A private from 1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment sits in a doorway whilst working with Iraqi policemen during security operations around Basra, June 2004

Digital photograph taken by WO2 Giles Penfound, Army Media Operations, Operation TELIC, 30 June 2004.

The British soldier is carrying a Para Minimi, a shortened version of the Belgian 5.56 mm mini machine gun, with a standard Nato 30-round magazine.

Soldiers of 6 Platoon 'B' Company, call signs Three Zero Alpha and Bravo, provided multiple patrols around the Local Government headquarters Building in Basra to protect against possible attacks from militants, on what should have been the first day of Iraqi Independence.

The patrols started at 06:45 in the morning and lasted for the whole day with soldiers supporting the local Iraqi police force. With the exception of normal criminal activity it was a very quiet day and failed to live up to the dire expectations of some. As a result of their aggressive patrolling attacks on their base location decreased during their tour of duty.