John A Silkstone
02-04-08, 22:42
Combat Medical Technician Lance Corporal Nat Jackson has been deployed forward to serve in the northernmost outpost of Kajaki, southern Helmand, and is currently the only female soldier serving there.
LCpl Jackson, otherwise known as Natty or Natrat, is on a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. She serves with 5 General Support Medical Regiment (Royal Army Medical Corps), based in Fulwood Barracks, Preston, which is currently deployed at Camp Bastion running the Field Hospital. But as a Combat Medical Technician (CMT), LCpl Jackson has been deployed forward to serve attached to 40 Commando Royal Marines in Kajaki, an area so remote it can only be re-supplied by air.
As their CMT, her primary role is to provide medical support on fighting foot patrols in the Taliban-held area around the Kajaki Dam for 200 soldiers. This group of soldiers includes Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, Royal Signals, and Afghan National Army. LCpl Jackson has also been tasked to provide immediate medical assistance to local Afghans in road traffic accidents and continually gives normal primary health care within the Forward Operating Base (FOB). As currently the FOB's only female, she is a key asset in speaking to and searching Afghan females when required. LCpl Jackson is also regularly used for guard and operational room duties.
She joined the Army in 2004 and during the last three years has passed a number of courses, including the Battle and Advanced Trauma along with Road Traffic Collision and Paediatric courses: Speaking of her deployment to Kajaki she said: "The Royal Marine Commandos are formidable in every way and I have had the privilege of serving with them here in Kajaki, the most northern operational outpost in Helmand.
She said, "As the first woman to have served here since the British forces took control two years ago, I am extremely privileged to be thought good enough to work in such challenging circumstances.
"Kajaki is an area of extreme beauty and the site of the Kajaki Dam Project, which when complete will provide electricity and water to millions of Afghans. However, for me, it is the very dusty place I call home for the next five months."
Info from MOD
Well done to another good medic.
Silky
LCpl Jackson, otherwise known as Natty or Natrat, is on a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. She serves with 5 General Support Medical Regiment (Royal Army Medical Corps), based in Fulwood Barracks, Preston, which is currently deployed at Camp Bastion running the Field Hospital. But as a Combat Medical Technician (CMT), LCpl Jackson has been deployed forward to serve attached to 40 Commando Royal Marines in Kajaki, an area so remote it can only be re-supplied by air.
As their CMT, her primary role is to provide medical support on fighting foot patrols in the Taliban-held area around the Kajaki Dam for 200 soldiers. This group of soldiers includes Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, Royal Signals, and Afghan National Army. LCpl Jackson has also been tasked to provide immediate medical assistance to local Afghans in road traffic accidents and continually gives normal primary health care within the Forward Operating Base (FOB). As currently the FOB's only female, she is a key asset in speaking to and searching Afghan females when required. LCpl Jackson is also regularly used for guard and operational room duties.
She joined the Army in 2004 and during the last three years has passed a number of courses, including the Battle and Advanced Trauma along with Road Traffic Collision and Paediatric courses: Speaking of her deployment to Kajaki she said: "The Royal Marine Commandos are formidable in every way and I have had the privilege of serving with them here in Kajaki, the most northern operational outpost in Helmand.
She said, "As the first woman to have served here since the British forces took control two years ago, I am extremely privileged to be thought good enough to work in such challenging circumstances.
"Kajaki is an area of extreme beauty and the site of the Kajaki Dam Project, which when complete will provide electricity and water to millions of Afghans. However, for me, it is the very dusty place I call home for the next five months."
Info from MOD
Well done to another good medic.
Silky