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it would be political suicide to remove air support from Afghanistan - either through the consequences to UK troops or the loss of influence with the US and NATO. We don't have much capability left, throwing away the last vestiges of international credibility would be the end of our influence."
So true. UK Fast Air is not in Afghanistan just to support the UK. It has been there from 2004, before the British Army moved into Helmand in 2006, and ever since has been on call to support whoever needs it.