Yorkshire soldier in training for mission to Afghanistan

Rifleman Gareth Yates, 19, who serves with 1st Battalion The Rifles, spent two weeks at the British Army's Crew Training School (CTS) in Sennelager, north Germany, to prepare him in how to operate military vehicles as part of a crew.

The school has been set up specifically to prepare vehicle crews for Afghanistan.

Rifleman Yates, from Morley, said: "I am training to provide top gun cover for the mastiffs in theatre, we are receiving a lot of tactical training – what to do in combat situations – I will be part of a crew and will take part in convoy missions.

"It is great training on the Mastiff, it is very well armoured and has never been penetrated by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) explosion so you are quite well protected.

He added: "The course is very interesting but hard work. I am looking forward to going to Afghanistan, it's what we all train for, it's my job.

"I will probably get a bit nervous before we go but you just have to get on with it. We all know going to Afghanistan is part of what we do."

The former Woodkirk High School student joined the Army in 2009.