The Defence Secretary has met with UK military personnel and seen the progress made by the Afghan security forces during his visit to Helmand and Kandahar provinces today (Thursday).

Michael Fallon met members of all three services and supporting civilians during visits to Camp Bastion and Kandahar airfield. He spoke with troops who are working on the major task of returning personnel and equipment to the UK, which is two-thirds complete, and discussed how International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel will conclude their combat role by the end of the year.

During the visit, Mr Fallon met with senior UK and ISAF commanders including Brigadier-General Daniel Yoo, the US Marine Corps Commandant General of Regional Command (South West), and his deputy, Brigadier Rob Thomson who is the most senior UK officer in Helmand.

He also met Brigadier General Zamen Hasan, Chief of Staff, 203 Corps, of the Afghan National Army for an update on the increased capability of the Afghan forces that have been tackling the insurgency in Helmand Province since last summer. Equipped with their own helicopter evacuation capability, the Afghan security forces now lead 99 per cent of security operations and receive only limited support from ISAF.