AS Bernie Walsh (HAS, June 29) points out, there are valid reasons why our troops are in Afghanistan, and media coverage makes it absolutely clear that they are doing a magnificent job there.

What is also made clear by media coverage, however, is that they are having to make do with inadequate equipment.

Their weaponry is inferior to that of the Taliban and, unlike the Americans, they lack properly reinforced vehicles.

The latter, certainly, is a major factor in the heavy casualties they have taken and continue to take.

As I’ve often remarked, the public sector has no problem finding the necessary cash to pay senior civil servants and others their lavish salaries, including bonuses, for doing sweet nothing in comfortable, secure surroundings, but when it comes to providing our lads in Helmand Province with vitally-needed equipment and adequate protection, it’s a very different story.

Tony Kelly, Crook, Co Durham.

I MUST reply to Bernie Walsh’s letter about Afghanistan (HAS, June 29). I went over there last year to work for an American contractor at Kandahar airfield and saw for myself what an obscene waste of money this war is.

We shouldn’t be there, it’s not our war, and we definitely are being lapdogs to the Americans, believe me.

I saw thousands of British troops who certainly are not fighting anybody. All they do is go jogging all day and feed in the huge NAAFIs.

The Americans need that airstrip to keep an eye on Iran.

Just have a look at the map, it’s obvious.

Afghanistan is the absolute pits; the people can’t or won’t work, but please spare me all this “threat” talk about the Taliban.

It’s not our problem, it’s costing this country millions – and for what end? – and even more, the loss of soldiers who shouldn’t be there.

Name supplied, Co Durham.