Wrexham Soldier helps cut bomb blasts

A Soldier from Wrexham is working on Operation Mostarak in Afghanistan to diffuse bombs.

Corporal Stewart Jones is helping to protect the lives of British troops and Afghan citizens by ensuring roads and dirt tracks used by the military and Afghan civilians alike are clear of the enemy’s improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The 26-year-old who is on his second tour of Afghanistan is second in command (2ic) of a counter IED team.

“As 2ic, my job is to operate any remote controlled equipment to disable these deadly devices. We have tracked vehicles – robots if you like – which I control using a joystick. I basically drive them out to the IED and try to make it safe. If this doesn’t work then I can always set up explosives to blow up the main charges on the IED.”

The former Mold Alun School student has been in the Army for 5 years having started as an ammunition technician.

“I always enjoyed science and the ammo technician seemed like an interesting job. I have loved every minute of it and when I go back home I will be working hard to get my promotion.”

Although his end of tour is fast approaching, Cpl Jones is careful not to let his focus shift from the job in hand.

“Clearly I am looking forward to going home to see my mum and dad, Sandra and John, and my older brother Stephen, but for now I am concentrating on the job. It will be that way until we are stood down. We are the best at what we do and I don’t intend to let myself or my team down by losing sight of what I am here to do.”