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@ Bob Ainsworth
Secretary of State for Defence June 2009 - May 2010

Hi, My husband is currently serving out there in Afghanistan. I can see the operational minutes have increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes since tours in the past and also the new Textlink facilities... Show more »Hi,

My husband is currently serving out there in Afghanistan. I can see the operational minutes have increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes since tours in the past and also the new Textlink facilities out there. However I do feel given the number of years we have been there allbiet some of the areas are new terriority..why is it that there is still an ongoing problem with Sat Phones/ Textlink equipment? It is so scarce on the ground at FOB's and CP's. The end result is yes the Operational Welfare package is good out there but only to those who have the means to utilise it fully. Surely this should be taken into consideration out there. Ie, a worker in bastion gets paid LSA but a worker at a CP (some with no welfare facilities and very basic living conditions) gets the same...surely Unpleasant living allowance should also be awarded. At present there doesnt seem to be no recognition on the very different working/living environments people work with out there. My husband may get 30 minutes a week but when they wait for new phones/repairs or move to new areas they arent always able to use there welfare package. I think this is an area where there is room for improvement..morale is important in these situations and when the welfare package isnt availible/fully availible these guys need recognition for that. I mean its a very different living environment when you eat out of a bag...toilet into a bag, sleep in a bag and live out of a bag and shower from a bag with no electricity etc. Not that our men dont cope well with it they do, but these conditions are unpleasant jus like a chef's are out there. I think my point is a valid one and eagerly await your response. Show less »

Submitted by: Joanne | 13 votes for this..

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