A mortar team from 16 Air Assault Brigade on the move in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, in 2008

Digital photograph by Sergeant Ian Houlding, Royal Logistic Corps, 2008.

In 2008 elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade, including the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, were deployed to the mountainous province of Zabul, near the border with Pakistan.

These soldiers are carrying equipment including two 81 mm mortar tubes and a base plate. The mortars, which can fire high explosive, smoke or illumination rounds provide infantry and airborne forces with much-needed support, with a maximum range of 5,650 metres.