Haunted by war zone experience

FOR serving troops, the tour of duty will not end when 2 Mercian boards its flight home.

Private Damian ‘Mack’ Mackenzie (22) of Newark, warns that those who know him will have to be understanding on his return.

He says that, with everything he has seen and done, he is likely to be withdrawn and may even be aggressive.

Those who have never experienced war and death will never truly appreciate what he sees regularly.

“I have been through so much,” he said.

“Last time I was home I was more aggressive towards my mates and people I am close to.

“I would go to nightclubs and lasers or smoke machines would trigger flashbacks of firefights.

“I would think for a second I was under attack again. I would have to remember to take a step back and think ‘I am home now.’

“I have told my mum and my girlfriend what to expect and what I will be like until I get my head straight.”

Mack, who went to Toot Hill School, Bingham, while living in East Bridgford, said the Army quickly changed him from the high jinx of a typical teen and made him grow up fast.

He had only had one job before becoming a soldier — as a chef at a golf and country club — and says he always wanted to join up.

He is on his second operational tour in Helmand Province and takes pride in what he and his unit are achieving.

He said there had been significant progress in the abilities of the Afghan National Army under 2 Mercian’s stewardship.

“Last time out I was shooting them up every day and every night,” Mack said.

“Now we are here to train the Afghans. We are here for the hearts and minds

“I feel confident in the job that we are doing out here.

“One day, with the help that we are giving them, the Afghans will be able to run their own country independently and we can finally go home.”

He said it was impossible not to form strong working friendships with the Afghans.

There is an Afghan sergeant who teaches Mack his native Pashtu, and Mack teaches him English in return.

Mack invites him to dine in the camp cook house and the sergeant buys him goods from local markets.

The two men had a lucky escape on a patrol in an area north of Gereshk, known to coalition forces as Armadillo.

The two men paused and sat on a wall but were sent sprawling for cover as four rounds from an enemy AK47 whistled past Mack’s head.

They returned fire from behind the wall.

Private Mackenzie wanted to say hello to his girlfriend, Abbi Johnson (18) of Newark, and to his father and mother and three sisters, telling them that he loved them and would see them soon.