<p>The war being fought in Iraq (2003–2009) and Afghanistan (2006–present) is unconventional in that British forces are predominantly engaged in counterinsurgency tactics as part of an asymmetric war[1]. While US and coalition forces have numerous technological advantages over the enemy in terms of weapons, armour, transportation and a high level of organisation, they face unconventional weapons and tactics in accordance with a less organised opposition. As a result, the patterns of injury most often encountered in wounded soldiers reflect the enemy’s dependence on improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mines and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs)[2].</p>
