Servicemen stationed at RAF Leuchars have given a vivid account of their time serving in Afghanistan.
The four men, who play different but vital roles in the conflict, only recently returned from a tour of duty where they had to contend with the constant threat of enemy attacks and the blazing sun.
Reservist Corporal Matthew Olsson, of 612 Squadron, served his first three-month tour as a medic.
Although unable to go into detail, Cpl Olsson, who in civilian life works as a paramedic in Edinburgh, said he was flown on to the battlefield by Chinook to treat fallen soldiers before taking them to be treated.
“I don’t think anything can really prepare you for what you are seeing and what you have to treat- certainly not through my role as a civilian paramedic,” he said.
Despite treating serious injuries, or VSI’s as they are known in the field, Cpl Olsson described the overall experience as positive.
“Although being in the reserves you get two or three years before taking another tour, I would go tomorrow if I had the chance.
“You can go into the politics of it but really it is about going out and doing a job,” he said.
With this week marking the grim milestone of 300 deaths in the conflict, the nerve-shredding threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is never far from soldiers’ minds as they venture out with the relatively safe confines of base.
Senior aircraftman (SAC) David Walsh and SAC Ryan Heaney of the recently formed 58 Squadron are two soldiers who made frequent trips “outside the wire.”
They were responsible for airfield security, as well as countering the IED threat and rocket attacks.
SAC Heany (22), from Blackpool, served for six months.
He said war as he imagined it is nothing like the reality.
“When you are over there it is quiet, mundane but there are circumstances that can get a bit scary to say the least,” he said.
“The main factor is the elements like how hot it is.”
A “quite scary” moment for the soldier was when the armoured vehicle he was in rolled over an IED, which did not explode.Overall mission”All you hear is bad stuff on the news but, when you are out there you see the progression with the Afghan army, the police, going on patrol with them, you can see what the overall mission is,” he said.
SAC David Walsh, from Manchester, who toured at the same time, said the response from Afghans varied from town to town.
“There were some who didn’t take too kindly to us being there, which is fair enough.
“There were other times when they welcomed us with open arms and appreciate the kind of work we are trying to do,” he said.
“There were certain times when you are driving through in vehicles when you get little kids throwing rocks and stones.
“Then you know for next time not to walk through the community.”
As part of their duties, 58 Squadron helped build new schools and other community buildings in the country something which SAC Walsh claims is improving relations.
“It’s about getting people onside,” he said.
“I think until you have been out there on the ground and on the scene you can see what is happening.
“There is a general progression week to week and it is not all bad.”
Completing his second tour of the region is Glenrothes man Kris Stewart, of C4I Squadron, who was part of a team which maintained and installed the communication infrastructure inside military bases.
He says public support back home is important but feels this has declined in recent years.
“A lot of the troops are getting a hard time from some people who say they shouldn’t be there.
“Well, most troops would agree with people but it is their job at the end of the day,”
The UK’s second Armed Forces Day takes place tomorrow and is an opportunity for the nation to show its support for the men and women serving at home and abroad.
At any one time between 10-12% of personnel from RAF Leuchars are engaged in operations and deployments in the Middle East, Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands.