Hello, and welcome

Well hello to all the Herald readers, allow me to introduce myself I am Sergeant (Sgt) Trevor Skeggs, a 32 year old married father of 3. I am currently serving with 8 (Alma) Commando Battery (Bty) of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery. My role within in the Bty is that of the Signals Sgt. I am tasked to maintain and provide communications for the Bty not only during training but also whilst on operations. Based at the Royal Citadel, I’ve served with this unit since leaving training and passing the All Arms Commando course in 1993. After arriving in Plymouth I have met and married my wife Sandra, and had 3 lovely children; Sophie who is 11, Emily 7 and Amy who is 2.
I have been asked to write this blog whilst deployed on Op Herrick 9 in Afghanistan. Not only do I see it as a great opportunity to stay in touch with those back home but to also give those in Plymouth who aren’t aware of what my Regiment does a great chance to find out. Over the next 6 months I hope that those of you who read this will get to know not only me and my close colleagues, but also gain an understanding of what it is we are trying to achieve in Helmand province Afghanistan.
Saturday 13th September
Well the first day of pre-deployment leave, and the madness of family life is in full swing. Knowing that within 2 weeks I will have to say goodbye to all this and pass over the reigns and the role of both parents to Sandra can be hard to accept. You just have to carry on and maintain the routine as though it is not approaching at a rapid rate of knots.
Sophie my eldest knows what I do and why I’m going out to Afghanistan, but for my youngest two, Emily and Amy maintaining the normal pattern of family life will help to make my departure that little bit easier for us all. Amy can be a right little daddy’s girl, and with her now being 2 she is going to notice my absence from her life for such a long time. This will no doubt be a trying and testing period for Sandra.
Tuesday 16th
Well less than 2 weeks until I depart for Afghanistan. The RAF have a nasty habit of bringing flights forward when you are leaving your family for 6 months and then delaying them when it comes to getting you home, please don’t let it happen this time!
Monday 22nd
Well back to work, I don’t think I’ve known a week to pass so quickly, but it was so nice to spend some quality time with my family before I depart for Afghanistan. I can now only hope that the next 6 months pass just as quickly and safely.
When you think you’ve just ticked the last item on your kit list and you know that all you have to now do is parade for the transport, they go and throw more specialist equipment at you, time to repack again. I think all that I am missing now is the kitchen sink!
The equipment that we now get for our role on operations such as Op Herrick 9 is considerable, but the equipment has come a long way since the first time I deployed to Afghanistan with 3 Commando Brigade in 2002. It not only keeps us safe and protected it also allows us to carry out high tempo operations within the harsh environment of Helmand Province.
Well time to make sure I don’t actually need to pack the kitchen sink and to enjoy my last few days with my girls. The next piece you will read will be when I have arrived in Camp Bastion and begun my transition for my role within Afghanistan.