Malcolm,
I hate talking about weaponry and warfare, due to my previous experience with it. But in this case I will close my ears and eyes.
My heart goes out to your stepson and friends. I lived and worked very close to that part of the world for a year, and know what is like to carry out duties such as theirs, in such adverse conditions, and doing such a thankless job.
We were lucky, we only had to deal with a few insurgents, who were armed with old WW2 weapons and Arabian muskets, a turkey shoot really, but still a formidable enemy, who could disappear as quickly as they appeared.
I would hate to think what it is like in their conditions, up against a well trained fanatical enemy, that are armed with some of the most sophisticated weapons available, and yet they are still trying to carry on life as normal as possible, attempting to assist the peoples of the local area. The strain must be intense.
They really do need all the support we can give them.
John