Last updated at 16:39, Monday, 04 March 2013

TWO former Parkview pupils have been training hard in preparation for heading out to Afghanistan.

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Kingsman Jamie Costa, of the Second Battalion Duke of Lancaster Regiment, and Kingsman Jordan Broome, of the Fourth Battalion Duke of Lancaster Regiment, are due to begin active service later this month.

The two Barrovians were among 500 soldiers taking part in a training camp at Salisbury, as part of their final preparations.

Kgn Costa, 18, told the Evening Mail: “The training has been brilliant. It has been good to do operations and things like that.

“We have just been practicing a lot of things to ensure we are ready to go out to Afghanistan, things that will ensure we are ready to go out there.”

Kgn Costa said he had enjoyed getting a taste of what life will be like in the army and that he had always wanted to join up.

The soldiers have been testing vehicles, weapons and techniques they expect to make use of in their six month spell away, where they will be mentoring soldiers of the Afghan National Army. Kgn Jordan Broome, 20, has had a long wait to go out to Afghanistan, having previously gone through training with the army but then having to drop out.

However, the Territorial Army offered him an alternative route into service and said he is as prepared as he’ll ever be.

“I am ready now,” he said. “We have been doing a lot of training. I am anxious to go but really excited.

“We have got to be physically fit and I have had to do my own training. Mentally though, I don’t think you can prepare until you are out there.”

Kgn Broome said he was looking forward to a few weeks to relax before flying out.

He said: “You try and catch up with your family as much as you can. We have got some leave coming up, which is good. It just seems like any other job really.”

The pair are set to spend six months serving in Afghanistan.

First published at 16:29, Monday, 04 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk