Andy Guest

Neil Harrison (left) Myself (right) undertaking our parachute training in September 1976 at Ford airfield West Sussex.

Myself (left) and Neil Harrison (right) after our second jump in September 1976, the addiction for excitement had started. 

My father conducting a funeral service for Lt Livingston RM and Sgt Ore RM both killed in action while serving in the Malayan Police force while previously serving in the Royal Marines.

Descending on my C9 parachute over Ford airfield, trimming the parachute into wind and preparing for landing. 

Table tennis developed my competitive streak which saw me compete in the Wandsworth Table Tennis league winning the individual title in my division with 95% of my games won.

My father Peter John Derrick Guest, serving in the Malayan Police force, which at times saw him involved in the Malayan Emergency guerrilla warfare in the jungle.    

Just completed my last dummy pull and being cleared to jump free fall next doing a 3 second delay.

Aged six, my parents having moved back to England from Malaya. While my father looked for work they had no choice but to use their savings to survive on . Having found themselves in the situation they couldn't afford Christmas presents, rather than disappointment me they sat up late at night and built me a castle which was brilliant.

On board the Cessna 180 with Neil Harrison about to take off and do our jump in September 1976. 

One of my early freefall jumps, with my hand painted helmet, B4 container and front mounted round reserve. The drop zone was in Worthing in West Sussex. 

The first page showing my early jumps and my progression.

At the age of 12 I appeared in the Sun Newspaper as a result of Chelsea FC reaching the FA final as I was living in Chelsea playing kick about when this reporter approached us. Back row second from the right.

My first jump at Dunkeswell 1977 on my 37th jump, my older brothers Pete and Ken linked up with me in freefall. This was the first time three brothers had linked up in free fall in the UK, it was also the first time I had seen someone in freefall. 

My parent’s car in Malaya after it left the main road and crashed somersaulting down the embankment. No seat belts in those days, my mother was pregnant at the time with me and was injected out of the car. No wonder I don’t like spinning fairground rides.

When living in Malaya in the 50s one tends to have unusual pets, in our case a baby elephant. My mother who is in the picture with my older brother Peter named the elephant Jumbo.

1977 I'm at the front in the centre, 106 Troop on their Commando nine mile speed march test. Photograph by Ken Guest

106 troop King's Squad pass out parade on my birthday in 1978. The King squad had been delayed due to being sent off to Glasgow with 40 Commando to carry out fire fighting duties due to the fireman's strike, I'm far right..

Receiving the Commando Medal from The Mayor of Exeter Feb 1978, only one is issued per troop and in some cases not.

My Royal Marine Commando medal presented to me on my King squad pass out parade for showing the following qualities: For Leadership, Unselfishness, Cheerfulness, Determination, Courage. I was just trying to get through the training the best I could.

My king squad passing out parade on my 20th Birthday. The moment I felt I did my parents proud, becoming the third son to complete the Royal Marines Commando training.

The final day and all that remained from the initial intake of sixty five recruits, 106 troop has finished with nineteen but some one who was back trooped had joined our troop taking the numbers to 20 at the finishing line.

My brother Pete far right, Ken in the middle and myself. At the time this photograph was being taken all three of us were still serving in the Royal Marines and skydiving.

My first parachute purchase a MK 1 Para commander, paid from my football pools winnings for 23 points which came to £100. One more point would have netted me around £100,000.

Northern Ireland, 1978, with a GPMG. 

About to depart from Forkhill base in N. Ireland to carry out foot patrols over three days living on the ground.

The remains of the IRA car bomb detonated by radio control that killed Cpl Robert (Dusty) Miller in Forkhill in 1978, a popular guy within Lima company.

Going to ground on the edge of the woods, sleeping under a spread cover before conducting more foot patrols in the area on the lookout for the IRA. 

Foot patrol in the village of Forkhill in N, Ireland.

1979 Royal Marines Free Fall Parachute Display Team, from let to right. Gary Lawry, my brother Pete, Stan Wood, myself, Andy Grice and Derrick White.

My brother Pete and myself posing for a local paper at Butlins Holiday camp at Bognor Regis in 1979, we were due to do a display in the afternoon. 

Cardiff Airday 1979 having just exited the British Airways Dragon Rapide, chance to geek the cameraman while checking our exit point.

Stan Wood and myself landing a bi-plane stack in Peoples park in Jersey 1979, myself on the bottom of the stack.

British record six stack built over Pope Valley California USA 1979, the first time I had docked third from the top.

Stan Wood and myself on a bi-plane stack going into Cardiff castle.

My military parachute course held at Brize Norton with seven jumps taking place at Weston on the Green and one balloon jump taking place at Hullavington Airfield qualifying of my military para wings.

Dave Tylcoat on the left who gave me my nick name Justa (just a boy) and Gary Lawry on the right one of my team members on the Royal Marines Free Fall Team 1979.

1980 Royal Marines R Company display team, consisting of the unarmed combat team, abseilers, Royal Navy personnel, Royal Marines Free Fall Parachute Display Team. Wessex Mk 5 Helicopter crew.

Andy Grice just landing followed by myself at the Devon County show in 1980. The cross was a ground to air signal but the crowd always that was the target.

Equalling the World 10 stack record, I docked 4th on the stack 1980.

Logging our World record 13 stack in my logbook,  the first time the stack record had been taken off the Americans.

Living the dream, our very own Royal Navy Wessex Mk 5 helicopter to jump from on displays. Andy Grice on the Wheel, myself hanging underneath the helicopter 1980.

My first ever base jump from El Capitan a 3,000' granite rock face in Yosemite National Park, California 5th Sept 1980.

My El Capitan certificate,  in time I was going to meet this great man Carl Boenish.

Mountain men, Great Britain team for the 1st CRW World cup 1980 held at Zephyrhills, Florida. Back row: Andy Grice, Gary Lawry, Graham Copestake, Bob Charters, Paul Applegate, Front row: Pete Guest, Graham Pearce, Mike MacCarthy and myself.

1980 1st CRW World cup, Mountain men winning Gold in the speed 8 and silver in the 4 way rotations. The Royal Aero Club awarded the team the Prince of Wales Trophy.

The Royal Marines awarded me my sporting colours, nice mention in the letter of my brother Pete as well.

European night 9 stack record over Netheravon having become the first person in the UK to dock 8th earning me British Night Canopy Crest Solo #1. Leo Dickinson docked below me to complete the nine. Photograph by Leo Dickinson

Competing at the 1st World CRW cup sat in the door way of a Cessna 195 at Zephyr Hills 1980.

Me taking pictures of the enemy position just before the Mujahideen launched an attack. Afghanistan 1981. Copyright Ken Guest

Carrying the 16mm camera to the next location  for a possible attack, during the Russian campaign in Afghanistan 1981. Copyright Ken Guest

Afghanistan war zone, 1981. Copyright Ken Guest

Me (right) with my brother Ken after three months hiking around the war zone dropping down to eight stone, the start of a 12,000' mountain climb. I  can't deny I was happy to be leaving Afghanistan, it was just a question of avoiding the anti personal mines. Copyright Ken Guest

In coming Russian artillery shells exploding on an Afghan village. It did not sink in initially what the whistling sound was as the attack was some distance off. Then the penny dropped it was shrapnel whistling past us some weighing up to 2lb, jaggged and razor sharp. Copyright Ken Guest

I'm trying to Get to know the 16mm camera, while the Mujahideen decide what they are going to do. Copyright Ken Guest

Capturing my brother Ken taking a picture of a mujahideen firing a heavy machine gun on a Afghan army fort. Copyright Ken Guest

A Russian BMP BMP-2, with the longer barrelled 30mm cannon.

Observing the mujahideen attack while rounds crack just above my head. Copyright Ken Guest

I've just been blown up and sent through the air, shrapnel sliced through my camera strap. I then had to run the gauntlet through three heavy machine guns with rounds impacting around my ankles and cracking past my head. My face says it all, I'm in shock and my pupils have enlarged. Copyright Ken Guest

BMP-1, with a short 76mm low velocity turret gun. After the second RPG was fired and missed, three BMP-1s manoeuvred and put cross fire into our position. Copyright Ken Guest

Our accommodation in Peshawar, no air conditioning and having to put DTT powder in a circle around the bed legs. This stopped the ants from climbing and feasting on us during the night.  Copyright Ken Guest

My brother Ken and me return to Peshawar, having survived the firefights and mortars. I was to return to the UK to sell the footage we had taken which was screened by ITN News, Ken would return for another trip. I had the utmost respect for my brother after this experience. Down to 7 stone I was looking forward to the food we discussed in such detail on our journey.

After the ambush and the Russians had moved on we returned to the scene of the ambush. As I picked up bits and pieces I had dropped, a lens here a battery there I came across the tail of what a appeared to be a rocket. The tree I was hiding behind took the blast and peeled back the bark. I was hiding two foot below the impact, it was a wise move to turn and run when I did with only two seconds spare.

On the way into Afghanistan for the first time, the route taking us over the mountains hoping to get food and water from the villages along the way.

Rounds wheezing and cracking past you, a reminder how close you are to the end game.

After countless road trips looking for a suitable aerial mast I came across Mendlesham. We completed the first British BASE jump from Mendlesham TV Mast on the 17th Oct 1981. Three jumpers used square parachutes and myself on a 26' National reserve round parachute due to selling my main square parachute five days before. Notice the policeman's signature in my log book.

First British Night Base jump testing the new packing method I had come up with for a quicker opening, Clifton Suspension Bridge 245' (113m), Nov 1981. Typical, the only time I have not seen any bridge lights switched on resulting in me having to exit into pitch blackness. Photograph by Dave Grindley

My qualifying BASE jump from Trellick Tower 330' (110m), London December 1981, earning me World BASE #14. I hate heights and standing on a edge of a building resulted in deep mind games that I had to over come, after all this was an experimental period.

The moment I decided I couldn't walk away from the building jump even though half a dozen voices in my head was telling me other wise. Nigel Slee joined me on the jump, Nigel was a lot quicker jumping off the building after me as I was still fighting the voices in my head when I was stood on the wall.

There's a moment of calm and you know the time is right, you feel yourself pass that no turning back stage, then you fall away with your brain racing.

The moment of no return on my sunset jump off Beer Head 300' Apr 1982 using a 28' static line for more cliff clearance. This was my qualifying jump for British BASE #1.

Fourth edition of the American BASE magazine confirming our break through in conducting low altitude BASE jumps. Carl Boenish flew to the UK to meet us where I told him how I came up with the idea from my canopy stacking experience with collapsed parachutes. I showed Carl the packing method with slider down (normally packed up to slow opening down) for a quicker opening followed by our pictures putting the packing method to the test. Carl burst into a big smile and exclaimed "you have just made the world jumpable".

Fourth edition American BASE magazine showing Frank Donnellan and myself having qualified and the first outside America to do so.

My World BASE #14 membership card, the date being the way the Americans do it. Notice no signature on the card, it was a period when the British Parachute Association did not view it as a new sport and were out to ban people for life. I chose not to sign my card in case I lost it.

My second jump off Beer head, another set of equipment but still conventional skydiving equipment being used on static line.

Shortly after completing the first British BASE jump with three hours, the other three on square parachutes while I used a National 26' reserve having sold my square parachute three days before to create the funds to travel to Mendlesham TV mast due to being skint. Photograph Al James

Red tee shirt and shorts was just to create some colour in the picture, riser covers uncovered to ensure no involuntary turns. The mind games had already started, I know I am going to jump but I just need to convince myself to jump. Photograph by Dave Grindley

Thirstle Alpha oil platform North Sea, at some point I would have worked on both Derricks. Departure was from Aberdeen Airport on a Tiger helicopter, the flight taking some time as the platform was around the second furthest in the North sea.

Throwing the chain to screw the pipe.

My roughneck team on Thirstle Alpha joining the pipe sections, before running the pipe in the hole.

Royal Marines British 15 Stack record, I've docked around 13th. This was the first of two British records in a matter of days. The 15th guy is making his approach. 

A couple of days after the 15 stack British record, we built a British free fall star record. I'm in the red container with the red helmet to the left of the star.

New river gorge bridge day West Virginia America 1983, the bridge is open to BASE jumpers for one day in the year and is 876' (267m) high. Nigel Slee in the yellow filming me (red) exiting the bridge using a 52" larger pilotchute for the first time to deploy the parachute. Copyright Phil Smith

In Miami with Nigel Slee having just BASE packed the parachutes, the objective a night BASE of the skyscraper behind us that is still under construction. 

BASE jumping Cheddar Gorge using a static line and reaching for the sky. Photograph by Dave Grindley

Another BASE jump off Cheddar Gorge.

And yet another BASE jump off Cheddar gorge, landing area to the left, this was my favourite BASE jump site in the UK.

Following Nigel Slee off the New River Gorge bridge, completing a 3 second delay while Nigel completes a 5 second delay. There's an element of trust in these jumps.

And yet another jump off Cheddar, the moment of deep thought. There can be no mistakes on the exit as the ultimate price to pay is your life. Photograph by Dave Grindley

A water jump I completed off Worthing, you just knew that water is going to be cold and take your breath away.

Another jump off the Clifton suspension bridge, one of six jumps I completed off that bridge. It's a lovely location with a stunning bridge full of character that makes the jump that much more special. Photograph by Dave Grindley

Participating in a CRW speed 8 training camp held at Headcorn drop zone in preparation for the CRW World Championships in France. Sadly I had to pull out due to starting a new job on the oil rigs. We had reached a stage we were building an eight stack from 3,500' picture shows me docking 8th

VE Day celebrations in the heart of Berlin taking centre stage, the drop zone being the dual carriageway. After free falling for a short time, I proceeded to hook up with Bob Scoular converting into a bi-plane stack where upon Bobby deployed a Union Jack. Our jump made the papers front cover. 

Royal Marines British 17 stack record 1984 docked 14th.

 Royal Marines British 18 stack record 1985 docked 18th.

Royal Marines British 20 stack record 1985. Photograph by Simon Ward

Royal Marines equalled World 23 stack record 1985. Photograph by Simon Ward

Sunrise free fall BASE jump off the Kocher bridge in Germany 584' (178m) after dispatching my friend Mike Will having packed his parachute for him that morning. Photograph by Nigel Watson-Clark

One very happy Mike Wills, so much fun to share this unique experience with friends though stressful when you have packed their parachute and coached them. Photograph by Nigel Watson-Clark

Chasing the adventure and expand my journeys outside the UK, Kocher bridge behind me in Germany. When you arrive at a location you plan to BASE jump the heart rate would often pick up. Photograph by Nigel Watson-Clark

Royal Marines British 20 stack record built over Dunkeswell airfield, docked around 14th. Photograph by Leo Dickinson

World 23 stack record equalled, I'm approaching 24 but I couldn't dock due to the bottom of the stack swinging. Photograph by Simon Ward

Mike Wills on the right and I discuss the BASE jump off the Kocher bridge. Mike expressed his wish to complete all four objects and qualify for his BASE membership number. Photograph taken by Nigel Watson-Clark

In the heart of London a similar designed building to Trellick Tower which I spotted while driving past on my motor bike. A sequence of photographs layered to show the parachute deployment sequence.

One of the most respected skydivers in the UK, to this day the only person to hit ten consecutive dead centres at a world championships. I consider myself fortunate to be able to call Jackie a friend, a great ambassador for the sport of skydiving and the UK. So much fun introducing Jackie to a Royal Marines 8 stack. Copyright Ken Guest

Another building BASE jump, that buzzing feel good factor afterwards 1985

Jackie Smith member of the Red Devils parachute display team and 1978 World Accuracy Champion, author of Jackie Smith - Marooned available on www.Amanzon.co.uk This book is an excellent read and Jackie was one of the people who encouraged me to write my own book Type T which is also available on Amazon.

Esther Reynolds leaping off Cheddar Gorge leaving only the building for her BASE membership number.

My lowest British BASE jump, Erskine bridge in Scotland 190' (63m) according to Wikipedia.

First person to BASE jump Blackpool Tower, the whole journey up to Blackpool, carrying out a recce, managing to by pass the security system made it an adventure. There were no signs to say you had to take the lift down and that you couldn't BASE jump. 

Both Charlie and myself flying across the golden mile heading to the beach after successfully BASE jumping Blackpool Tower.

Electricity pylon free falling from the top while being filmed from the ground, two hours previously having jumped Clifton Suspension bridge. Copyright Leo Dickinson

First jump of a filming assignment, the painters who tried to grab me can be seen on the bridge. Copyright by Leo Dickinson

Royal Marines World 24 stack record 1986, docked 6th, my fourth stacking world record. Copyright by Simon Ward

Royal Marines World 24 stack record 1986. docked 6th.

Another 22 stack, over the two years we built around 21 x 22 stacks getting so close to the 24 stack that we needed to break the World record. I have docked around 17 on this stack.

One of my worse exits as some one pulled out my static that was stowed in elastics when they shouldn't have done, that distraction as I jumped caused me to go head down. I am about to receive a hard opening as a result.

Another picture of the world record stack, there  was screaming of joy coming from the stack.

A tight demo into a wedding separating the boys from the men, the last words when exiting the Cessna 182 aeroplane......."Everyman for themselves" 

The wedding I parachuted into at Wolford lodge was the home of the Simcoe family descendants of John Graves Simcoe the first Lieutenant Governor of Canada. It was the daughters wedding, I don't think the spectators truly understood the difficult conditions.  

The old control tower of the Royal Navy Royal Marines Sport Parachute Association, my home for three years shared with Simon the ghost.

Exiting the chinook, one of the last to leave on a British free fall star record attempt 1997. Copyright Simon Ward

Only one attempt and it was successful, a new British free fall formation record built over Middle Wallop Air show 1997. I docked around 47th after finding the rainbow show laces I was looking for to dock. Copyright Simon Ward

I loved experimenting in canopy stacking, if it was a parachute then it was fair game for me to dock onto. In this case I was docking on an Aeroconical student round parachute being jumped by Mike Wills. Copyright Leo Dickinson

The failed 1997 stack record attempt as the French canopies were not up to the job so we tried mixing them with some of the older American canopies to lessen the weight load. My friend Raymond Marks looking up, yes his rear end was twitching. Copyright Simon Ward

8Royal Marines and friends British free fall 34 star record built on the first attempt over Dunkeswell 1987. I'm in the red container at the 4 O clock position in the star. Copyright Simon Ward

Competing at the Bad Lippspringe parachute Championships with Charlie Jakeman, Graeme Henderson, Raymond Marks and myself. The CH52 behind us other wise known as the Jolly Green Giant was the helicopter we were jumping from.

Always fun doing the novelty jumps in jumping unusual aircraft, loved climbing out of the aeroplane. Copyright Dawn Patrol

Exiting the hot air balloon on the right hand side wearing a camera to film the others exiting the balloon. Leo  Dickinson sat in the wicker basket filming and capturing this British Record. Copyright by Leo Dickinson

I'm just chilling out during the Australian World CRW Championships, I wasn't competing but I was there with the Royal Marines CRW team who won silver.

It has to be said becoming a father eclipsed everything else I had done, very proud of Alison coping so well throughout the pregnancy and birth. A special moment seeing the birth of my son Westleigh.

Alison and I now had this responsibility of raising Westleigh, there were no manual for raising a child. The decision to stop BASE jumping in my opinion was the right thing to do.

Both parachutes locked off, it was the time to ride this wild roller coaster of a ride. Adrenalin rush well we were not disappointed. The film footage for the documentary Dead Man's Tales was well received. Copyright by Leo Dickinson

Recreating an incident for a documentary, what was a simple jump turned into a nightmare. Copyright by Leo Dickinson

Every wild entangled ride was unpredictable, quick evaluations had to be made and in one case choosing the lesser of a bad situation. Copyright by Leo Dickinson

I loved the opportunity to do the unusual after carefully thinking things through, the end result was always the same heart thumping moments. Copyright by Leo Dickinson

Even the well thought plan for a simple jump the unpredictable bad scenario can occur. It's knowing that and meeting it head on that appealed to me. Copyright by Leo Dickinson

The visuals on these unusual jumps makes the whole jump worth while, these pictures are engraved deep into ones heads. I loved this type of jump which Dave Payne and myself did five times, the laughter came once our feet were back on the ground. Copyright by Leo Dickinson

A special day spent with friends and family, Alison was very brave to say yes.

It was nice that a lot of my friends were Royal Marines at my wedding, as I'm sure some never had suits having spent all their money on skydiving gear.

Dave Payne and me spent time coaching the club members on building big stacks, in this one I am doing a selfie using a fish eye lens.

1992 started off great with the birth of my second son Daniel, once again I was fortunate to be there for the birth and a lot wiser holding Alison's hand during contractions.

Purely a novelty factor jumping the Boeing 727 jet, but what fun. It was a Boeing 727 DB Cooper hijacked in 1971 and parachuted out with two hundred thousand dollars in ransom..

Both the Chief Pilot and Chief Instructor running my own skydiving school. My Cessna 206 G-ATLT which I flew to Menorca from England with Arron Jones.

Free fall tumbling in front of the Matterhorn dressed as climbers for the film Killing me softly. Copyright by Leo Dickinson

Exeter Leukaemia Fund awarding us their silver trophy as a result of receiving £50,000 a year from a fund raising scheme we created. Devon Air Ambulance also received £50,000 a year from the same fund raising scheme. 

Carp fishing was my escape from running our skydiving business, when I could have some me time and just chill out while living in my carp tent for three days. Yes I know it's not a big fish but you should have seen the other one.

I'm in my own plane a Cessna 206 G-ATLT. My older brother Pete is flying the plane, my second brother Ken is sat next to me. As I exit the plane I pause for a few seconds before taking the lid off and releasing my mothers ashes over Dunkeswell Airfield to join my father who I had released two year earlier. Emotionally two of the hardest jumps I have had to do.

Having been rejected for the London marathon, Paris marathon was to be my first marathon. 

Four of us complete 50 skydives each in one day, its the second most jumps done in one day by an individual in one day  in the UK.

Some of the skydiving awards I have achieved over the years, the number represents the number of people receiving this world award.

To lose such a close friend having shared so much along the journey was devastating, our paths at times ran in unison. The journey brought much excitement and much laughter, he is a firm memory in lot's of peoples head such was his character and so many have a story to tell about him. I miss our talks and that laughter, his smile is still there in my head.

Checking on my guards, the first stage of winning their respect which goes hand in hand with training them by making it fun.

Ensuring good practices were taking place with my guards on the airfield camp.

Counting out the wages for 375 guards and paying each one over a few days. 

Children flying their kites in Kabul on my departure to Mazar e Sharif.

The views when driving from Kabul to Jalalabad, all the time looking out for Taliban check points.

The forward operating base close to the Pakistan border which I was overseeing their security and advising them.

Camels and donkeys are often used to transport foods to markets in Afghanistan.

My vehicle movements were often conducted with body armour carrying three hundred rounds, shatter proof glasses and an AK47.

An AK 47 which I changed the butt to a folding one for ease of use in vehicle movements, also adding a forward grip and a laser sight.

My guards had to man the towers, I would often check on them at night ensuring they hadn't fallen asleep.

The location of the forward operating base was very barren and dry, not an ideal location as the enemy had the advantage of high ground looking down onto the base.

Two CH53 zoom over the top, always tried to ensure my AK47 was not on display in case thy thought I was the Taliban when out on the open ground.

So I am asked to accompany a manager to meet unknown individuals out in the sticks in the dark who know you are bringing cash, unbelievable.  

Shepherds go about their business

American troops come and go via airborne transport.

It's expected in Afghanistan for the kids to work at an early age, not so much playing time. Some of the loads the donkeys have to carry seem horrendous. 

While other security teams would operate high profile wearing helmets, body armour and all the webbing I preferred the low profile approach. It would often be the case those in high profile would be hit by the Taliban as they stuck out.

Each time there was an incident, whether a shooting or a IED I would place a pin on the map. Over a period of time this would highlight the hot spot areas to avoid.

Having a meeting with the Commander of camp Shaheen in Mazar e Sharif discussing my clients construction project.. 

The blue mosque in Mazar e Sharif, I'm told it's considered second only to Mecca. White pigeons fly next to it attracted by locals feeding the birds. Sultan Husayn Mirza Bayqarah built the current Blue Mosque here, it is by far the most important landmark in Mazar e Sharif.  

The main road climbing the mountain and passing through the Salang pass tunnel, bloody dangerous with steep slippery high drops resulting in loss of lives every year.

There's only one way to lead a PSD team and that's by example to earn their respect, where upon they will follow you.

My home for over two and half years, bathroom and toilet opposite end.

On the eight hour journey from Kabul to Mazar e Sharif, wondering how on earth do I start the second security project.

The first time I came across Afghan humour. The Russians helped us build this bridge, look over the side they told me. Where upon I was greeted by blown up Russian vehicles being used as a foundation for the bridge.

The labourers barricading the entrance having the affect of locking us in. An interesting moment I managed to defuse by joining their protest, an unusual approach by a security team leader. It worked and my client was kept safe throughout.

I would stand by the road with my camera in one hand and displaying a British Union Jack laminated A4 card in the other hand. The Swedish military crew would often give me a strange look as they were heavily armed and I would often be on my own.

At times even carrying an AK47 would attract attention, I found it best when walking the streets it would be easier hiding my pistol in the curve of my back to maintain that low profile.

Mixing with the local community and trying to win hearts and minds is everything, do it well they may be inclined to give you a heads up on IEDs (improvised explosive devices) that have been planted.

One of the biggest threats when conducting missions was an IED, hence it was so important not to have predictable movement patterns. This IED has a timer, most were detonated by remote control. Once a year the bomb teacher would come into Mazar e Sharif and stay for two weeks, I was able to give the various countries the heads up when he was in town and predicted his departure.

There were plenty of night missions, some night tasking's I had to conduct on my own going out into the community low profile hoping the vehicle wouldn't break down.

One side of Mazar e Sharif was flat as a pancake, the other side had a mountain range and it was here the Taliban would move their men. I discussed this with the Germens who confirmed their OP had recorded the movement of Taliban. Over a period of time I was able to track the route that was being used through Intel of incidents I was receiving.

Melons being sold on a roundabout, converted to sterling came to 20p.

Scouting the high ground for any unusual activity in the area. You are on your own there is no military support or medics coming to your aid.

Training the PSD security team on the rifle range using live ammo and ensuring safety was not compromised.

With flat ground and good visibility for miles around the Taliban are unable to approach me without being seen, a chance to just sit and chill.

The white pigeons of Mazar e Sharif by the Blue Mosque

Over the winter months the Afghan sport of buzkashi takes place in Mazar e Sharif. An unusual sport that involves galloping about with a dead goat while others beat you to make you drop it with the aim of getting the goat to a goal area. Rules I have never understood.

Low profile with my AK 47 by my leg, finger on the trigger looking at peoples body language for any signs that something isn't right.

Afghans are very quick to see business opportunities, in this case selling camel rides to the American army.

The American government provides shops for the Afghans to sell pirate videos on American bases but at the same time back in the states they try to prosecute individuals setting up shops who sell pirate videos. 

Taking my client to a picnic while setting up s 360 security cover with my guards.

My client while watching buzkashi  flank by two of my team while a third sits in the car in case a quick get away is required.

An orphanage I came across and delivered large boxes of sweets which soon became boxes of clothes after American families saw my pictures. The kids are holding up a sign of an American school who donated the sweets.

Russian tank and armour personnel carriers are littered every where around Afghanistan.

The daughter of our host who invited my client to a picnic, he was hoping to win a construction contract from my client. I gave the father pictures of his kids I had taken, the aim was to create good relations.

While conduction construction work during the digging phase, it became clear the old cemetery was bigger than most people realised as a body was discovered.

Long days at times working up to twenty hours a day take it's toll but you just keep going, that's the nature of the work it's a question of take it or leave it. In this picture I'm hanging out having worked ten straight months seven days a week.

Some of the sunsets over Mazar e Sharif were just stunning.

It's hard to believe that in the summer this land is dry and dusty and looks barren, come the spring the landscape changes and becomes a blanket of red as flowers take over.

My client Joe and I would invite various people who wanted a change of scenery to come over to our location, whereupon we would get a bonfire going. In attendance we had Germens, Americans and British. Dan Allison my Yorkshire tea man and Bill Shakotko another civilian from America working on Camp Spann are sat round the fire.

The most I counted in or on a car was 21, common sights in Mazar e Sharif.

One of the main roads I would have to use, a wake up call to keep changing your routes and stay low profile.

Final checks before the road mission, extra ammunition magazines, bag with extra ammo. There is no help, it maybe a prolonged fire fight hence it's essential we do not run out of ammo. There are no prisoners, there is only one outcome death by beheading or you fight to the end.........my choice has been made.

Tank grave yards are littered throughout Afghanistan, a chance to wander around and have a look.

An opportunity to wear a different outfit.

There's no doubt having armed security on board ships changed the situation on the Indian Ocean. Seafarers would have more peace of mind operating in what was a vast piracy zone.  There's nothing romantic about these pirates, often crew members would be mistreated, some would be affected for life.

Skiffs were often hard to see until they started their engines that would leave a white wake. Skiffs were used for people smuggling and fishermen, often making close approaches to ships.

Any ship operating on the Indian ocean was at risk from huge container ships, oil tankers to fishing boats.

Any time you entered the piracy zone security watches had to be conducted twenty four seven.

Pirates in skiffs would make their approaches with the aim of hooking a ladder to the ship to board them and make their way to the bridge. The ladder can be seen in the boat clearly fishermen don't need ladders. Occasionally RPGs would be fire exploding on the ship to scare the crew into stopping. 

In one year I visited twenty countries, always interesting to see the difference between them. The risk to life was not always just on the sea, maritime security personnel were killed ashore so one always had to be on your guard.

Oil tankers were often more at risk as the free board was closer making it easier for the pirates to board hence razor wire was often stretched out around ships to make it harder. 

While working your security shifts on occasions you would see stunning sunsets or sun rises. Depending on the size of your teams, your shift could be six hours on your feet.

Ships come and go in the port, it's a very fast swift operation. 

It's impressive just how fast some ports are in off loading and loading containers, at times with large ships five cranes would be operating at the same time.. 

Many an hour spent on the bridge wing all hours of the day, looking out for pirates in skiffs that may launch an attack.

Ports work 24/7, it's amazing how fast some of the ports can unload the containers and load the new ones on. This periiod would give the security team some down time which often would be spent doing physical training. 

Thirty seven years later I have the opportunity to jump another high cliff in Italy. The feel good factor was back again in abundance. Copyright 50CAL Andy Callendar

After a 28 year layoff it was time to go back to basics so I attended the 50CAL BASE school. I was very impressed with the format of the training, there was no BASE school when I first started, it was all self taught. The BASE equipment was so much better, built for the job as opposed to modified to do the job all those years ago.

After twenty eight years I started with pilotchute assisted jumps than advancing to freefall with a three second delay due to the height. Don't over delay he tells me, well there was no chance of that. Copyright 50CAL Andy Callendar

My first BASE jump for over twenty eight years, yes the nerves were back. The actual jump position has not changed but the BASE equipment is no longer conventional skydiving gear but equipment designed for BASE. Nice feeling observing people packing with slider down knowing I came up with the idea.

My standard swallow dive off the bridge but staying head up for the deployment of the parachute, on this jump pilotchute assisted. Copyright 50CAL Andy Callendar

Free falling pass the face of a high cliff is a rush, you're not sure of the out come but you are going to give it your best shot to increase the odds into your favour.

My fourth BASE jump off Brento, always a huge rush until you have done a lot of BASE jumps in a short period of time then it starts to feel normal.

Taking Masie Williams the actress from Games of Thrones on a tandem skydive, the young lady had no fear and it made the jump so much fun.

Even famous actresses get an adrenalin rush and can have fun, the smile on MAISIE WILLIAMS face is clear for all to see.

Back to doing the unusual in this case climbing inside the cell of the parachute to show the youngsters the fun they can have. Copyright Chris Ware

Berlin marathon 2017 completed as well as London and Paris previously, New York has now been applied for in 2018.

Hiking around the lake district before the focus concentrated on the Southwest Coastal path, 630 miles long breaking it down into short hikes.

To add to the fun of the jump I have purposely collapsed my parachute to ride the streaming parachute, all good visuals.

Hiking up to the top of Ben Nevis, Snowdonia has already been climbed which only leaves me to climb Scafell Pike to complete the three peaks.

Forty one years and five months in the sport of skydiving I'm still loving it as much as I did on my first jump, though no longer scared as I was on my first jump.

The great thing about tandem skydiving is that I have the opportunity to introduce someone to my sport of skydiving and what better than make it fun for them.

There is no bigger compliment than someone asking you to jump with their child even though they are now grown up, in this case I am jumping with Sadie Pike.

I could never imagine both boys would not only take up skydiving but would become British National Champions and go onto represent GB at the same time in 2017.

I join the Mountain Man BASE team who are doing a short documentary on me about the early BASE jumping days in the UK for YouTube. It’s 2021 and it’s 39 years since my last BASE jump off Beer Head, this time I go off free fall. The TYPE T journey is ongoing.

Photograph by Dave Gallagher

In 2018 completed the very first UK BASE jump off a zip wire in North Wales called the velocity. A special harness was designed, also how to execute the jump, then just a simple case carrying out the jump 3 times one of which was in front of a concert crowd.

2022 training for a British CF record, we’re now within 3 to clinch the record. Looking forward to 2023.

Bursting a water balloon in freefall.