A SOLDIER from Chester has returned home after completing a tough six-month deployment to Afghanistan.
Craftsman Michael Pearce from Chester has been serving in Camp Bastion as a vehicle mechanic with 12 Equipment Support Company, part of 1 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), based in Catterick.
The former student of Castell Alun High School in Hope, Flintshire, joined the Army in 2007.
His role in Afghanistan was to repair and maintain vehicles and equipment that are critical to supporting the effort to provide a better future for the Afghan people.
In addition to his primary role he has also deployed as a top cover sentry manning a vehicle-mounted machine gun on Combat Logistic Patrols (CLPs) that re-supply the troops who are placed furthest forward. He deployed on more CLPs than any other vehicle mechanic in his Battalion during his six months spent in Afghanistan.
The Theatre Equipment Support Battalion’s role is to carry out maintenance and repair of all vehicles, weapons, sights and radios currently in Afghanistan. They also provide recovery support to Combat Logistic Patrols where they have to tow or lift vehicles that break down, become stuck due to the difficult driving conditions or are struck by roadside bombs.
REME tradesmen are expected to deploy via helicopter or by road to the smaller Forward Operating Bases and checkpoints to carry out their jobs in an even more austere and challenging environment.
Talking about the tour, Michael said: “This has been my first operational tour during my military career and has been very challenging. The Mastiff section has been very busy throughout the deployment, but the section worked well as a team and has proved very successful.
“I cannot wait to get back and see my friends and family for a few beers.”
