A Brechin mum returned at the weekend from an extremely eventful six-month tour of duty in Helmand province.
Captain Lisa Irwin (42), who lives in Edzell Woods, was working with 16 Air Assault Brigade as a Female Engagement Team commander before handing over the reins to the marines of Arbroath 45 Commando.
Her task was to engage with Afghan women, to gain their trust and help them, so they may in turn influence male relatives.
Cpt Irwin took part in a three-day operation which involved troops arriving by helicopter under cover of darkness, searching compounds and patrolling the area.
But her time in Afghanistan also included her being airlifted to hospital after falling down the stairs of a watchtower and applying for a job that will result in her doing another tour of duty.
There was even gunfire when she was on laundry duty at Camp Bastion.
“I had hardly sat down when we heard gunfire close by and it transpired that the afternoon patrol was in contact with one of the call signs pinned down in a ditch,” she said.
“After sporadic gunfire, and one of our sharp shooters engaging the enemy, the guys made it back, very sweaty, out of breath and most of them laughing.
“Another patrol, another contact I suppose. As long as everyone makes it back OK then all is fine.”
It looked like Cpt Irwin’s stay in Afghanistan might be cut short in February when she had to be airlifted to hospital after being injured falling down the stairs of a watchtower while on lookout.
She was only discovered lying on the ground in agony after 15 minutes.
Cpt Irwin was strapped to a stretcher, rapidly loaded into the back of the helicopter and handed over to the aircrew medics for the short flight to Camp Bastion.
She was soon back out in the field after rehab and exercises.
Cpt Irwin had good news as she recovered after applying for a three-year Afghanistan stint.
She took the six-month deployment as her civilian contract as a children’s nurse was not going to be renewed due to NHS budget cuts.
With no job to return to, she applied for several full-time reserve service posts and later this year begins a three-year contract.