David Beckham hails 'amazing' troops on visit to Afghanistan

 
David Beckham gets to grips with some of the military hardware during his visit to Camp Bastion where around 9,000 British soldiers are based

 
Are you sure the safety catch is on? Beckham tests out a heavy machine gun as soldiers look on

 
The footballer is shown one of the weapons used by the troops in Afghanistan

Beckham signing autographs for soldiers from 67 Squadron, 6 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps during his brief visit. The player said he was full of admiration for the men and women serving there

David Beckham paid tribute today to the "amazing" work of British troops in Afghanistan during a visit to the country.

The footballer posed for pictures and signed autographs for troops in Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, where around 9,000 British soldiers are based.

In temperatures hitting 45C the player was shown round the camp and even given a lesson in how to handle weapons.
'You know I've been here just one night so far and the experience has been even more than I could have ever hoped,' he said in an interview with BFBS: British Forces News.


Senior aircraftsman SAC Madeline Rowe from RAF Odiham has her picture taken with the player

Beckham in side an RAF C-17 aircraft gets ready to land at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan

 
In temperatures hitting 45c, the LA Galaxy player has his photo taken with an grinning unnamed soldier from the Royal Logistic Corp

And smile: Troops from the UK Role 3 Hospital pose with the footballer at the camp in Afghanistan

To see the morale of the troops is really incredible. It first kind of hit me on the way over when we were on the military plane flying in to Afghanistan. You can see the faces, you can see obviously they know they are leaving their families, but they're so focused and they've got this look in their eyes that they're just so confident and just ready.

'That really is an unbelievable sight to see, and you feel it as well.'

Beckham started his day with full English breakfast in the cookhouse before taking part in a question and answer session with troops, signing autographs and visiting the camp's hospital.

Squadron Leader Sarah Charters, who runs the emergency unit at the hospital, told him about the work they do.

She said: "A visit like this means a lot to everyone here.It is an absolute honour to work in an environment like this where I know I am contributing to help save lives and David's visit reminds everyone at home of what we actually do here.'

Beckham also received a lesson in weapon handling from Craftsman Bob Floy, from Doncaster, who showed him how to use different weapons including a heavy machine gun.

With temperatures in the camp reaching 45C (113F), the star then visited the HQ of 40 Commando where he joined senior officers cooling off their feet in a paddling pool.

He also visited 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles and took part in a penalty challenge with them, and scored with his only attempt.

The 35-year-old former England captain, who made his name at Manchester United before going on to play for Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan, flew out of RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, yesterday.

He said: "Just yesterday one of the troops was killed, and you feel it and you see the flags at half-mast and you feel the tension there. It really is, like I said, amazing to be around but you feel the love from everybody.

'It just really is scary work. These guys are the bravest people that I've ever met and it really is, it truly is, an honour to be here.'