After decades in the Royal Marines, Andrew Canning spent four years working for coalition forces in Afghanistan as a civilian. During his time there, he met extraordinarily committed and brave civilians, not only on the program he was delivering but involved in supporting military forces in many other areas of the conflict. Coming to Afghanistan from across the globe, these civilians were making varied, crucial contributions to the conflict, much of it unseen to external observers.

Canning brings his unique perspective to examine the part of civilians in supporting modern military operations, especially in campaigns of long duration. He was particularly impressed by the fortitude and resilience of those ensconced in some of the most remote forward operating bases in Taliban bandit-country and under repeated attack – isolated and utterly reliant on ISAF protection. He also explains some of the trials and tribulations of daily life for those living in a war zone, especially for civilians that do benefit from the “umbrella” of national government protection and provision, and pays tribute to the unheralded civilians who worked to the common good in Afghanistan.