An SBS/SAS operator in CT gear prepares to assault ship – note gas mask, knife inverted on right chest, MP5 submachine gun and Sig Sauer pistol on hip.
An SBS/SAS operator in CT gear prepares to assault ship – note gas mask, knife inverted on right chest, MP5 submachine gun and Sig Sauer pistol on hip.
SBS/SAS operators fast rope 90 feet from a Chinook MH47 helicopter onto the target in the English Channel, poised to hit the ship like a whirlwind.
SBS/SAS operators fast rope 90 feet from a Chinook MH47 helicopter onto the target in the English Channel, poised to hit the ship like a whirlwind.
SBS/SAS operators fast rope from a Sea King helicopter onto the target ship and rush into their battle positions. Any terrorists on board will be killed or captured.
SBS/SAS operators fast rope from a Sea King helicopter onto the target ship and rush into their battle positions. Any terrorists on board will be killed or captured.
Smiles all round as SBS/SAS operators pose with beers and an MV Nisha life ring after they have successfully taken down the ship and stopped her reaching London.
Smiles all round as SBS/SAS operators pose with beers and an MV Nisha life ring after they have successfully taken down the ship and stopped her reaching London.
SBS operators on exercises in Norway. Arctic warfare is an integral part of the SBS’s intensive training, which rivals that of the SAS.
SBS operators on exercises in Norway. Arctic warfare is an integral part of the SBS’s intensive training, which rivals that of the SAS.
Having just warned his men to ‘treat the vehicles with a little respect’, SBS CSM Bob Wort drives his OSV over a crevasse, completely wrecking it.
Having just warned his men to ‘treat the vehicles with a little respect’, SBS CSM Bob Wort drives his OSV over a crevasse, completely wrecking it.
Afghanistan’s national sport, Bushkasi, involves riders fighting to drag a goat around a racetrack on horseback. As with many things in Afghanistan, anything goes.
Afghanistan’s national sport, Bushkasi, involves riders fighting to drag a goat around a racetrack on horseback. As with many things in Afghanistan, anything goes.
BoySoldier-NA: Northern Alliance forces fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda included boy soldiers like this one, proudly sporting his pistol and ammo belt.
BoySoldier-NA: Northern Alliance forces fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda included boy soldiers like this one, proudly sporting his pistol and ammo belt.
The hangar at Bagram airbase where SBS, SAS and Delta Force made their headquarters. Wrecked Soviet fighter aircraft lie to the front, a reminder of how past superpowers came to grief in Afghanistan.
The hangar at Bagram airbase where SBS, SAS and Delta Force made their headquarters. Wrecked Soviet fighter aircraft lie to the front, a reminder of how past superpowers came to grief in Afghanistan.
Upon arrival in ‘the Stan’, the SBS lads put down thousands of rounds on the ranges, zeroing in their weapons for the fight that was to come.
Upon arrival in ‘the Stan’, the SBS lads put down thousands of rounds on the ranges, zeroing in their weapons for the fight that was to come.
The Squad Assault Weapon (SAW) Minimi 5.56 mm drum-fed machine gun gets put through its paces on the ranges.
The Squad Assault Weapon (SAW) Minimi 5.56 mm drum-fed machine gun gets put through its paces on the ranges.
A 40mm grenade scores a direct hit out on the ranges – a devastating weapon of choice for the SBS lads waging war in Afghanistan.
A 40mm grenade scores a direct hit out on the ranges – a devastating weapon of choice for the SBS lads waging war in Afghanistan.
At Bagram airbase SBS lads practise assaulting from a vehicle and ambush, as they prepared to do battle with the terrorists.
At Bagram airbase SBS lads practise assaulting from a vehicle and ambush, as they prepared to do battle with the terrorists.
SBS on a vehicle patrol. They carry Diemaco 5.56 mm assault rifles with under-slung Hechler & Koch 40 mm grenade launchers. A satellite comms antennae can just be seen on the roof of the vehicle.
SBS on a vehicle patrol. They carry Diemaco 5.56 mm assault rifles with under-slung Hechler & Koch 40 mm grenade launchers. A satellite comms antennae can just be seen on the roof of the vehicle.
British, US, Aussie and New Zealand special forces deployed by Chinook on low level flights. One hit from an enemy stinger and this chopper would be blasted out of the sky.
British, US, Aussie and New Zealand special forces deployed by Chinook on low level flights. One hit from an enemy stinger and this chopper would be blasted out of the sky.
Flying in line astern, MH47 Chinooks deployed special forces teams deep into hostile Afghan terrain.
Flying in line astern, MH47 Chinooks deployed special forces teams deep into hostile Afghan terrain.
A C130 Hercules delivers vital supplies to the SBS lads, as they prepare for their mission to assault ‘the mother of all terror training camps’.
A C130 Hercules delivers vital supplies to the SBS lads, as they prepare for their mission to assault ‘the mother of all terror training camps’.
US Delta Force operators head into the Naka Valley with their British SBS brothers-in-arms. A rocky river bed provides the only route in.
US Delta Force operators head into the Naka Valley with their British SBS brothers-in-arms. A rocky river bed provides the only route in.
US Delta Force operators head into the Naka Valley with their British SBS brothers-in-arms. A rocky river bed provides the only route in.
The SBS team on the climb into the Naka Valley, location of the ‘mother of all terror training camps’. CIA Bob is second from left, clutching a packet of ‘inedible’ British army ration biscuits!
SBS troopers on climb into Naka OP, carrying 100-pound bergens and with Diemaco assault rifle and Minimi SAW machine gun held at the ready.
SBS troopers on climb into Naka OP, carrying 100-pound bergens and with Diemaco assault rifle and Minimi SAW machine gun held at the ready.
SBS soldiers on climb into the Naka Valley hit the snow line. As well as all their cold weather gear, they’re each carrying 500 rounds of ammo, grenades, comms kit, food rations for a week and nine litres of water.
SBS soldiers on climb into the Naka Valley hit the snow line. As well as all their cold weather gear, they’re each carrying 500 rounds of ammo, grenades, comms kit, food rations for a week and nine litres of water.
The Naka Valley observation post (OP), at 12,000 feet, overlooking ‘the mother of all terror training camps’. The SBS team spent a week here in freezing conditions, surrounded by the enemy and running out of water.
The Naka Valley observation post (OP), at 12,000 feet, overlooking ‘the mother of all terror training camps’. The SBS team spent a week here in freezing conditions, surrounded by the enemy and running out of water.
An SBS operator keeps watch over a ‘terrorist training camp’ in the Naka Valley. A Nikon D1 digital camera is used for close observation work.
An SBS operator keeps watch over a ‘terrorist training camp’ in the Naka Valley. A Nikon D1 digital camera is used for close observation work.
Using a Katadyn filter dehydrated SBS soldiers extract life-saving water from a seepage at the foot of the mountain.
Using a Katadyn filter dehydrated SBS soldiers extract life-saving water from a seepage at the foot of the mountain.
Naka Valley elders peer into the vehicles carrying the special forces soldiers – as they befriend the villagers, instead of blasting them into oblivion.
Naka Valley elders peer into the vehicles carrying the special forces soldiers – as they befriend the villagers, instead of blasting them into oblivion.
Having been sent in to flatten the ‘terror training camps’ of the Naka Valley, the SBS soldiers realise the valley is full of women and children.
Having been sent in to flatten the ‘terror training camps’ of the Naka Valley, the SBS soldiers realise the valley is full of women and children.
SBS, CIA and Delta Force operators meet the locals. Forty-eight hours earlier they had been poised to bomb their village back into the stone age.
SBS, CIA and Delta Force operators meet the locals. Forty-eight hours earlier they had been poised to bomb their village back into the stone age.
SBS soldiers in cave entrance. They fought their way into caverns in Afghanistan, and found huge caches of Al Qaeda and Taliban weaponry.
SBS soldiers in cave entrance. They fought their way into caverns in Afghanistan, and found huge caches of Al Qaeda and Taliban weaponry.
Subterranean tunnels were terrorist bases holding huge caches of Al Qaeda and Taliban weapons, which were destroyed by UK special forces.
Subterranean tunnels were terrorist bases holding huge caches of Al Qaeda and Taliban weapons, which were destroyed by UK special forces.
Hiding their faces with their turbans, the foreign Taliban prisoners arrive at Qala-I-Janghi fortress by the truck-load.
Hiding their faces with their turbans, the foreign Taliban prisoners arrive at Qala-I-Janghi fortress by the truck-load.
One of the entraceways to Qala-I-Janghi. Its massive mud walls made the ancient fortress all but invulnerable to Allied airpower.
One of the entraceways to Qala-I-Janghi. Its massive mud walls made the ancient fortress all but invulnerable to Allied airpower.
Putting down fire with their Diemaco assault rifles from the fort battlements. 8 SBS soldiers were sent in to quell an uprising in the fort by hundreds of Al Qaeda and Taliban prisoners.
Putting down fire with their Diemaco assault rifles from the fort battlements. 8 SBS soldiers were sent in to quell an uprising in the fort by hundreds of Al Qaeda and Taliban prisoners.
Northern Alliance soldiers shelter from the devastating incoming fire as they prepare their weapons for battle.
Northern Alliance soldiers shelter from the devastating incoming fire as they prepare their weapons for battle.
A Northern Alliance fighter takes aim on enemy positions from the fort battlements with his AK47.
A Northern Alliance fighter takes aim on enemy positions from the fort battlements with his AK47.
SBS soldier runs across fort battlements, as smoke from the battle rises above the interior of the fort.
SBS soldier runs across fort battlements, as smoke from the battle rises above the interior of the fort.
As SBS soldier Stevie ‘Ruff’ Pouncer pounds enemy position with his GPMG, fellow SB operator Jamie ‘Bomber’ Brian adds an extra belt of ammo.
As SBS soldier Stevie ‘Ruff’ Pouncer pounds enemy position with his GPMG, fellow SB operator Jamie ‘Bomber’ Brian adds an extra belt of ammo.
SBS soldier Stevie ‘Ruff’ Pouncer pours down fire from his ‘Gimpy’, as he and his SBS mates try to stop the Taliban and Al Qaeda enemy breaking out of fort.
SBS soldier Stevie ‘Ruff’ Pouncer pours down fire from his ‘Gimpy’, as he and his SBS mates try to stop the Taliban and Al Qaeda enemy breaking out of fort.
With SBS soldiers ‘malleting’ the enemy positions from the fort battlements, a Toyota pickup bursts into flames as its fuel tank explodes.
With SBS soldiers ‘malleting’ the enemy positions from the fort battlements, a Toyota pickup bursts into flames as its fuel tank explodes.
British SBS wore civvies, as opposed to the US special forces. A satellite comms device sits atop the fort battlements, to call in airstrikes. Just below the comms aerial is a white dove. When two of these birds flew into battle with the SBS rescue party, it was seen as a sign that they were going to live.
British SBS wore civvies, as opposed to the US special forces. A satellite comms device sits atop the fort battlements, to call in airstrikes. Just below the comms aerial is a white dove. When two of these birds flew into battle with the SBS rescue party, it was seen as a sign that they were going to live.
Tracer rounds spark off the battlements as dusk descends over the fort and there is no sign of a let up in the ferocious battle.
Tracer rounds spark off the battlements as dusk descends over the fort and there is no sign of a let up in the ferocious battle.
At dawn on day two of the fort battle an errant US airstrike targets friendly forces with a 2000-pound JDAM. A T55 tank is blown in two, and dozens of SBS, US special forces and Northern Alliance troops are killed and wounded.
At dawn on day two of the fort battle an errant US airstrike targets friendly forces with a 2000-pound JDAM. A T55 tank is blown in two, and dozens of SBS, US special forces and Northern Alliance troops are killed and wounded.
Northern Alliance soldiers survey the scene of devastation where a US airstrike hit friendly forces, blowing up a T55 tank and its crew and killing and wounding dozens of SBS, US and Afghan fighters.
Northern Alliance soldiers survey the scene of devastation where a US airstrike hit friendly forces, blowing up a T55 tank and its crew and killing and wounding dozens of SBS, US and Afghan fighters.
The errant US airstrike by a 2000-pound JDAM reduced the northeastern tower of the fort to ruins, burying scores of SBS, US special forces and Afghan troops beneath the rubble.
The errant US airstrike by a 2000-pound JDAM reduced the northeastern tower of the fort to ruins, burying scores of SBS, US special forces and Afghan troops beneath the rubble.
As day three of the fort siege dawns, the bloated carcasses of dead horses litter the battlefield, alongside wrecked military equipment. Starving enemy resorted to eating the horse flesh to try to stay alive.
As day three of the fort siege dawns, the bloated carcasses of dead horses litter the battlefield, alongside wrecked military equipment. Starving enemy resorted to eating the horse flesh to try to stay alive.
On the morning of day four of the fort siege Northern Alliance forces prepare to drive a Sovietera T55 tank into the southern half of the fort, and assault the enemy stronghold.
On the morning of day four of the fort siege Northern Alliance forces prepare to drive a Sovietera T55 tank into the southern half of the fort, and assault the enemy stronghold.
At first light on Day 6 the SBS soldiers finally enter the southern end of the fort and the enemy stronghold – keeping to the cover of the trees as they do so.
At first light on Day 6 the SBS soldiers finally enter the southern end of the fort and the enemy stronghold – keeping to the cover of the trees as they do so.
The fort ammo store had been targeted by a US C130 Spectre gunship, the resulting explosion incinerating the machine guns and crates of ammo.
The fort ammo store had been targeted by a US C130 Spectre gunship, the resulting explosion incinerating the machine guns and crates of ammo.
An SBS soldier inspects mortar rounds in the enemy stronghold. Luckily most were in bad condition and failed to explode when they hit British and US positions.
An SBS soldier inspects mortar rounds in the enemy stronghold. Luckily most were in bad condition and failed to explode when they hit British and US positions.
Blasted remains of the entrance to the enemy stronghold in the basement beneath the fort. Eighty-six enemy soldiers held out down there for seven days.
Blasted remains of the entrance to the enemy stronghold in the basement beneath the fort. Eighty-six enemy soldiers held out down there for seven days.
The fort basement immediately after the enemy have been forced to surrender. Discarded weaponry lies amongst the rubble of airstrikes.
The fort basement immediately after the enemy have been forced to surrender. Discarded weaponry lies amongst the rubble of airstrikes.