Afghanistan

Royal Navy IED experts set for action

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Two explosive experts are heading to Afghanistan next week as part of the Royal Navy's high-threat team specialising in handling roadside bombs.

Lieutenant Commander Al Nekrews and Leading Diver Craig Waghorn will work throughout Helmand Province for six months, supported by two British Army personnel. The duo have just qualified.

Lt Cdr Nekrews, who will head up the four-man team, said: Up until now the specialist high-threat operators in theatre have all been from the Army's Royal Logistic Corps, so I am immensely proud to be the first from the Royal Navy to carry out that role.

"It will be a long way from the marine environment we are used to working in, si it's a hugely challenging role but I'm looking forward to getting out there and getting the job done.

"The RLC high-threat operators are the best in the world so working alongside them will be a great experience."

LD Waghorn said: "The role of bomb disposal ultimately saves the lives of our servnig personnel so it'll be good to be part of a team that can make a real difference. It's great for the Royal Navy's Clearance Diving Branch and the Royal Navy as a whole that we now have this specilaist high threat bmob disposal capability."