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British women serve in one of the most dangerous parts of Helmand. They know the Pashtun language, make contact and communicate with Afghan women. But even in such a harsh environment, the woman is always a woman. She always take a sunblock on a mission, so that she won't get a sunburn.
1. Lt Jessica Scarlett French on patrol. After being given language and cultural training, the task of a Female Engagement O fficer is to gain the support and trust of Afghan women (AllisonBaskerville)
2. Show and tell: Lieutenant French speaks to a crowd of mostly women. She believes education is key to a brighter future for female Afghans (AllisonBaskerville)
3. Wash and go: Photojournalist Alison Baskerville wanted to capture 'the alternative view of life on the front line for women'. Her photos will be on display at the Oxo Tower Gallery from 11 November. (AllisonBaskerville)
4. Foot patrol: Lieutenant French takes time in between patrols to clean her personal weapon, a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol (AllisonBaskerville)
5. Downtime: A female solider puts her feet up in front of the television to catch up on Downton Abbey.(AllisonBaskerville)
6. We're all in this together: Men and women carry out washing duties without the help of modern conveniences side by side…(AllisonBaskerville)
7. The essentials: Toiletries including deodorants, hair products, mouthwash and moisturising creams take pride of place on a makeshift dressing table.(AllisonBaskerville)
8. Trooping the colour: Brightly coloured women's underwear stands out against a dull background and more conventional items of military uniform. (AllisonBaskerville)
9. Forty winks: A female officer catches up on some sleep in her makeshift home before duty calls. (AllisonBaskerville)
10. Ready for action: Captain Crossley, a nurse at UCL hosptial on a six-month tour in Afghanistan, stands in full military gear against a backdrop of mountains. (AllisonBaskerville)
12. Alison Baskerville's photographs provide a fascinating insight not only into the work female soliders do but also how Afghan communities survive. (AllisonBaskerville)
13. Expectant: Captain Crossley is pictured in the Upper Gereshk Valley of Helmand. Here she kneels down as she joins a patrol to see whether she can access a local Afghan compund in the hope that she may meet women and children.(AllisonBaskerville)
14. Getting kitted up: Two female soliders prepare to head out on a joint patrol to engage with local Afghan families to train them in basic veterinary care. It is often the children's responsibility to look after the goats for the family. (AllisonBaskerville)
15. The human element: Baskerville was keen to capture the ordinary parts of a solider's day. Here, Lance Corporal Rachel Clayton ties her hair in a french plait to keep it tidy under her helmet. (AllisonBaskerville)
16. Captain Crossley heads out to join soldiers from 3 Rifles as they prepare for a patrol to help her gain entry into a local compound (AllisonBaskerville)
17. Captain Crossley (pictured) said one of the highlights of her tour was 'seeing the absolute fascination of women in the compound when I removed my helmet and glasses to speak to them in their own language.' (AllisonBaskerville)
18. Thinking of you: Captain Crossley receives a parcel from home at least once a week. Her mother, Carol usually fills it full of items such as rosehip tea and sweets (AllisonBaskerville)
20. Breaktime: The women take a break after practising their marching skills. Although the training takes place in a separate facility to the men, they are pushing for the women to graduate alongside the male soldiers. (AllisonBaskerville)
21. Captain Alice Homer is an officer with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. She has just spent six months running a small section of soldiers in Camp Bastion (AllisonBaskerville)
22. Lietenant French has her boyfriend and family back in the UK. When away, she looks forward to getting back into her favourite sport, sky diving.(AllisonBaskerville)
23. Lieutenant French sits down with Gulali who said: 'When I meet soldiers like Jess I hope that women from Afghanistan will see her and also want to put on a uniform, get a job and learn to be independent.'. (AllisonBaskerville)
