NATO-TV

An insight into the emergence of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as an alternative fuel source for motorised vehicles in Afghanistan. LPG conversion on vehicles, after an initial outlay, can bring huge cost saving benefits to motorists and drastically reduce emissions and particulates being pushed into the air.

Especially popular in Jalalabad, where a huge number of three-wheeled motorbike taxis or “tuk tuks” have undergone conversion, specialist outlets providing LPG to motorists have sprung up across the province. Also available in high definition

The running of day-to-day ISAF operations in Afghanistan now has a new commander. Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson has been sworn in at a flag ceremony at ISAF Joint Command. He takes the place of Lt. Gen. Mark Milley who’s just completed his third tour of Afghanistan. The piece includes soundbites from Gen. Joseph Dunford, commander of ISAF, Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, commander of ISAF Joint Command and the former commander of ISAF Joint Command Lt. Gen. Mark Milley. A flag ceremony was held to welcome Lt. Gen. Anderson to his new post and to say farewell to the outgoing commander, Lt. Gen. Milley. Produced by Mel Preen. This version includes voiceover and graphics.

A feature on Lieutenant Colonel Heffington who has just finished his deployment in Afghanistan. It includes sound bites from him and pictures showing him meeting General Salangi, the former Kabul police chief, who he worked alongside for a year. Footage also includes shots of Lt Col Heffington in the back of a car driving through Kabul and him meeting with police officers at the Afghan Ministry of Interior. During his deployment, Lt Col Heffington was referred to as an ‘Afghan Hand’. He was part of a program designed to integrate American military and civilian personnel within the Afghan government and society.

Teaser: Not many people have got so close to Kabul’s former Police Chief General Salangi. Colonel Steve Heffington, however, spent the past year working alongside General Salangi, helping to advise him on ways to modernise his police force. The relationship they built up extended far beyond work.

Chris Short, founder of Shorsec Racing and a former Royal Marine, will attempt to ride his motorbike from Kabul to London to raise for Mission Motorsport, a UK-based charity, which aims to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of those affected by military operations by providing opportunities through motor sport.

NATO Channel interviews Chris about his motivation for doing the drive and follows some of the preparations for his epic journey, including a look at his specially adapted motorbike and support vehicle, built in Kabul. This version includes voiceover and graphics.

With less than two months to go until the Afghan presidential election, the country is gripped by an unprecedented level of election coverage from Afghanistan’s own media. At the heart of this will be the first election in Afghanistan, where all of the key candidates take part in live debates. NATO Channel is given exclusive access behind the scenes of 1TV’s first live presidential debate, to see how political journalism and the country’s media landscape has developed and changed in the last thirteen years. The elections may well be fought on the issues of security, the economy and radicalism, but it is members of the young, educated local press which are driving the most hotly contested Afghan elections in modern times.

Teaser: NATO Channel is given behind the scenes access to Afghan 1TV’s live presidential debate, and finds out how the country’s changing media environment is having a huge impact on the elections.

As Canadian troops leave Afghanistan, the last commander of Canada’s combat mission says Canadians should be proud of their accomplishments. Major General Dean Milner oversaw many operations that were key to improving security in the province of Kandahar. Includes sound bites from Major General Dean Milner who commands the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A).

Piece covers a rally that was held in Kabul to support members of the Afghan National Security Forces. It includes shots of the crowd standing the rain. Some are holding banners, others are punching the air with their fists. The protest was organized after an attack on an Afghan army base in Kunar in the east of Afghanistan that left 21 soldiers dead. Also available in high definition

Interviews with two of the new instructors currently being trained at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA). Also interviews with ISAF and ANA instructors and mentors. Covering footage shows the girls in classrooms and doing sport in the snow.

Teaser: In just over two months, the new Afghan National Army Officer Academy will be opening its doors to the first class of female officer cadets. In preparation, eight female instructors are currently being put through their paces. Produced by Lally Snow, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is estimated to have $3 trillion worth of mineral deposits, which through years of insecurity have remained unexploited. Gold, iron ore, copper ore, emeralds, lapis, rubies as well as natural gas are all found in the north of the country.

Now with help from advisors from the US Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO), the Afghanistan Geological Survey is gaining the skills it needs to explore and exploit the country's resources. Geologists and drillers are being trained to investigate sites to test for the presence of resources. Also available in high definition

One of NATO’s most advanced air-defence war ships, the Aegis-capable Alvaro de Bazan of the Spanish Navy, fends off a simulated fighter aircraft attack by the French Air Force, 50 miles east of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden. Also available in high definition