at the top of my trade for the next six months.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48HE LAUGHS
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Oh, yes.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09Normally, bomb disposal operators work with two truck loads of equipment,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12but in Afghanistan that's not always possible.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19So for seven weeks, Rod and other volunteers from the Army, Navy and Air Force
0:03:19 > 0:03:22have been undergoing a gruelling assessment.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Right, there's definitely an anti-tank mine underneath.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27To get to Afghanistan,
0:03:27 > 0:03:33they have to prove they can deal with any bomb with just the equipment they can carry.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35EXPLOSION
0:03:40 > 0:03:44By the end of the day, either I'm happy or my wife's happy.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46As in, if I pass,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49my wife's definitely not going to be happy but I will be.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52If I fail, the vice versa.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Unfortunately, it's the old cliche
0:03:56 > 0:04:00if somebody gets married to a soldier, actually gets married to the army, too.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03And either they live with it or you get divorced.
0:04:03 > 0:04:04And since I'm already divorced
0:04:04 > 0:04:07and then I got married again it's about right.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Only about a third of the candidates ever pass the course.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17We've been coming down the track here, where that sandy pit area is.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21We've seen a blue chemical drum. Normally that's main charges.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24The course is difficult and it's difficult for a reason
0:04:24 > 0:04:27because the guys on the course go out to do a very difficult job.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30I'm going to take a direct route straight to that barrel.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Off the hard standing, I've got what looks like a freshly dug over patch of earth.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37'Quite clearly it's dangerous. We all know it's dangerous.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40'They're a very clever enemy, adaptable, resourceful.'
0:04:40 > 0:04:44We're not fighting fools. They're sophisticated. We don't underestimate them.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46I've got two hits.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47Finger tipping.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51I can't tell you what sort of person. You know, we need people who are clever.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56They can think outside the box. And I think the big thing is they work well under pressures.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00I've found two single wires leading off in the direction of the barrel.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05Under immense pressure. Sometimes under fire, sometimes very tired and fatigued.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09And it takes a special kind of person that can take that responsibility
0:05:09 > 0:05:12and actually enjoy that responsibility, and thrive on it.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Standby. Firing.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16EXPLOSION
0:05:16 > 0:05:19But, er, we don't pass somebody because he's a good lad.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22We pass them because he's ready to go to Afghanistan.
0:05:22 > 0:05:29- Otherwise, you know, they may not come back.- Woo!- Did you pass?- Yeah.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33- Congratulations. Nice.- Why am I smiling? I should not be smiling.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Well, it's always nice to know you've passed something.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39And when I come down, then it might hit.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Then the reality might hit, but, yeah, at the moment I'm very happy.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48For those who've been successful, look after your teams, look after each other.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53Enjoy yourselves, go forth, multiply, stay in touch, need anything you know where we are.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04We've been together three years
0:06:04 > 0:06:07and we actually got married in July of this year.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09And so I think I've had a bit of a baptism of fire,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12so to speak, in life as an army wife.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19We'll have to wait to be a real married couple until I come back.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- We haven't really lived together for a long time have we?- No.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26For any more than 2 days in the last 14 weeks now.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29But it does mean, you know, we won't get to...
0:06:29 > 0:06:32we won't be shouting at each other for another six to eight months.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35As husband and wife.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- I'm quite sure we can make up for it.- Yeah, I'm sure.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40SHE LAUGHS
0:06:43 > 0:06:45And it's only six months,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47so it's not like it's a lifetime.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04In 11 years, Rod has dealt with 5 IEDs.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05EXPLOSION
0:07:05 > 0:07:08On a six month tour to Afghanistan,
0:07:08 > 0:07:12some operators have dismantled and destroyed over 100.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14EXPLOSION
0:07:21 > 0:07:24The Counter IED Task Force is led by Mark Davis.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Right, well, I'll just plonk myself here, I think.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Welcome to theatre.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33I hope that the training that you had was really good
0:07:33 > 0:07:36and I hope you're feeling pretty confident about it.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Obviously, you know, we can't get away from the injuries
0:07:39 > 0:07:42and the deaths we've had, so please, you know, don't cut the corners.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46You're new into theatre, get yourselves bedded in a bit,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49and just take care out there.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Rod has just met his team.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56They'll spend the next six months living and working together on the frontline.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03Have you met the number two yet? The number two is Frazer.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05He's the handsome chap at the end of the tent over there.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Handsome in the loosest of sense.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Have you seen his...above his bed?
0:08:14 > 0:08:17You get them with the combat medic pouches.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- For if somebody's dead. - You can put it on 'em.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21My little sense of humour.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24So we're just going to have to write it on his head.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27As long as we can find his head.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Chris Cooper, he's the escort.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- He's there for protection. - Don't put too much pressure on me.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34No pressure whatsoever.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38You know, I want to get out on the ground now, to be honest.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39What about you guys?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44I don't know. I'm just a little bit apprehensive, that's all.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47It's not like fear of going out. Just fear of the unknown, really.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49That's all that's getting me.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Yeah, I'm the same. Don't worry about it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56The counter IED teams are based throughout Helmand Province.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Rod's team, Brimstone One Nine,
0:08:59 > 0:09:03are going to be based in a heavily contested area called Rahim.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06The only woman in the team of four, Becci,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09is the electronic warfare specialist.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Ah, my army story's a funny one.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I was working in Northampton at Barclaycard head office,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and I used to have to get this bus to work every day.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18And it was about a 40 minute drive.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Every time I got on the bus, everyone would be in the same seats.
0:09:24 > 0:09:25And after about a few months,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29I just thought, I need to get off this bus cos I'm going to be sat here when I'm 45
0:09:29 > 0:09:32just on the same bus on my way to work.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37It was literally a, "Stop the bus, I'm going to join the army" moment.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41The idea was to get to see the world.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Here it is.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46SHE LAUGHS
0:09:50 > 0:09:55As long as we knit as a team then no matter what happens, we'll get over it.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02Obviously, if the worst happens then it might affect the team quite badly
0:10:02 > 0:10:05but let's cross that bridge when we get to it.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- Which one do you want, Becs? - I have no shelves.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13THEY LAUGH
0:10:13 > 0:10:18- Where's my foot spa? - Where do I plug my hairdryer in? Second thing is power.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21That is a point - there is no electricity.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27At the Task Force headquarters in Camp Bastion
0:10:27 > 0:10:30future operations are planned.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34And surveillance is used to spot the Taliban digging in bombs.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40It's estimated they plant over 1,000 IEDs every month.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Sometimes, a precision missile fired from Bastion stops them dead.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49EXPLOSION
0:10:55 > 0:11:00Near Rahim, there's been a missile strike on someone seen laying an IED.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04This afternoon, a command wire was seen to be dug in and a main charge.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Quite well east of here, just North of the Bandi Barq road.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12And they got hit by an exactor missile, I think, or extractor missile?
0:11:12 > 0:11:16There's bits of Taliban spread liberally all over the area currently.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20So if you're a bit squeamish because obviously yourself and yourself
0:11:20 > 0:11:22will be coming down the road with me.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- How big is the main charge assessed to be?- Didn't say.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Very sketchy on information.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30We'll do what we do best.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Start with no information and get lots more when we hit the ground.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38There's definitely a main charge there and bits of command wire and bits of body, currently.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Whether the bits of body are still there when we get there.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44It's a religious thing. They have to bury the whole body.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Whether it's in pieces or not, so it normally gets whisked away.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- If he's missing his left toe, he's going to hell. - Not quite as bad.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- There'll be 40 virgins there. - Why would you want 40 virgins?
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- You want experienced women. - Yes, exactly my point.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58THEY LAUGH
0:11:59 > 0:12:02He probably wants 40 experienced slags from Chatham.
0:12:02 > 0:12:03THEY LAUGH
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Coops, Coops, Coops...
0:12:07 > 0:12:11This is Brimstone One Nine's first job out of Rahim.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14They're leaving in the morning.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23My mum thinks I'm at Bastion.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25It's probably for the best.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Probably would be for the best if I WAS in Bastion.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Perhaps if I tell enough people I'm at Bastion, they might send me back.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35The messages might get confused. "Why's Becci not at Bastion?"
0:12:35 > 0:12:38"Get her back to Bastion." Yeah.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41You worry about yourself enough, I think.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43You don't need anyone else worrying about you.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46My mum worries every time I get in my car back in the UK
0:12:46 > 0:12:48let alone coming out to Afghanistan.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52Well, I know that's Rod, this tall lad, but I don't know.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55She has told me but I forgot.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57SHE LAUGHS
0:12:57 > 0:13:01She looks really sort of quite small, doesn't she?
0:13:01 > 0:13:02SHE LAUGHS
0:13:02 > 0:13:07When she's not, but with all them men, she looks quite small.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09SHE LAUGHS
0:13:12 > 0:13:13She knows that I'm a worrier.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21Because I just worry about what she's seeing because, you know,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24you hear so many things about what people see.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30People being blown up and things like that, and that just...I don't want her to see that.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Because you can't ever be the same again, can you?
0:13:37 > 0:13:38SHE GASPS
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Rod and the team are heading for the Bandi Barq Road.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52It's a main route the troops want to use
0:13:52 > 0:13:55but the Taliban have seeded it with IEDs.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58EXPLOSION
0:13:59 > 0:14:03A major operation is currently underway to clear the road.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05EXPLOSION
0:14:05 > 0:14:07In just one 300m stretch,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Brimstone teams have already found and destroyed 12 bombs.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16Now Rod and his team have to deal with another bomb near the road.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44A team of soldiers from the Brigade Recce Force
0:14:44 > 0:14:47have been watching over this area from a small compound.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53It's from here that they spotted the Taliban laying the IED
0:14:53 > 0:14:56to target a small bridge the soldiers have been using.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00They've seen our movements. They know that's an area we cross.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01That's a bridge point there.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05They've observed us several times in that location and decided to place an IED there.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10But it's quite close to our compound which is unusual that they've had the audacity, really,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- to go and lay an IED there. - There were so many people involved yesterday, watching.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Probably had seven people there at various times going up, looking reccing.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22It's a shame we only got to kill the one guy.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26They'd all be bang to rights had we killed all of them, as far as I'm concerned.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Helping Rod deal with this one bomb will be a team of nearly 50.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40As well as the surveillance team in the compound,
0:15:40 > 0:15:44there are soldiers out on the ground surrounding the area.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49A specialist search team will get Rod to the IED.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51They lead the way through the most dangerous areas
0:15:51 > 0:15:53checking for bombs as they go.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00To try and put it into words is quite difficult to say
0:16:00 > 0:16:07how the intense fear of standing on one of these devices is...
0:16:08 > 0:16:13..incredibly strong and to be able to understand that you need to be there
0:16:13 > 0:16:18and see someone laid on the floor screaming, with no legs...
0:16:20 > 0:16:24..and blood all over the place before you kind of appreciate
0:16:24 > 0:16:28what these guys do, searching for devices.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Lads, just drop down into that dead ground.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45There's a good threat of getting contacted. Just drop across to that dead ground.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50It's Si's responsibility to decide the route Rod and the team will take to the bomb.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55The more unpredictable he can make it, the better.
0:17:02 > 0:17:08Over the decades, the terrorist has always targeted how we operate.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Their best way of doing that is watching our tactics.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15And then they will devise an IED-type
0:17:15 > 0:17:20to put in our path and, so, there's a sort of a circular activity going on
0:17:20 > 0:17:24where we watch them, they watch us.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27We have to be ever more alert and one step ahead of them all of the time.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Can you take that?
0:17:35 > 0:17:36Fuck's sake.
0:17:42 > 0:17:43Cheers.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50The team think the bomb is a command wire device.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54That means that someone in the area could be watching
0:17:54 > 0:17:57ready to trigger it when the team get near.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00We got the kids just to the right by the block house.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03The one in the chequered shawl was one of the two watching yesterday.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09And the command wire could be protected by other bombs.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Careful, mate.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14There was a guy in blue going along the back crossing
0:18:14 > 0:18:17coming through that gap there.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23The search team need to find the wire...
0:18:25 > 0:18:28..and mark out a safe path for everyone else to follow.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Anywhere outside the yellow lines, there could be a bomb.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Can you see that wire, mate?
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- No? Just fucking go slow up there, all right, mate?- Yeah.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Right, is the command wire there?
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- Rod.- Yeah?- Do you wanna come up and have a look, mate?
0:18:58 > 0:19:04- You can see the wire there, I think, surface laid.- Yeah, seen. - Seen?- Yeah.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- Yeah, I think I can see it as well. - Yeah.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10The wire turns out to be a kite string.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14One tug on this string and the device would explode.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It's on the other side of yet another irrigation ditch,
0:19:17 > 0:19:22running towards the bridge, where the IED is thought to be.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Once the string has been cut, Rod will approach the bomb.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29What's the extraction plan, if it all goes terribly wrong for me?
0:19:29 > 0:19:33If it goes terribly wrong for you? I'd run in and fucking get you.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Potentially I could be lighter so it won't be too much of a problem.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38You would be a lot lighter, to be fair.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43Everyone in this job takes risks. It's a risky job. Shit happens.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Now, shit does happens and you can't get around that.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Things'll happen that you could not even think of.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- Ready?- Let's go.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53When it boils down to it, if it went bang,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55I wouldn't know about it anyway.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57If I'm that close with my head looking in,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00it would be pretty quick and I wouldn't feel a thing.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Don't explode! It's frowned upon.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09But it's the rest of my team, obviously, and my wife and my parents and my sister so...
0:20:09 > 0:20:10And all the friends,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13so yeah. So I get off lightly, really, when it boils down to it.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Bex?- Yeah?
0:20:17 > 0:20:18Are you ready to go?
0:20:18 > 0:20:22Only Becci and Coops will be going across the ditch with Rod.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27You're going to enjoy this. You all right, Coops?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Everyone else remains at a safe distance.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Coops will provide Rod with protection in case of a direct attack,
0:20:37 > 0:20:42while Becci, as the electronic warfare specialist, will protect them
0:20:42 > 0:20:47from any radio-controlled or mobile phone operated device in the area.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50So ECM on top of there.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Yeah?
0:20:53 > 0:20:55You see where that grass is?
0:20:55 > 0:20:57- Yeah. - Coops, can you pass me the ECM?
0:20:57 > 0:20:58It's just a bit further.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03All right.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06METAL DETECTOR WHINES
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Can you see the string?
0:21:09 > 0:21:13String... Oh, yeah, yeah.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19Although the string has been cut, Rod still hasn't found the bomb.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29No-one knows exactly where it is,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32or if there's only one.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35They also don't know if there's some other way of setting it off.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Rod needs to find the battery and disconnect it.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53OK, I can see...
0:21:56 > 0:22:00..direct to my front about two meters,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03twin-flex wire.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07It looks like it's been covered over with a load of grass cuttings.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Frazer, Rod. We have a power source.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40So I'm going to come in from the top and try and get a cut on those two wires.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Yeah, roger that.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Get ready to move!
0:22:47 > 0:22:51He's going to be taking a shot onto the device.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Can you get your guys, especially these ones here, under hard cover?
0:22:55 > 0:23:00Rod plans to cut the wire with a blade fired by a small explosive.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Ready?
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- In case this explosion sets off the bomb...- All right, let's go.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11..the three of them need to join the rest of the team back on the other side of the ditch.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Don't stand still too long.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21For the past hour, the ditch has been slowly filling up.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Ah!
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Right, can you pass me your ECM?
0:23:29 > 0:23:34Coops, come in, just pull her back from that side to get her foot loose.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37It's nearly there, Coops.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42Ah! OK?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45What happened to you?
0:23:45 > 0:23:46Twice stuck.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48HE LAUGHS
0:23:48 > 0:23:51I actually thought I was going to die in there.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54We're ready when you are, Frazer, to fire it.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Stand by! Firing!
0:23:59 > 0:24:04- EXPLOSION - It's now six and a half hours since the team got off the helicopter.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07There's only an hour of daylight left.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12Rod has cut one wire, but he still has to make the bomb safe.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Get down there, do a 360 of this side, or as much as I can.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18- Place charge, fucking run away. - Happy days.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Otherwise we're going to run out of light.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- Yeah.- When we cross this time, I'll go across, get to the other side.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27You start, you wait and just keep going.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Come on, let's do a widdle.
0:24:33 > 0:24:39The week before he went away and also the days running up to it, erm...
0:24:39 > 0:24:43were really, really quite emotionally charged for both of us.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Remember, don't stop.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49On Christmas Day, we were having conversations about what I would do
0:24:49 > 0:24:53should he have what he called... we've called...
0:24:53 > 0:24:56we've called it Rod having a bad day at work.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Looking at it from my perspective,
0:25:00 > 0:25:04how I would feel should I be an army widow,
0:25:04 > 0:25:08and the best way I could describe it was I was absolutely petrified at that thought,
0:25:08 > 0:25:14and if I thought about it now, then it is something that does fill you with dread and fear,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17and I think when the doorbell goes and you're not
0:25:17 > 0:25:22expecting somebody to come round, you instantly think, "Oh, God."
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Come and get the ECM up here and then crack on.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28If anything happens, I'll fucking run back this way.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31METAL DETECTOR WHINES
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Well, obviously, he's...isolated the battery pack
0:25:41 > 0:25:43from the main device.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45The cheeky fuckers!
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Hang on.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50There may be more to this than meets the eye.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52There may be more to this than meets the eye, apparently.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59OK, no further details! There's just more to this than meets the eye,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02apparently, so it means he's found something interesting.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10We'll wait and see...as usual.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Wait...and wait...and wait.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20No, it is a battery, it's just a big one.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26It's the biggest fucking battery I've ever seen.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31We've got about another 35 minutes of light, workable light.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40He is now making his way towards the actual main device.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48Main charge... DFC.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53DFC? It's a directional charge, so they'll have a sheet of metal,
0:26:53 > 0:26:57and then behind that sheet of metal, they'll have explosives.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00So when the explosives go off,
0:27:00 > 0:27:07then the sheet of metal just flies out and forms a slug, as it were, to hit whoever's in its vicinity.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11I've found the switch as well.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16Just put something like nuts and bolts in there as well to increase the damage.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Which is fantastic.
0:27:22 > 0:27:23Really generous of them.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50Over on the Bandi Barq Road, another Brimstone team has also found a bomb.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53They're preparing to destroy it by blowing it up.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58EXPLOSION
0:27:58 > 0:28:02What the fuck?! That made me jump! What's going on, Frazer?
0:28:02 > 0:28:07I may have forgot to tell Rod about that...and he just jumped!
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- Whoops!- That's pretty jack. - That was pretty jack, yeah.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Pass on my regards and tell 'em...
0:28:12 > 0:28:14HE LAUGHS
0:28:16 > 0:28:20The detonator's well, er...stuck in,
0:28:20 > 0:28:25so it's getting whacked with the main charge. Get ready to move!
0:28:25 > 0:28:28To stop the Taliban re-using the detonator
0:28:28 > 0:28:32and any of the home-made explosive, Rod is going to blow them up.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Come on, let's make it go bang before it goes dark.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42- Bleeding ears time coming up. - Is it charging?
0:28:42 > 0:28:44- You what, Simon?- Stand by! Firing!
0:28:44 > 0:28:47EXPLOSION
0:28:47 > 0:28:51- That was all right, wasn't it? - Wait there! Wait there!
0:28:51 > 0:28:53- Don't look up, don't look up. - Don't look up!
0:28:53 > 0:28:58Getting rid of one IED has taken seven-and-a-half hours.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01It's now too late to return to Rahim.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06Rod and Brimstone 19 will have to stay overnight in the compound.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09So, we're staying here tonight? We'll all be sleeping in these.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14The actual main charge itself was designed
0:29:14 > 0:29:16to inflict mass causalities, to be honest.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20Lots of metal in it, so it's quite an effective weapon.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Now I need to get something to eat, cos I haven't eaten yet.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Some hot dogs and some bread there, mate.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31- Er, don't drip it, you're dripping. - Ah!
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Oh, it's just full of mud.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39They're going to weigh a ton tomorrow, I'll be carrying more weight.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46You won't actually believe how...how difficult it is to get through it.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50At one point, it just looked like me and Becs were actually at it
0:29:50 > 0:29:54in the middle of this massive ditch that was full of goo.
0:29:54 > 0:29:59I was trying to get round her waist and lever her up,
0:29:59 > 0:30:01and I was like that, and she's, "Oh! Oh!"
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Then I grabbed hold of her legs!
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Oh, it was a right carry-on.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- There you are. - Get amongst them hot dogs.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12Is it two, yeah? Oh, no, there's not much bread, perhaps one bit of bread, two hot dogs.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27Brimstone 19's job is completed.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31It turns out it was only inches away from going very differently.
0:30:31 > 0:30:37The bomb that the other Brimstone team found and destroyed on the Bandi Barq road yesterday
0:30:37 > 0:30:44was on the exact route Rod and the team had walked from the helicopter, at the start of the job.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Nearly 22, 23 people
0:30:47 > 0:30:53physically walked past the device, and somebody, the most fortunate person in the group,
0:30:53 > 0:30:55stepped within a foot's width of it.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01It's just one of those lessons learnt, because from what we've been told,
0:31:01 > 0:31:06it was a pretty big device, so whoever was stood on top of it would have been pink mist.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10And probably people in front and people behind,
0:31:10 > 0:31:15you know, they would have been pretty seriously injured, if not killed, you know.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18As far as I'm aware, that's the first time we've been that close,
0:31:18 > 0:31:22but I don't think you ever really know how close you are. I don't think you'd want to know, really.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26If every time you went out, you missed an IED by six inches.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29I don't think you'd be wanting to leave camp very often.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- It doesn't count as one of your nine lives.- Does it not?- No.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37To count as one of your nine lives, you've got to step on it
0:31:37 > 0:31:41and it doesn't work, or it partials and you're still there.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43HE LAUGHS That's when it counts as one of your lives.
0:31:43 > 0:31:49A few of them may disappear over the next four months, but as long as I end up with at least one, I'm happy.
0:31:54 > 0:32:01By clearing major routes like the Bandi Barq road, Brimstone enables troops to move more freely.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06But further south, they're about to mount an entirely different type of operation.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Rod and his team are among 270 British and Afghan soldiers
0:32:14 > 0:32:18joining forces for the largest British counter-IED operation ever.
0:32:21 > 0:32:27The aim is to clear an abandoned village of IEDs so families can move back into their homes.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30EXPLOSION
0:32:30 > 0:32:31GUNFIRE
0:32:31 > 0:32:32Contact!
0:32:36 > 0:32:41For over a year, the army fought the Taliban for control of Char Coucha village.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44If I can smash this down, get a ladder down there!
0:32:44 > 0:32:46All right, back!
0:32:46 > 0:32:49All right, we're looking at a massive open space!
0:32:49 > 0:32:52By the time they pushed the Taliban out,
0:32:52 > 0:32:56the locals had left their compounds and the village was riddled with IEDS.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58Got a firing point?
0:32:58 > 0:33:01The insurgents have been particularly vicious in this area.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05It reached such a stage where every family who left
0:33:05 > 0:33:09was ordered by the Taliban that they had to put IEDs in their own compounds.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14But each week there's an incident to do with IEDs here, whether it be
0:33:14 > 0:33:18a child pushing a wheelbarrow and it detonating, whatever it may be.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Our soldiers, we've had 12 soldiers wounded in this area,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24and we've been very lucky not to lose anyone thus far.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28But it is one of the most dangerous areas within our area of operation,
0:33:28 > 0:33:32probably one of the most dangerous areas across the whole of Helmand.
0:33:32 > 0:33:39In two days, Brimstone will begin the mission to search Char Coucha and find and remove every IED.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Leading the way will be four specialist search teams.
0:33:44 > 0:33:50Rod will be working alongside Search Team 9.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52Until then, they're training.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54DETECTOR WHISTLES
0:33:54 > 0:33:59See, we got to find a hundred out of a hundred.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02They've got to get one out of a hundred and they've got a victory.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05We have to find every little thing.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Take a knee, lads.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13The team have been in Afghanistan for three months,
0:34:13 > 0:34:15and they've already taken casualties.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20There's seven in a team, and there's only four of us left, erm...
0:34:20 > 0:34:24We lost one...killed in action,
0:34:24 > 0:34:28the other one wounded in action,
0:34:28 > 0:34:32and another one's been sent home for another battle casualty.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35So there's only four out of the original team left.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37We lost three in three months.
0:34:37 > 0:34:42So we're like...we've got another three months to go, there's going to be no-one left type thing.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53Well, I suppose the, erm...the first one was when...
0:34:55 > 0:34:57..Corporal Barnsdale was killed.
0:34:57 > 0:35:03That was our first death, and it was amazingly traumatic for everybody.
0:35:03 > 0:35:08But it would have been naive of me to think that, you know, we wouldn't get anybody killed.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12The one that got Dave was a big pressure pad designed for vehicles,
0:35:12 > 0:35:17so you need a lot of pressure to set it off, and he must have just caught it just in the middle.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22So we've all stepped on it, but not just in the middle for them connections to meet.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25So...I mean, some people are lucky and
0:35:25 > 0:35:26others are not.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Yeah, carry on.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31I think those youngsters in the search teams,
0:35:31 > 0:35:34they're the ones that are up the front doing very dangerous work,
0:35:34 > 0:35:40and it's hard to imagine the sort of anxiety and the stress levels that they must be going through,
0:35:40 > 0:35:45because the IEDs, as we know, are difficult to find, even with our technology.
0:35:45 > 0:35:50And it's having that confidence to then step forward and put your foot down onto the ground,
0:35:50 > 0:35:56constantly wondering, "Is this going to be the step I take that actually blows me up?"
0:35:56 > 0:35:57Take a knee, lads.
0:36:00 > 0:36:01We weren't volunteers.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06You're meant to be volunteers for this,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08but we're not.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13There's no getting out of it, you're in the army at the end of the day.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17We just go where we're told, do whatever we're told. DETECTOR SQUEALS
0:36:17 > 0:36:20A soldier doesn't have to worry about
0:36:20 > 0:36:23having no roof over his head, having no food on the...
0:36:23 > 0:36:25on the table.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29They don't have to worry about anything like a civilian has to worry about.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32All we have to worry about is either losing your legs
0:36:32 > 0:36:36or losing your friends, and that's the cold, hard truth.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38But at the end of the day, it's a job,
0:36:38 > 0:36:42and unfortunately the job does ask you to put your life on the line.
0:36:42 > 0:36:47And everyone knew back home I've always wanted to be a soldier,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50and I'm here, I'm doing my jo...
0:36:50 > 0:36:52I'm living the dream sort of thing.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55But reality slaps you in the face when you come to Afghan, like.
0:36:55 > 0:37:00At the age of 22, carrying your mate in a coffin home,
0:37:00 > 0:37:06a mate that you've shared beers with and enjoyed and had laughs with.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11And having seen him die and carry his coffin and send him home, you...
0:37:11 > 0:37:17you can't go through things like that and not be changed as a person, like.
0:37:21 > 0:37:26They're a young team, and you look at relations between you and your own children,
0:37:26 > 0:37:30and they're so young, they could almost be my children.
0:37:30 > 0:37:35And you just have that extra level of care, I think, and compassion.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38But what you don't really think is that that team will get hit again.
0:37:38 > 0:37:45There's no reason to think that they shouldn't do, you just don't really expect it.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51Where Captain Sinnott got hit, the day before we found four devices in that same area,
0:37:51 > 0:37:55and we was looking at them that night, and we were asking, "What would that do?
0:37:55 > 0:37:57"How would that injure someone?"
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Well, next day we found out, didn't we?
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Oh, fuck.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Why is that so tight?
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Because you've been in your wheelchair.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25The more you sit, the less it gets stretched, so...
0:38:31 > 0:38:36When Dave died, er...a month before,
0:38:36 > 0:38:39when the blast goes, that dust goes everywhere.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Your whole world turns dark.
0:38:41 > 0:38:46When I got hurt myself, the same thing, the world turned dark, and your immediate reaction is to
0:38:46 > 0:38:50check yourself, but you think, "Oh, it's not me, but it was very close."
0:38:50 > 0:38:55It wasn't until I looked down and I realised, "Bloody hell, it was actually me."
0:38:55 > 0:39:00I think I had about a minute, the way blood was pumping out of me, and the guys were on me in seconds.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04Getting those tourniquets on, that's the first thing that saves your life, really.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07The whole team, they was brilliant, like.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11With Dave, we felt helpless, because he died instantly.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15With Captain Sinnott, it was different, we could treat him.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18We got round him and we patched him up.
0:39:18 > 0:39:23I mean, conscious through the whole thing. When they're tightening those tourniquets up, Christ!
0:39:23 > 0:39:25I never felt pain like it.
0:39:25 > 0:39:30I thought it hurt getting blown up, but it's actually the tourniquets which hurts the most.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34No, as they say, you only do it once in your life, losing your legs, don't you?
0:39:34 > 0:39:36- Yep.- Can't do it again.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43The last job, we destroyed 13 devices,
0:39:43 > 0:39:47and when you come off the job and you've found 13 and you're like that.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51But on the other side, it's a very...devastating job,
0:39:51 > 0:39:57like we've seen my mate die by an IED, and I've had to treat my troopie, tourniquets on his legs
0:39:57 > 0:40:02and pick him up on a stretcher and get him on the helicopter.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04When you see that, you think,
0:40:04 > 0:40:06"What am I doing here, like?"
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Now Search Team Nine are about to go back out on the ground again.
0:40:10 > 0:40:15They're going to play a leading role in the clearance of Char Coucha.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18I just wanted to say thanks for the effort that you guys put in.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20I think we all know that you guys
0:40:20 > 0:40:23are right at the front taking the big risks.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27And this is going to be a fairly unique challenge,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31making areas safe again for locals to come back in.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36And I don't think there's any better effect we can have than doing that for the population here
0:40:36 > 0:40:38because that's what'll get us out of here in the end.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41By proving that the Taliban don't rule this country
0:40:41 > 0:40:47and you've got a very, very proud part to play in that by helping those people.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53They're a good bunch of guys,
0:40:53 > 0:40:57and they've had a rough ride of it, that's for sure.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01I didn't think I'd get them back out on the ground after Dave died but they were brilliant.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04They helped each other to get through it, you know.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07They're unsung heroes out there. When we turn up, you know,
0:41:07 > 0:41:11it's the absolute relief in their eyes when they see us turn up.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14I think they're all quite shocked to hear that a lot of us
0:41:14 > 0:41:17didn't choose this profession but we're doing it
0:41:17 > 0:41:23and, er we don't get paid anything extra or we don't go home to a bevy of women for it, you know.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27It's just a job for us, really,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29and they think we are nutters for doing it.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31I don't think they are wrong, to be honest.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34I think we are a little bit crazy to be doing what we do.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39We are anxious, a bit nervous.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41But we're all going to take it slow,
0:41:41 > 0:41:46concentrate on it and just make sure everyone gets home this time, you know what I mean.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50Our last push. At the end of the day there's light at the end of the tunnel.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54So happy days. We'll crack on with it again.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59It's the squaddie way, you know what I mean.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16The big one starting today Op Kapcha Kwandikalay.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21Got map in general then each of these compounds links to a detailed DTA.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27All teams were reported in at eight o'clock.
0:42:27 > 0:42:32They're all on the ground ready to trot and I'd imagine now beginning the search.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38There are 90 compounds and miles of alleyways in Char Coucha.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41It all needs to be searched and cleared
0:42:41 > 0:42:43before the families will return.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49Rod and the other bomb disposal operators will wait
0:42:49 > 0:42:52in a cleared compound until anything suspicious is found.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Search Team Nine have been given the job
0:42:57 > 0:43:00of looking for any bombs hidden in Compound 52.
0:43:00 > 0:43:06Because doorways are a prime spot for bombs, they'll go over the wall.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Medic-wise, should we have a casualty in there,
0:43:09 > 0:43:11up over the wall and then back straight down.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13By the time the tourniquets are on
0:43:13 > 0:43:16we'll just fucking drag him over the wall and away we go.
0:43:19 > 0:43:24The first man over the wall has to find a safe route for everyone else to follow.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27If anything goes wrong it's very difficult
0:43:27 > 0:43:29for anyone to go in and help him.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47He's got a bit of ground sign, he's confirming.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51Yeah, yeah, as he walked off he just found something.
0:43:51 > 0:43:53He had a reading. So he's just going down.
0:43:56 > 0:44:01We have at least 50 families who are tee-ed up ready to come back in.
0:44:01 > 0:44:06And we're just holding fire till we've cleared the routes, the alleyways and their compounds.
0:44:08 > 0:44:13Because it would be a disaster for us if they came back in and then they initiated an IED.
0:44:13 > 0:44:18- Just under his arms, yeah? - All the confidence we've been trying to build would be lost.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21Just grab him. Got him?
0:44:21 > 0:44:23As ever there is a degree of luck in all this.
0:44:23 > 0:44:29And one cleverly hidden IED, one new trick up their sleeve and we're back to square one.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31But I'm very conscious of the risk involved
0:44:31 > 0:44:35in this operation and that risk is very high.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41It's always good to send the dog up first.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48If the worst should happen and the dog does miss it and gets blown up,
0:44:48 > 0:44:52it's bad but at least it's rather the dog than one of our lads.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59The operation at Char Coucha is part of an ongoing campaign
0:44:59 > 0:45:02to persuade Afghans to stop supporting the Taliban.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05What we'd like to talk about here today
0:45:05 > 0:45:06are these devices.
0:45:06 > 0:45:10And how they can kill or maim young people like you.
0:45:10 > 0:45:161,800 Afghans were killed by IEDs in 2010 alone.
0:45:16 > 0:45:21It's thought as many as 9,000 were wounded.
0:45:21 > 0:45:28The insurgents themselves maybe trying to present themselves as being honourable but patently they're not.
0:45:28 > 0:45:32That's where the opportunity lies for us as men
0:45:32 > 0:45:33to stand up to these cowards
0:45:33 > 0:45:38and stop them having this terrible effect on the local communities.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46To encourage the locals to move back in to Char Coucha,
0:45:46 > 0:45:50they're being offered compensation for damage to their compounds.
0:45:51 > 0:45:57Couple of windows, couple of doors, a little bit of ground damage.
0:45:57 > 0:46:01OK, for this small damage
0:46:01 > 0:46:04- I'm going to pay 10,000 Afghanis for it.- 10,000 Afghanis.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14- He wants 15,000 Afghanis. - He wants 15?
0:46:14 > 0:46:16If I give him 15 my Commander will beat me.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28So that's the money. Can you ask him to make his mark in that box here.
0:46:31 > 0:46:37This is full and final settlement. He can't come back and claim for the same damage.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42Right, I've got the main entrance to this compound in this room.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45And there's a dip near the fucking door as well so...
0:46:50 > 0:46:54Yeah, that's his compound so he's got no doors or windows.
0:46:54 > 0:46:58But the interpreter has been to this compound and he reckons that's a different compound
0:46:58 > 0:47:02he's kind of had himself photographed in front to try to get more money.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07A lot of them I wouldn't trust, if I'm honest,
0:47:07 > 0:47:11as far as I could throw them but, you know, I've got to deal with them.
0:47:23 > 0:47:26- Sandy?- Yeah.- Come here, mate.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29What looks like a bag of ball bearings, so take it for prints.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33It's what they like to use on us.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37It's only one of a number of finds in the compound.
0:47:40 > 0:47:46As I was confirming down there in all the rubble, I started pulling out bits of scrap metal,
0:47:46 > 0:47:49could be, er parts of battery where they've stripped it down
0:47:49 > 0:47:52to take out all the carbon rods.
0:47:52 > 0:47:56In there, as well, we found a bit of twin flex wire.
0:47:56 > 0:48:00It's all components really to build an IED.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02- Floydie.- Yeah.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05RPG. Tubes.
0:48:06 > 0:48:08The discoveries made by Search Team Nine
0:48:08 > 0:48:12suggest that Compound 52 was a Taliban bomb factory.
0:48:12 > 0:48:19It's thought a place like this can produce a home-made bomb every 15 minutes.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22The team go to investigate the entrance.
0:48:22 > 0:48:27It's an area often protected with IEDs.
0:48:27 > 0:48:29Speedy is lead searcher.
0:48:29 > 0:48:32Because of the casualties the team has suffered,
0:48:32 > 0:48:35he's joined them till the end of their tour.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41DETECTOR EMITS SHRILL BEEPS
0:49:08 > 0:49:10It's the end game, isn't it?
0:49:10 > 0:49:13It's coming home and seeing all your family again in one piece.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16The only thing you think about when you are searching.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19And when you go down and you are picking away at the dirt,
0:49:19 > 0:49:23- you are thinking... - I'm going to get blown up here. - ..this is it.- This is it.
0:49:23 > 0:49:28Kind of thing, you are thinking this could be it kind of thing every time you go down.
0:49:28 > 0:49:32You also think about it back here. This could be my last dessert.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35This could be my last pack of peanut M&Ms.
0:49:35 > 0:49:37- This could be my last film I'm watching.- Pizza Hut.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40This could be my last phone call home.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12Er, I think I might have summat.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16Take your time, mate.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19It looks like, er, it might be an inner tube.
0:50:22 > 0:50:23It's summat wrapped in an inner...
0:50:23 > 0:50:26Yes, fuck it, find. I'm not fucking with it.
0:50:26 > 0:50:30Get fucking ATO down. The dog showed interest in it, I seen it.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33Get back. Don't fuck about.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43Already? Fucking hell, you lads are keen.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46A bomb disposal operator will be called to deal with it.
0:50:49 > 0:50:52When you pull one out of the ground there's nothing better.
0:50:52 > 0:50:56You think I dealt with one of them, that's it, you've beat them in a way,
0:50:56 > 0:51:00you've outsmarted 'em. But, like, when Dave died, it was horrible
0:51:00 > 0:51:03because, like, obviously all the war films and stuff like that,
0:51:03 > 0:51:07there's an enemy in front of you kind of thing.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09But, like, they've long gone.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12And you are left to find it and you feel like
0:51:12 > 0:51:15"you bastards" in a way, kind of thing, you know what I mean?
0:51:15 > 0:51:18You want to get them back but they are not there,
0:51:18 > 0:51:22they're never there, they never stay around, they never fight, just cowards.
0:51:22 > 0:51:28They are. It is a cowardly way of fighting but it's effective.
0:51:29 > 0:51:34Compounds today cleared 12 which is fantastic and 22 in total.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38There's been three IEDs found in the actual village itself.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41Well sorry one in the village and two on the outskirts,
0:51:41 > 0:51:43about 300, 400 metres away.
0:51:43 > 0:51:46So it's not been too busy for us
0:51:46 > 0:51:49but it's been very busy for the search teams.
0:51:53 > 0:51:59The operation to clear Char Coucha village takes the Brimstone teams 11 days.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05Search Team Nine clear two major walkways,
0:52:05 > 0:52:08and seven of the 75 compounds.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15How did it go?
0:52:15 > 0:52:20All right, another two jobs after the first one so...
0:52:20 > 0:52:22Both the same though, so it wasn't too bad.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26After less than two months in Afghanistan,
0:52:26 > 0:52:31Rod has already doubled the number of IEDs that he's dealt with in his entire 11-year career.
0:52:31 > 0:52:35And him and the team still have four months to go.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38'It's the little things you miss like having a bath,
0:52:38 > 0:52:41'being able to relax, walk into a kitchen and make a cup of coffee.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43'And it's the company as well, I do miss my wife.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46'I try not to think about home cos it just gets you depressed.
0:52:46 > 0:52:51'It's something to look forward to but not to dwell on too much.'
0:52:51 > 0:52:54Do the job out here and then go back.
0:52:54 > 0:52:59The main thing is to all go back in one piece. That's the main aim.
0:53:04 > 0:53:08With Char Coucha cleared the locals start to move back in.
0:53:10 > 0:53:15So far 40 families have returned to the village.
0:53:15 > 0:53:20Search Team Nine are also returning home.
0:53:20 > 0:53:24In the past six months they have had to deal with the death of one team member
0:53:24 > 0:53:27and the double amputation of another.
0:53:27 > 0:53:28Now their tour is over.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36You see, everyone says how horrible England is
0:53:36 > 0:53:38oh, I'd love to move away and all this.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42But you get into Brize the first thing you see is grass
0:53:42 > 0:53:47and it is like we are back in England's green and grassy land.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49And you don't appreciate how nice the country is
0:53:49 > 0:53:53until you've actually been to a hell hole and Afghan really is.
0:53:53 > 0:53:59It's got nothing there, it's just dust, rock, rubble, IEDs.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02I had a funny thought when I came back,
0:54:02 > 0:54:06like we're coming back to a proper flourishing country, like.
0:54:06 > 0:54:12I dunno why I just had that feeling that you have to do your part and help other people.
0:54:12 > 0:54:17Everyone deserves happiness, you know what I mean. Like running water, and that's why we are out there.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19And it kind of dawned on me
0:54:19 > 0:54:22and, yeah, I only thought about that for five seconds
0:54:22 > 0:54:24then I thought beer and home and stuff like that.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29After three months and another 20 bombs,
0:54:29 > 0:54:32Rod and his team also get back.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41Hopefully that will be my last time, to be honest.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44So I think I've got that out of my system.
0:54:44 > 0:54:46I've played soldiers well for the last six months.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48I'm really, really glad to be back.
0:54:52 > 0:54:53- How are you?- I'm OK.
0:55:05 > 0:55:09During six months in Afghanistan, The Counter IED Task Force
0:55:09 > 0:55:13removed 500 bombs from the ground.
0:55:13 > 0:55:17Three of their soldiers were killed and seven became amputees.
0:55:17 > 0:55:23Counter IED Task Force, stand at ease.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29It's right as we gather as a Task Force to celebrate our return,
0:55:29 > 0:55:32it's even more important to remember
0:55:32 > 0:55:36Dave, Will and Charlie,
0:55:36 > 0:55:40to pray for them and their families and friends.
0:55:40 > 0:55:44And to also hold in our prayers Lisa Head and her family
0:55:44 > 0:55:49who died yesterday whilst serving on operations.
0:55:49 > 0:55:54When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow
0:55:54 > 0:55:56we gave our today.
0:56:01 > 0:56:05APPLAUSE
0:56:07 > 0:56:10I actually said to my girlfriend... She said one night
0:56:10 > 0:56:15she feels so lucky that I'm home and I said to her we are lucky,
0:56:15 > 0:56:19we don't even know how close we come.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23The IEDs which we didn't find and which didn't go off
0:56:23 > 0:56:25we might have just stepped over.
0:56:25 > 0:56:28We are lucky. Everyone says, "How was it out there?"
0:56:28 > 0:56:31And you say, "Yeah, I'm lucky to come back with two legs."
0:56:31 > 0:56:35And that sounds extreme but it's true. It definitely is true.
0:56:50 > 0:56:52Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:56:52 > 0:56:54Email: subtitling@bbc.co.uk