Soldier trains in Kenya in preparation for Afghanistan

A FORMER Ruislip school pupil has been battling with the harsh terrain and environment of the East African savannah training hard for his forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan next month.

Royal Military Policeman Corporal Ross Ackland, 23, from South Ruislip, has been taking part in a six week exercise in central Kenya.

Exercise Grand Prix replicates the realities of military operations in a hot climate with temperatures of 40 degrees. Troops have to consume six litres of water a day to keep hydrated.

The exercise not only concentrates on firepower, but also on building relations with local people. It uses local actors to ensure that the soldiers learn to deal with foreign cultures; the realism is further enhanced by working alongside the Kenyan Army just as soldiers would work with the Afghanistan National Army.

Former Queensmead School student, Ross, who joined the army in 2006 and has since served in Sudan, is due to deploy to Afghanistan in a close support role protecting the Commanding Officer of his Company.

He said: "We have an important job protecting the company commander and ensuring that any enemy insurgents we capture are well taken care of and don't cause any problems.

"I am due to go to Afghanistan next month, so it's nice to be able to work in an environment with the same heat and terrain and similar challenges to what I will face in Afghanistan. I am looking forward to going there and to put into practice all the training I have received.

"I really enjoy being in Kenya, it's a really interesting country with friendly people. I have seen all the main wildlife here such as elephants and giraffes, which are extraordinary."