Bringing troops safely home

Cheryl Kelser's a grandmother and former beauty therapist – so what's she doing in Afghanistan with a group of other volunteers from Wiltshire? Chris Ducker explains

A fter a career as a beauty therapist and bereavement counsellor, Cheryl Kelser, of Wroughton, near Swindon, decided in her early 40s to set herself a completely new challenge – by training to become a nurse.

But she didn't stop there. After qualifying and beginning work at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon, Cheryl went one stage further and joined the RAF Reserve at Lyneham-based 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and geared herself up for front-line duty in Afghanistan.

Corporal Kelser, now 47 and a grandmother-to-be in December, returned from her first stint in the war zone earlier this year. And this week she was back in action at the squadron's annual camp, which took place at a reservists' training facility on the Isle of Wight.

The programme offered some of the newer recruits a chance to put classroom theory into practice for the first time.

The programme included some remarkably realistic training in dealing with battlefield trauma cases.

For Cheryl, life as a reservist could hardly be more rewarding. "I just wanted a complete change and a challenge that would take me out of my comfort zone," she said.

"Dealing with some very seriously injured people in Afghanistan certainly did that. Fortunately, the training we received was brilliant and it thoroughly prepared me for going out into theatre.

"It was great to work with different personnel and to be part of a superb team where communications were of the highest standard. There were times when my counselling skills came in useful in talking to other people. Talking also helped me to cope with testing situations.

"There were things that happened out there that I will never forget. But would I go again? Of course."

Cheryl recently took up a new post in Swindon's intensive care unit. Like many of her colleagues, she is grateful for the support received from employers – in her case, the Great Western Hospitals' NHS Foundation Trust – in allowing time off for Reservist training.

4626 Squadron is the only aeromedical evacuation unit in the Reserve Forces. Founded in 1983 in the aftermath of the Falklands War, its motto, Tute Domum, which means "safely home", reflects its role – to provide medical care for sick or injured personnel who need to fly back to the UK for treatment.

The squadron is rightly proud of an extraordinary record of war service, ranging from the Gulf and Iraq through to the current crisis in Afghanistan. More than 90 per cent of members respond to call-up.

Many, inevitably, are recruited from the NHS. But there are plenty of examples of people with no medical experience giving outstanding service.

These include Flight Sergeant Jason Prior, 36, of Chippenham, who works in financial services at Lloyds TSB head office in Canons Marsh, Bristol.

Now in his 18th year with 4626, he is a senior NCO with experience serving both in the 2003 Gulf War and then in Afghanistan two years ago.

"Reservist service offers me a complete contrast from what is quite a technical, desk-based civilian role," he explained.

"I thought of joining the Regulars at one stage, but this has given me the best of both worlds.

"Afghanistan was completely different to the Gulf War – more intensive, extremely busy and also stressful on occasions but one heck of a rewarding experience, which has certainly not put me off possible further deployment in the future.

"It was not only a case of dealing with injured soldiers. There were local casualties, adults and children, all of whom received the same standard of care.

"The fact we might well be helping a Taliban suspect is something that maybe our soldiers would have found difficult to accept.

"But we were not there to be judge and jury. We have to be impartial as part of the Geneva Convention."

Among those attending his first annual camp was Corporal Kyle Thompson, of St George, Bristol, who joined 18 months ago.

The 33-year-old is an ex-engineer who decided on a career change to nursing that has led to a job in the admissions unit at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital.

"I thought that by joining the Reserves it would help increase my skills and confidence in my civilian job and would also be something really worthwhile," he said.

"The first thing they told me when I applied to 4626 was that service in Afghanistan would be highly likely.

"That's what I want to do – there is no point in tackling all the training if you are not prepared to meet that challenge."

4626, part of the RAF's Tactical Medical Wing, is currently undertaking a recruitment drive. It works closely with NHS Trusts in the region.

"The level of support has been excellent and we have steadily increased our numbers to 113, with 21 involved in the basic recruit course," said Wing Commander Marie-Noelle Orzel, the Officer Commanding.

"Of course, not everyone in the NHS will be in a position to offer the commitment required of a Reservist.

"But for anyone with a little spare time and who wishes to take up a very special challenge, the role offers a different kind of experience in teamwork, leadership and management.

"In particular, we need more emergency and intensive care nurses and doctors as well as paramedics and other nurses."

For information about 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, call 01249 8896861 or e mail jncorecruiting@4626sqn.raf.mod.uk.

To learn more about Reservist recruitment in the South West, call The Wessex Reserve Forces & Cadets Association on 0800 220953 or log on to www.TAwessex.org.uk.

The 4626 Squadron has a new Honorary Air Commodore – Air Vice-Marshal Simon Dougherty – who recently retired after a distinguished RAF career lasting 39 years.

Air Vice-Marshal Dougherty joined the RAF as a medical cadet and worked variously as a general practitioner, aviation medicine specialist and occupational health consultant before spending the last 15 years holding senior policy, delivery and governance appointments with the RAF and Ministry of Defence.

These included four years as Chief of Staff (Health) and Director-General Medical Services (RAF) – in others words, he was the top RAF doctor.

His appointment with 4626 was sanctioned by the Queen.

"I consider it a great honour and a wonderful opportunity to work with a very impressive and dedicated group of people," he said.

"It is impossible to belittle the huge sacrifices our Reservists make in terms of time. And, of course, when they serve alongside Regular medics in places such as Afghanistan, they immediately form an integral part of a team.

"Frequently, in fact, they bring valuable experience to the table that may be quite different to that of their military colleagues.

"I look forward to using my experience to offer broad support to the unit as well as helping with the important task of interfacing with employers."

Until recently, Air Vice-Marshal Dougherty lived in the Gloucester area, but he has now moved to Colchester, Essex.