Software designer cum soldier cum 'terrorist' (From Your Local Guardian)

Software designer cum soldier cum 'terrorist'

4:30pm Sunday 12th October 2008 in

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Not many people can say they have pretended to be a terrorist to help train the national army of Kazakhstan, but that is exactly what Surbiton soldier Tony King did last month.

The fusilier joined comrades from the 4th Battalion, The Mercian Regiment on the arid steppes of central Asia delivering a two-week training package, codenamed Exercise Steppe Eagle, to member of the Kazakh Airmobile Forces.

Working alongside American counterparts from the Arizona National Guard, Fsr King spent a week leading practical lessons on setting up vehicle checkpoints, riot control, base security and how to deal with mines and improvised explosives - with his language skills proving a big help.

He said: “I speak fluent Russian and that has been particularly useful on this trip because I’ve been able to chat with the Kazakh soldiers on a one-to-one basis without the use of an interpreter.

“Generally speaking, the Kazakh Forces seem to have a strong nationalist streak and are mad keen to learn.

“They hold the British forces in very high esteem and are eager to take away as much as they can from this exercise.

“It’s been an interesting trip to be a part of.”

Fsr King, a self-employed software designer in civilian life, found his Russian speaking skills especially useful in his role as signaller, providing the communications between commanders and troops on the ground.

Colonel Daulet Ospanov, deputy head of the Kazakh Airmobile Forces, said: “We welcome the opportunity to work with the British and American forces during Exercise Steppe Eagle.

“It is through this type of training package that we can learn and share experience.

“I believe that the British Army is one of the finest in the world and it is a privilege to be working alongside them here in Kazakhstan.”