I saw first-hand the sacrifice he so outrageously ignores

TRY telling the mothers of the UK and Commonwealth soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2000s that the UK is “some random country” that “has not fought a war” in 30 or 40 years.

- PHILIP COBURN

In both countries, we deployed troops as part of a Nato response to the 9/11 attacks on America, coming to the US's aid in their hour of need as an ally who keeps our word.

I saw first-hand the sacrifice the US Vice President so outrageously ignores - and it often occurred as a direct result of helping American troops.

In 2007 I was embedded with 52 Brigade BRF (Brigade Reconnaissance Force) in Afghanistan during the retaking of Musa Qala from the Taliban.

This specialist unit lived out of their lightly armoured and open wagons in the desert plains of Helmand Province as they secured a safe route for US paratroopers and Special Forces, often spending months at a time in the open.