Threat means we can never switch off

ARMED with just a metal detector and body armour, Robin Lawrence steps out of the Mastiff armoured patrol vehicle and into unknown territory.

Ahead of him lies 2km of desert land which could be riddled with explosives. It's a deadly game which he can't afford to lose.

It can take up to three hours to clear 100m, so it requires nerves of steel.

"It's a nervous situation," said the 21-year-old. "Before we came out here we didn't really know what the threat was. There hadn't been many horror stories.

"But I am ticking off the days of my tour now," said Robin, from Chatham. "I am so close."

Robin came out with Lance Corporal Gareth Kehoe. The pair, both on their first tours of Afghanistan, have been out on the ground for five months.

"My family don't actually know I am doing this job," said Robin. "I haven't told them what I'm doing. They think I'm just sitting safely in Camp Bastion."

Gareth, 22, from Newport, South Wales, said: "I have previously done Iraq which was completely different. There was no massive IED threat. Here they are just everywhere. You can't switch off for a minute. Some of the other lads in Helmand can do their job and return to a relaxing place.

"But we are always on standby, always out on the ground.

He added: "I once found an IED that should have gone off as soon as I touched it. There's been a couple of close calls.

"When there's been an incident, I've not told my parents anything. It's easier to carry out your service that way. If you have a problem you can speak to the lads. They've been through it with you."

"It can take up to three hours to clear 100m," said Corporal Kevin Thompson. "The four searchers walk a safe distance from each other while an infantry soldier will keep watch.

"The guys understand what they are looking for, what the ground should look like."

The IED team has suffered considerable losses but it doesn't deter the men from doing their job."