At home in Himalayas

Glorious: After snowfalls and temperatures of -9 a sunny break in the weather reveals the spectacular location of Camp Bradman on the Pakistan side of the Kashmir Line of Control.

Personnel place plastic sheeting over the tents to reduce snow build-up as the camp prepares for the full onslaught of a Himalayan winter. Photos by Flt-Lt Trevor Grant

First class: In an effort to minimise the impact of the harsh winter weather on local people, Pte Kyle Potter, LCpl Akram of the Pakistan Army and LCpl Ryan Lock help rebuild the local school after storms and heavy snowfalls demolished temporary school rooms at Dhanni. Photo by Flt-Lt Trevor Grant

By Flt-Lt Trevor Grant

“AND now for the weather ...

Camp Bradman can expect extreme cold conditions with heavy snowfalls. Temperatures will reach a low of -15 with a top around -4.”

And so the forecast goes for our men and women deployed to Camp Bradman as part of Op Pakistan Assist.

It’s here, high in the Himalayan mountains, that they have prepared this little outpost of humanitarian aid the best they can to resist the onslaught of the Himalayan winter.

All of the tents have small heaters and have now been “gift wrapped” in plastic sheeting to help minimise snow build-up. Drains have been dug and pathways constructed.

All personnel have been issued with extreme cold weather clothing.

There is a nice little coal fire that keeps us warm while we have a brew and a chat, and we all get hot meals, albeit from ration packs, every day; and thanks to the comms guys, we get to call home every now and then.

This 80 sq m is our little slice of home.

Our job goes on and everyone here gets on with it. There is no grumbling. We do the best we can, and we do it in the same spirit as service men and women before us.

And apart from the satisfaction of helping those in need, it’s rewarding to wake up every morning to the most remarkable view – the majesty of the surrounding snow-covered mountains truly is postcard material.