Dudley airman is firefighting on the front line

Jun 23 2009 by Mike Bradley, Birmingham Mail

A DUDLEY airman is supporting operations in Afghanistan as one of the Royal Air Force’s busiest firefighters.

Senior Aircraftsman Stuart Hill, 29, from Quarry Bank, is a firefighter in the RAF Fire & Rescue Service, serving at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Bastion, the largest British base to have been built since the Second World War, is one of the busiest airfields in the world; in April, as the US Marine Corps arrived and British Army units changed over, this dusty desert airbase was as busy as London Gatwick Airport.

“I always wanted to be firefighter,” said SAC Hill, who is halfway through his first tour of Afghanistan with the twelve firefighters of Blue Watch.

“Although I wanted to join the civilian fire service, an RAF firefighter told me I should think about the military.

“I have absolutely no regrets about deciding to join the Air Force. It’s the best job in the world.

“I get to do everything that civilian firefighters do – such as rescuing people and providing a quality service – and then some.”

SAC Hill is at ease with the challenges he faces in one of the toughest places the RAF operates from.

“We have to help medics to extract wounded soldiers from the battlefield,” he explained.

“I really feel for the troops; they are fighting day-in day-out for the people of Afghanistan. It feels great to know that I’m helping to save lives; I’m really proud to play my part.”

He returns home in August, and already knows exactly what he wants to do when he is back.

“I can’t wait to get out and do some proper shopping,” he laughed. “It’s odd what you miss, but getting back to a normal routine will be brilliant.”