Commander pays tribute to forces.

THE commander who led British forces' bloodiest tour of Afghanistan since the mission began today praised the "most extraordinary courage and resolve" of his troops.

Brigadier Tim Radford, who yesterday flew home with fellow servicemen, said the men and women of 19 Light Brigade had been "tested to the extreme" but had "delivered".

He handed over control of Task Force Helmand to Brigadier James Cowan over the weekend, landing at RAF Brize Norton with 60 members of the brigade. "Tragically we have lost 66 brave men over this summer period and many more have been wounded and it's been a very hard tour and our thoughts, particularly at this time, go out to the family and the friends of those who have suffered," he said.

"It's been a long tour and its been a tour where we have seen things changed and we have faced an enemy who do not want to fight us force on force, but want to lay improvised explosive devises to halt us in our path." He said the brigade had worked successfully to push the Taliban away from country's population centres.

Highlighting achievements made during the volatile election period, he added: "It is important to mention the progress that has been made in terms of the Afghan national security forces."

Recognising the support shown to troops, he thanked the people of Wootton Bassett, who have lined the streets showing "remarkable respect and dignity to my fallen who have come home."