PRINTER Chris Cobb swapped his presses for Army field artillery at weekends when he joins his comrades in the Territorials. He left his home in East London for a live firing’ training exercise on Salisbury Plain last week—ready for action in Afghanistan

+++

PRINTER Chris Cobb swapped his presses for Army field artillery at weekends when he joins his comrades in the Territorials.

He left his home in East London for a live firing’ training exercise on Salisbury Plain last week—ready for action in Afghanistan.

Chris joined up with the 100th (Yeomanry) Regiment of Royal Artillery to try out their 105mm light guns nicknamed the dragons’ by the Taliban because of the flame that spits out of the barrel when fired.

Chris, a printer by trade from East Ham, has been a member of the TA for five years and is due to go on operations to Afghanistan in August with 7 Para Regiment.

VOLUNTEER

“I volunteered to be considered for a tour of duty,” he revealed.

“This training is important in the preparation we need to undergo before deploying abroad.”

The Royal Artillery is affiliated to 7 Parachute Regiment. So in addition to their gun skills, many have also completed the Regular Army’s physically challenging parachute course at RAF Brize Norton, allowing them to wear the coveted Para Wings.

Some 120 live shells were fired by the Reservists across Salisbury Plain during the training.

The field gun operated by a detachment of six men is versatile and maneuverable and can be carried around the battlefield slung under Puma or Chinook helicopters.

The Regiment has deployed 133 Reservists to Afghanistan to date, with 10 gunners sent out every six months to serve with Regular Royal Artillery regiments.