Trooper David home after spell in Iraq
A trooper who has been training Iraqi soldiers says the situation in the wartorn country is improving.
David Holden, who is normally based in Germany, is staying with his parents in Holbeach and catching up with his family and friends in the area while on leave.
The Essex-born soldier (22) moved to Holbeach with his parents when he was a toddler.
He has just completed a six-month tour of Iraq, during which he was stationed in Basra preparing the emerging Iraqi army to take over peacekeeping duties in its own country.
Last week UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he believed Iraq was "stepping back from the abyss" and at the weekend the US announced that the number of soldiers killed last month was the lowest for four years.
Mr Holden, who drives a Warrior Tank, says that there is still opposition from insurgents but the transition of power over to Iraq is going well.
He said: "I have been training and assisting the Iraqi army and getting them ready to take over. They were enthusiastic and they want their country to be independent and not need us there. We were getting rocket attacks every day from insurgents and I was involved in a few near misses with roadside bombs.
"At the moment it's pretty calm and things have got better."
He is backing plans for an Armed Forces Day and believes it might help raise awareness of what Britain's troops do.
Mother Babs, of The Hollies, said she was relieved to see him return unharmed.
Mrs Holden said: "It is nice to see him come back safe and sound.
"I have been worrying for six months."
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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