A German Quick Reaction Force (QRF) soldier poses in front of an armoured tracked vehicle 'Marder 1 A5M', during a press day at the German Bundeswehr army camp 'Marmal' near Masar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, 30 June 2008. German Bundeswehr takes over Quick Reaction Force duties from Norway on 01 July 2008
German Bundeswehr soldiers arrive at army camp 'Marmal' near Masar-i-Scharif, Afghanistan, 30 June 2008. German Bundeswehr troop strength in Afghanistan has temporarily reached 3,620 soldiers, more than the upper limit of 3500 soldiers set by the German Bundestag. The limit will have to be met within a few weeks. Last week the German government proposed to the Bundestag to extend the upper troop limit to 4,500 soldiers in order to be more flexible.