DTN News: British Forces ~ Driving ambulances in Helmand

DTN News: British Forces ~ Driving ambulances in Helmand *Source: DTN News / British Ministry of Defence (MoD) (NSI News Source Info) - December 10, 2009: Two Royal Logistic Corps soldiers are currently deployed to Afghanistan where they are providing an essential role driving wounded troops to the Camp Bastion hospital. Army driver Private Matt 'Pimmy' Pimblett with the Mastiff Armoured Battlefield Ambulance in Helmand province[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] Private Matt 'Pimmy' Pimblett, who has served two previous tours in Iraq, is now working in Afghanistan as a Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) driver with 254 Medical Regiment. Based in Camp Bastion, Pte Pimblett has driven the Mastiff armoured ambulance vehicle on Combat Logistic Patrols all over Helmand and Kandahar provinces in the south of the country. The logistic patrols ensure that the troops in the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) receive the food, water, ammunition and supplies they need. The patrols have to contend with occasional small arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and the improvised explosive device (IED) threat, so the presence of an ambulance vehicle is essential. Pte Pimblett said: "We supply people at FOBs with food, ammo, medical kit, and post, so it's very important. It's a dangerous job due to the IED threat. "We've had small arms fire and RPGs fired at us, found IEDs, and have assisted with the extraction of dead Afghan soldiers." Private Matt Pimblett RLC "We've had small arms fire and RPGs fired at us, found IEDs, and have assisted with the extraction of dead Afghan soldiers. "It was an eye-opener to the realities of war and the effects it can have on people's lives. "Nevertheless, I like getting stuck into the work and, although it may seem strange to people back home, I quite like the danger as I love the adrenaline rush!" Another RLC driver, Corporal Graham Laurence, is currently serving with 253 (North Irish) Medical Regiment in Afghanistan, also based at Camp Bastion. Cpl Laurence drives the battlefield ambulance, taking patients, many who have serious traumatic conditions, from the medical helicopters to the emergency department of the field hospital. Corporal Graham Laurence with the Mastiff Armoured Battlefield Ambulance[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] This is a role where, unfortunately, he has been exposed to the worse injuries experienced by UK, US, Danish and Afghan troops that are taken off the helicopters. Cpl Laurence said: "I was initially concerned to how I would react to seeing such things but after a while I was OK when I did see injured patients. "I am now comfortable carrying out my duty. It is really fulfilling to know that I played a critical role in getting soldiers to urgently needed specialist medical care." Cpl Laurence has also driven local Afghan civilians, who are sometimes treated in the hospital, out of Camp Bastion so they could go home: "It can be difficult communicating with the Afghans due to obvious language difficulties, but it does give a valuable insight into their culture and customs," he said.