FOR many friends and families across Hampshire, 2009 was greeted with the popping of champagne corks and firework displays, but for serving soldiers from the region, New Year’s Eve was just like any other day – reassuring the people of Afghanistan that they were safe in one of the most hostile places in the world.

Currently in the fourth month of his tour in the notorious Helmand province, Captain Matt Swales from Southampton spent New Year’s Eve preparing for operations with the Warrior Armoured Infantry Group in B Company 1 Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment (1 PWRR).

The 25-year-old from Swaythling has been in the region with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles (2RGR) Battle Group, based out of the Musa Qal’eh District Centre.

B Company is attached to the Royal Gurkhas while the rest of the regiment is on duty in Iraq.

Since operations began in 2001, 138 British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan as armed forces continue their battle against Taliban fighters and insurgents.

Within the first month, Battle Group Capt Swales and his squadron embarked on a series of operations, dubbed Mar Nonu, to allow Afghan people to repopulate areas outside the town without fear of being attacked by the Taliban.

“We conduct a lot of reassurance patrols where we meet local leaders who seem happy with the level of security provided by ourselves and the Afghan National Army,” he said.

“We work with some very good quality interpreters who have bedded in well with us.”

As part of the patrols, two new bases have been set up nearby on the frontlines of the fight against the Taliban.

Capt Swales said the bases Minden and Yubraj – named after senior rifleman Yubraj Rai of the 2nd Battalion who was killed in November last year – have made a significant difference in the area with people returning to work the land.

“The area is becoming more populated and increasingly there are more farmers working around here,” he said.

Having patrolled the area prior to the operation, B Company 1 PWRR had become familiar with the environment and the unforgiving and complex terrain of North West Afghanistan.

Irrigation ditches crossing the landscape make arduous going under foot and the large open spaces can leave troops exposed.

Preparing for his first mission of the year, the former St George’s School pupil takes responsibility for tasking the platoons and assisting with planning the operations.

From inside their compound at the Minden base, B Company occasionally has to return to the main supply and movements hub at Camp Bastion to maintain their vehicles and equipment.

It is a two-day journey through one of the most dangerous regions of Afghanistan and can expose soldiers to the dangers of improvised explosive devices (IED) along the way.

Capt Swales will return to the UK in eight weeks after being away from home for nine months.

When he returns, his brother, Pete Swales, will be deploying to Afghanistan with the RAF Regiment.