US military withdraws from Afghanistan base, leaves Pokémon behind Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. US military withdraws from Afghanistan base, leaves Pokémon behind "We weren't expecting Pokémon Go to be thriving in Bagram." News by Tom Phillips Deputy Editor Updated on 5 Jul 2021 6 comments US military newspaper Stars and Stripes has reflected on the ongoing withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan "through the lens of Pokémon Go". An article published over the weekend includes interviews with former and currently serving members of the US armed forces who played Pokémon Go while stationed on the base at Bagram Airfield, near Kabul, over the past few years. According to the story, the base previously hosted a "thriving" Pokémon Go community made up of troops, contractors and visiting civilians "who played the game while exercising and after work". Watch on YouTube "We weren't expecting Pokémon Go to be thriving in Bagram, and yet it was," said Corey Olsen, an electrician who worked on US army attack helicopters. "Being able to start a conversation with a complete stranger in the middle of a war zone about something like Pokémon was a great way to stay social," a contractor named Wilbur Landaverde added. Alaska National Guard captain John Sutter recalled specifically taking a gym with a Voltorb, an explosive electric creature which can self-destruct. Said Sutter: "I thought... [we] can't have no IED Pokemon on the FOB." Gyms on the base include one at its Warrior Chapel building, and another at a memorial to a fallen soldier. Image credit: Stars and Stripes At least 40 people have died in suicide bombings at Bagram since the US occupation of Afghanistan began. The base was also used as a detention centre, which was investigated in a 2005 New York Times report into serious prisoner abuse. Control of Bagram base was passed back to Afghan government forces on 1st July, as part of the US withdrawal of all troops from the country, which is due to be completed by 11th September. "I'm sure somewhere in Afghanistan, some kid is bragging about how he took control of an American Pokémon gym," Sutter continued, mourning the creatures he left behind in gyms on the base. "Maybe in 20 years I can ride a motorcycle south and reclaim that Pokémon gym again." In reality, the publication of the report detailing Bagram's gyms will likely attract the attention of Pokémon Go players who "spoof" their phone position, enabling them to take its locations from afar. Officially, Pokémon Go has strict rules against the creation of in-game locations on military sites - though the addition of these into the game is left up to the community to police. Pokémon Go celebrates its fifth anniversary this week, ahead of its big annual Go Fest celebration later in July. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 3 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 3 Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store