007 drops in on UK Helmand troops

Daniel Craig has paid a surprise visit to British personnel stationed at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. The James Bond actor joined 800 soldiers, sailors and airmen at the base in Helmand Province as they prepared to watch the latest instalment in the spy series, Skyfall. Daniel, 44, went on a "morale-boosting" tour of the camp and saw soldiers train before they deploy to forward operating bases. The visit saw him call in on patients and medical staff at the camp's state-of-the-art Bastion Role 3 Hospital and go for a spin in the newly-introduced Foxhound armoured vehicle. But in true 007 fashion, Daniel was not fazed by the Forces' latest hi-tech gadget, which is designed to protect troops as they patrol the war-torn country's perilous roads. Force Master Driver Rob Ingham, who gave a demonstration of the Foxhound's capabilities, said: "We get quite a lot of visitors here, but having James Bond was special. "He seemed to be pretty comfortable in the driving seat." On a final stop, the actor was taught techniques used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Search Task Force teams to search for roadside bombs. Squadron Sergeant Major Paul Ward said: "His interest in the work of the EOD and Search Task Force is really appreciated. "Our training is critical to keeping Afghans and our own soldiers safe."