January 2020 I’m in the back of an unarmed Chinook flying from Hamid Kharzi Military Airport (just at the back of the civilian one) In Kabul, Afghanistan to somewhere I won’t name. I was wearing body armour, Kevlar hat and was strapped in next to a window. The flight was crewed by grizzled, battle hardened, ex US Air Force guys who knew what they were doing, the Chinook didn’t have a tail gate, just a load net, the wheels were kept down in flight and the change overs were done with the rotors running. I was in with a bunch of ‘interesting’ people, many toting some serious firepower. The flight wasn’t that long but going over Kabul at 250ft really focusses the mind. The trip back involved a stop at another base to drop off a dozen or so SF guys en route to Hamid Kharzi. I have some great photo’s of me in the back of the Chinook. Won’t forget that ride in a hurry!