Keeping up morale in Iraq: LCpl Gaitley
British personnel are currently deployed in Iraq on Operation SHADER. As part of a global coalition, troops from the British Army are working to help secure Daesh’s lasting defeat. Over 60,000 Iraqi Security Forces members have now been trained by British soldiers.
LCpl Mia Gaitley tells us about her time supporting the British training team in Iraq. 👇
I am currently deployed on Operation SHADER in Iraq. My day to day work entails ensuring those that I work with gets paid the correct amount and their Allowances are correct whilst being on an Operation.
This is a massive morale booster to them when they see their pay is correct at the end of each month, stuff like this helps personnel perform better on the operation.
My journey here…I Left Camp back in England in December 2019 and went to RAF Brize Norton Airport, our flight there was delayed to Akrotiri meaning our flight to Taji was then cancelled.
The following day our flight was cancelled again so we then finally arrived in Iraq 2 days later.
My first 24hrs in theatre was quite intense as I did not have long to do a handover takeover and there was a lot to learn, especially when I was on very little sleep as well!
Being on this Operation is important to me for many reasons, I have always wanted to deploy on tour in my Military career! So, having the opportunity to do so means a lot to me.
My dad has deployed on a couple of Operations, so this is quite close to my heart — being able to follow his footsteps.
A story that highlights my favourite aspect of being deployed on Op Shader has got to be when I got the opportunity to travel to Union III — a closed-off area in central Baghdad which is occupied by the US and British.
I was nervous at first as I was travelling on my own and I didn’t want to miss my flight, but the experience was great. I have never travelled in a Helicopter and I got the chance to fly in a Coalition helicopter which was awesome!
I miss seeing my family and friends the most. Not being able to just see them whenever I like is what I miss.
I also miss the freedom you have, just being able to go out whenever you like and eat all kinds of different food.
