Love's a battlefield for military couple
SOLDIER Andrea Clark is about to end her tour of duty in Afganistan - but husband Ian is now preparing to fly out for his stint in the war-torn country.
Sergeant Clark, 35, a mother of two from Highfields, is currently working in a support role at a new field hospital, Camp Bastion, in Helmand province that was officially opened earlier this month by the Armed Forces Minister Bob Hainsworth.
A soldier for 17 years, she is serving with 5 General Support Regiment providing the vital administrative support to the medical staff needed to keep the new hospital running.
She is due to finish her six month tour of duty and can't wait to return home to Ian, son Ben, 14, daughter Shannon, three, and her parents, who look after the children, in April.
But her reunion with Ian, 35, will be short for the soldier with 2 Battalion The Rifles is due to commence training prior to his deployment to Afghanistan next year.
Sgt Clark said: "My long-suffering mother is wonderful, but I know she enjoys it really, and as for Ian, well, we will have some time together when I get back which I am counting down the days for."
The teamwork is still the same but the working conditions are much better for the UK Medical Group in Helmand since the opening of the new hospital, not least beause of the move out of tents and into buildings.
She said: "The hospital was always well organised and we worked so well together as a team, however, for me, just being able to use a proper office and to have the room to move around and speak to people easily is a real bonus.
"I can't tell you how good it is to have windows again so we can tell whether it is day or night!"
The work is challenging, but rewarding, particularly looking after children, said Sgt Clark.
The new hospital facility replaced a tented field hospital which has stood at the site since 2003 and provides emergency trauma care for British servicemen and women, those from other coalition nations and local Afghan troops, police and civilians.
The state-of-the-art hospital can accommodate 37 patients and has 100 staff.
Prior to working in the hospital, Sgt Clark's long Army career has taken her around the world, deploying on training exercises and operations to Ireland, Germany, Bosnia and now Afghanistan.
During that time she has covered a range of duties, from supply specialist and clerk to welfare officer.
Her current role requires her to handle the air movements, pay issues and discipline of the hospital squadron as well as a whole host of other administrative duties.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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