Simon Hart has spent a weekend at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan as part of a fact finding mission to learn more about the work of our Armed Forces and the Afghan National Army.

Whilst there he met soldiers from south west Wales serving with the Queen's Dragoon Guards (pictured) who had sadly had two colleagues killed the previous day when their vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb.

"The highlight of the trip was a remarkable demonstration by the bomb disposal team and their dogs (pictured)," said Mr Hart.

"It is almost impossible to describe the dangers that they routinely face and the sheer physical demands of carrying 65 kilos of kit in 45 degrees heat whilst they work.

"We tried it on and just the thought of having to patrol over large distances for hours at a time is exhausting.

"But there was not a word of complaint from the soldiers. The demo showed how the dogs work. Once they've done their bit then the team have to crawl up to it and use their fingers to expose the wire and remove or destroy it."

During his visit to the 37 square-mile base Mr Hart was also shown the full range of armoured vehicles and weaponry used by the British Forces and the Camp's Memorial Wall, which is covered in the photos of all those soldiers who have lost their lives in the war. Amongst them is that of Marine Dean Mead from Carmarthen who died in May this year.

"Coming so soon after Remembrance Day this was a very sobering and real reminder of the dangers faced by our forces every day," added Mr Hart.