A huge flock of pigeons fly into the air behind two women standing by the Kabul River. In the background is the Shah Dashamshara Mosque. In June 2011, President Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but there is currently no end date for the war in the troubled country. Helmand is the largest province in Afghanistan, and the heart of the war against terror. Commanders on the ground have described the situation as the most brutal conflict the British Army has been involved in since the Korean War. Much of the fighting between NATO and Taliban forces is taking place in this province and Helmand is a true Taliban stronghold. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region. With these images I am trying to show a softer side to this troubled area of Afghanistan.