BBC Home Explore the BBC Last Updated: Wednesday, 30 April 2008,
06:55 GMT 07:55 UK Afghanistan diary: day four Newsbeat's Tulip
Mazumdar and Andy Brownstone are in Afghanistan for a special
series of programmes looking at life on the front line for
British soldiers and seeing how things have changed for the
ordinary people of Afghanistan. In the fourth instalment of
their diary, Andy gets to fly in a Chinook helicopter and fire a
machine gun.  2 Para practice their firing skills on the range 2
Para practise their firing skills on the range  Today is boy's
day.  We fly out from Camp Bastion to one of the Forward
Operating Bases (FOBs) in a Chinook helicopter. The noise, heat
and wind generated by the rotor blades as you approach the rear
entrance is unbelievable.  They cram as many men and kit in as
possible. It's no secret that there aren't enough helicopters or
pilots, so every inch of space is vital.  Body armour and
helmets are mandatory because daytime flights like this can
attract unwanted attention fro