POSTCARD FROM HELMAND
Helmand province, in the country's barren southwest, is Afghanistan's largest province and has been at the heart of the so called War on Terror hurriedly launched by President George W. Bush following the 9/11 attacks on the US. Away from the news and violence, however, I tried to discover a different sort of Helmand than the one invoked in the news reports. With the Helmand River running through this desert landscape these images are intended to convey a softer, more gentle side to this battlefield that has confounded so many foreign armies.
A group of boys leaping and jumping as they run through a back lane in a mud brick village. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
An aerial view of the dry, low hills near Camp Bastion. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
Two women wearing blue burqas walk through an alleyway after leaving a market in Lashkar Gah. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
A huge flock of pigeons fly into the air behind two women standing by the Kabul River. In the background is the Shah Dashamshara Mosque. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
Three school girls wearing white veils. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
The gunners view from a Danish military helicopter as it flies over the Helmand River. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
Two military helicopters fly out of the British Army base in Lashkar Gar heading to Camp Bastion. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
Soldiers sit in the cargo bay of a helicopter as it flies between Lashkar Gah and Camp Bastion. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
Heavy traffic in a street outside the Abdul Rahman Mosque. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
A soldier calls his girlfriend from Camp Bastion. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
Soldiers play volleyball at night in Camp Bastion. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
A tattered green cloth hangs from a pole in a graveyard. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
A money changer holds a thick wad of Afghanis while doing business in a market. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
A group of American soldiers take a break in one of Camp Bastion’s cafes. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
An aerial view of the Helmand River sparkling with reflected sunshine. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
A boys eats in bright sunshine in a roadside cafe. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
Children play beneath the bare trees growing at the edge of a mud brick village. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
A man leads a camel past a heavily fortified police building. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
A woman wearing a burqa is silhouetted against the lights illuminating an underpass. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.
Bare trees stand out from a barren landscape with snowy mountain ridges in the background. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.