LANCE Corporal Chris Pennington is heading back to Oxfordshire for a well-earned break after five weeks on a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The former Carterton Community College pupil cleared bombs from a children’s play area in Helmand Province and came under days of enemy fire.

But he is looking forward to another stint in Afghanistan to finish the job.

Speaking from the country, L Cpl Pennington said: “I am looking forward to getting back out here and finishing the job we have come to do.”

He has been helping increase security in a village in Helmand Province’s Musa Qala district with 42 Field Engineer Squadron, of 28 Engineer Regiment.

L Cpl Pennington said: “When we first saw the place we had to clear it of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

“The insurgents had laid them in areas children often used to play in.

“Once we had made the area safe we set about our main task of fortifying the place.

“We took over one of the compounds and constructed sangars – or sentry posts – to give us protection.”

L Cpl Pennington is usually based in Hamelin, Germany, and joined the army seven years ago. He has already served one tour in Afghanistan, in 2006.

Referring to one incident, he said: “On a nearby hill we made an observation point where we could view the insurgent territory. It took us 17 days – the first 12 of which we were under fire.

“One of the rocket-propelled grenades landed just past where I was working, but fortunately it was a dud.”

L Cpl Pennington’s work was part of an operation to return three villages to the locals, after they were taken over by insurgents.

When they arrived in one of the villages – Chakaw – they found the enemy had fled. However, the regiment remained to clear the site of bombs and to guarantee the security of the villagers.

Lieutenant Colin Boud, of the Royal Navy, the officer commanding the team, said: “When we arrived the locals were very wary and some would not accept compensation payments for damage caused during the operation for fear of insurgent reprisals.

“When it became clear that our intentions were long term they were delighted.

“They are normal farming folk, who want to be able to live as such.

“They have very little support or sympathy for the insurgents who have no regard for their safety and are normally from out of the area.”

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