Operation TORAL withdrawal: In Pictures

The UK has supported NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan from 2015, now the majority have returned home

Since 2015, the UK Armed Forces have been deployed to the Afghan capital on Operation TORAL. The government has decided to withdraw British troops assigned to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan.

We are marking a new chapter in our relationship with Afghanistan after twenty years ensuring that terrorism never finds a safe haven there again.

The logistical challenge in withdrawing forces is significant and the Royal Air Force has flown more than 50 flights, covering more than 100,000 nautical miles. This includes the return of RAF Puma Helicopters as well as hundreds of passengers.

• RAF Puma Helicopter detachment returns from Afghanistan

Operation TORAL is the name given to the British element of NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.

“The men and women who have served as part of Op TORAL should be immensely proud. They have trained thousands of Afghan troops, helped prevent international terrorism and created the conditions for the Afghan Security Forces to succeed.

“The logistical effort to draw the Operation to a close quickly and safely has been an excellent demonstration of the Armed Forces’ extraordinary professionalism.”

— Brigadier Oliver Brown, Commander of Operation TORAL

📸 Here is their departure from Afghanistan and arrival back in the UK:

British and American soldiers during a flag-lowering ceremony to signify the handover of NKC (New Kabul Compound) to the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) from Coalition Forces.

Soldiers from the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) march up to the flag pole with the Afghanistan Flag ready to raise it, signifying the handover of NKC (New Kabul Compound) from Coalition Forces.

British, American, Danish and Mongolian forces lower their respective flags during a flag-lowering ceremony to signify the handover of NKC (New Kabul Compound) to the Afghanistan National Army from Coalition Forces.

Flag-lowering ceremony to signify the handover of NKC (New Kabul Compound) to the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) from Coalition Forces.

Soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps check serial numbers of weapons that are due to head back to the UK as part of the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan.

A corporal from the Royal Air Force Police documents the contents of boxes due to be sent back to the UK as part of the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan.

Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland check the inventory of boxes that are due to head back to the UK as part of the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan.

An member of the Royal Air Force guides a MAN SV (Support Vehicle) into the back of a C-17 ready to be taken back to the UK.

A member of the Royal Air Force guides a Foxhound Armoured Vehicle into the back of a C-17 ready to be taken back to the UK.

Everything from pallets of equipment to Foxhounds being returned to the UK by the C-17.

Foxhound Armoured Vehicles getting loaded onto the back of a C-17 ready to be taken back to the UK.

Foxhound Armoured Vehicles getting loaded onto the back of a C-17 ready to be taken back to the UK.

Foxhound Armoured Vehicles getting loaded onto the back of a C-17 ready to be taken back to the UK.

Foxhound Armoured Vehicles waiting on the airfield at HKIA (Hamid Karzai International Airport) Kabul, to get loaded onto the back of a C-17 ready to be taken back to the UK.

British soldiers at a closing ceremony, where personnel gathered for the final lowering of the ensign.

Puma helicopters are loaded onto an Antonov AN-225 in preparation for their final flight home to the UK as part of the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan.

The Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas sits on the runway as soldiers from the British Army are transported to it via a shuttle bus at HKIA (Hamid Karzai International Airport) ready to be flown home back to the United Kingdom at the end of their operational tour of Afghanistan on Operation TORAL.

British soldiers at HKIA (Hamid Karzai International Airport) ready to be flown home back to the United Kingdom at the end of their operational tour of Afghanistan on Operation TORAL.

British soldiers arrive at RAF Brize Norton as part of the withdrawal of British forces assigned to the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

Find out where else the UK Armed Forces are deployed here 👇