Uncertainty for countys soldiers (From Western Telegraph)

Uncertainty for countys soldiers

Organisations serving the families of soldiers stationed in Pembrokeshire have closed ranks as uncertainty grows over the role those troops may play in a war against international terrorism.

The Army Families Federation admits there are grave concerns among military families following the September 11th terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

But its spokesman declined to comment on how this uncertainty was affecting troops of the 14th Signal Regiment stationed at Brawdy.

While nobody knows what is going to happen, families are trying to carry on with their lives as normally as they possibly can," she said.

Many of those soldiers have families living in and around Haverfordwest who continue with their day-to-day routines amid warnings from the US Defence Department that public opinion needed to prepare to accept possible casualties.

It has been hinted that Britain could be willing to offer military assistance to anti-Taliban rebels in Afghanistan.

Castlemartin Range has been used extensively by troops who may be deployed.

Range commandant Colonel Michael Portman said the current situation emphasised how important training bases like Castlemartin were.

It demonstrates how important it is to have a well-trained army, able to react in times of conflict," he said.

There have been no changes to the autumn training operations at Castlemartin. The next few weeks will be busier than normal, but this situation arose because of foot and mouth disease and not the terrorist attacks.

The Light Dragoons had been due to train at Castlemartin last spring but were unable to use the ranges because of the presence of sheep and cattle stranded by foot and mouth movement restrictions. The unit has been rescheduled to visit Castlemartin in November.