In pictures: Reporting Afghanistan

At the hub: The media centre is the meeting point for journalists covering the Afghanistan story in Helmand

At the hub: Reporter Mervyn Jess arrives at the media operations centre in Camp Bastion. It is a transit and supply centre for military and visiting journalists from around the world.

Mervyn talks to Col Gerry Mullen who works in the information unit at brigade headquarters in Lash Gar Gah

Getting to work: Mervyn talks to Col Jeremy Mooney from the communications team at brigade headquarters in Lashkar Gah. Col Mooney is a TA member whose civilian job is in public information.

chatting

Scrutiny: Anything written or any interviews carried out by journalists who are embedded with military units are subject to MoD restrictions. Mervyn has footage reviewed by army press officers.

Feel the heat: Mervyn swelters in the 40degree heat of Helmand province

Feel the heat: Mervyn swelters in the 40 degree heat of Helmand province - not helped by the helicopter engine blowing hot fumes into the cabin.

Task Force Helmand

At the helm: Mervyn is pictured with Col Nick Richards who is a familiar face on national television. He is the official Army spokesperson in Helmand.

Fast food outlet

Fast food: This is the equivalent of a military flatpack. Pizza Hut comes complete within a haulage container. It's a little bit of home cooking for soldiers serving overseas.

Mervyn Jess

Safety first: Recording a piece to camera in Camp Bastion means waiting for the dust to settle and making sure you don't get run over by one of the hundreds of heavy military vehicles.

Camp Bastion