Soldiers prepare for war (From Western Telegraph)

Soldiers prepare for war

The icy winds which tore across the disused runways at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy, last week, were a far cry from the scorching temperatures of a Middle Eastern summer.

But it was here that the 14th Signal Regiment made the final preparations for their departure to the Persian Gulf and war with Iraq.

Three hundred of the regiment's 580 personnel have started touching down in Kuwait as part of the total British deployment of 42,000 troops now amassing in the region. Commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Borrill, has been in the tiny oil-rich state for some time.

"We have not done something on this scale since 1991, during the last Gulf War," said Major Jonathan Sutton. "We have been in training for some time and since New Year we have continued to plan for Gulf operations. "Most of our soldiers have just returned from leave and are well-prepared, well-trained and ready for any involvement," he added.

Sergeant Phillip Waters, from Herbrandston, a veteran of the first Gulf War and two Kosovo tours, will not be joining his colleagues on deployment this time around.

"For the first time in my career I am watching everyone else getting ready to go," he said. "But I have to admit it has made my wife happy."

Lance Corporal Chris-topher Anderson, stationed at Brawdy for over two years, said: "We have been asked to go out there. That is our job. It is as simple as that."

Dale-born REME Corporal, Jonathan Gainfort, on attachment to the Signals, said: "This is going to be a difficult job, but I think we can get it done.

"There is the chance some of us won't be coming back. That is a factor, but I am a soldier. I signed on the dotted line."