Afghanistan diary - day 5

In the last diary entry I wrote about the problems facing the strategy of President Obama and Gordon Brown for success in Afghanistan. Today, it's all about whether the plan could succeed and the efforts of the two armies to make it work.

The British soldiers sent as reinforcements to Afghanistan by the prime minister have now arrived and are starting their training.

The 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) are learning how to spot IEDs - or roadside bombs.

Next year President Obama's 30,000 extra US troops will arrive too.

But a major part of what both armies will be doing will be to train local Afghan army and police forces so they can eventually take over the security of the country.

'Aim and fire'

Under the gigantic mountains of Helmand Province east and west come together: it's about working as a team.

The British soldiers are teaching the Afghan army how to aim and fire.

But it doesn't go without challenges. The language barrier is a big one, as Sergeant Major Scott McNair told me: "You've got to be mellow, chill out a bit, they are not us, they don't do the things we do.

"But you've got to try and go with the flow, have little compromises, and as long as they feel they're not losing face, then they'll work quite hard."

The implication is clear - Afghan soldiers have a different mindset and work ethic from their British and American counterparts.

This week nearly 150 Royal Welsh Fusiliers arrived in Afghanistan and many will work here at Camp Shorabak to mentor the Afghan forces.

But before that, they've got to go through some of their own training - how to detect IEDs.

'Impressive kit'

One Fusilier told me: "The kit is brilliant, so it's pretty good. Very impressive what you learn here.

"It's better learning here and you're getting your mistakes here than out on the ground."

Roadside bombs are the biggest killer of British and Afghan troops here in Afghanistan.

This training is designed to save lives and limbs. Nobody's allowed on the front line unless they go through this course.

The knowledge is then shared with the Afghan forces. It's hoped working hand in hand will reduce casualties and defeat the Taliban.

The goal is clear. How long will it take? Only time will tell...