How British Soldiers Returned from Camp Bastion and the Airports Involved

The story of the British soldiers' journey from Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, and their return to the UK is as multi-faceted as it is complex. This article explores the various methods and airports used during the evacuation process.

Evacuation Routes and Methods

The evacuation from Camp Bastion to the UK did not follow a single path. The journey often involved multiple phases, including helicopter flyovers and airlifts. For instance, one journey might have entailed flying by a Lynx helicopter from Bastion to Kandahar, and then onto Kabul via a C-130 aircraft before making the final leg to the UK via Dubai. This route was one of the most direct options and involved commercial flights.

However, for a significant portion of the flights, the journey was more indirect. Many flights originated from Bastion or Kandahar Airfield (KAF), with the final destination being Cyprus. From Cyprus, the soldiers were then transported to the UK using C-17 Globemaster III or Tristar aircraft, primarily landing at Brize Norton.

Experience of the Author

As a personal account, I can share my own experience. Out of three flights, two of them involved flying from Bastion to Kandahar with a Hercules aircraft before heading to the UK via Brize Norton. The other time, I was on a C130 flight from Bastion to Al Udeid Air Base in the UAE, followed by a flight back to Birmingham.

Historically, soldiers were evacuated from either Kandahar or Bastion back to the UK. However, due to the evolving situation, the base at Bastion is no longer a UK facility. With a greater emphasis on our presence in Kabul, there has been a shift towards using Kabul International Airport (KAIA) as the primary embarkation point for returning to the UK via Cyprus.

Use of Airfields and Bases

The primary military airfield at the time of the evacuation was Bastion Airfield in southern Afghanistan. This airfield was significant for its strategic position in the region. However, with the handover of Bastion to the Afghan National Army, the base was renamed to Camp Shorbak and saw the last of its UK troops flying out for their return to the UK.

The UK has several military airfields for the reception of returning soldiers, with Brize Norton being one of the most prominent. This airfield has a long history of receiving personnel and equipment from overseas operations, making it a logical choice for this particular evacuation process.

The key takeaway is that the journey from Camp Bastion to the UK was not a one-size-fits-all process. The use of various airports, airfields, and aircraft types underscored the complexity of the evacuation and the flexibility required in such operations.