TERRITORIAL Army soldiers from across Gwent have returned home after a six-month tour of Afghanistan.

Three men from Newport, one from Tredegar and another from Crumlin, along with one from Merthyr Tydfil and two colleagues from Worcester, are back at Newport’s Raglan Barracks after their stint in the Middle East.

The Territorial Army (TA) soldiers are all part of 104 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers), the TA’s only unmanned air systems regiment.

They are the eyes and ears for the troops on the ground, checking the surrounding area for enemy forces and ensuring the soldiers know what’s around the corner.

It is their job to operate mini and tactical air systems which support ground operations in Helmand Province.

The Desert Hawk 3 is a handheld aircraft which is launched by throwing into the air and follows a pre-planned route, its camera sends a live feed and still images to stations on the ground so plans can be made and the camera is controlled using an Xbox-style control pad.

The regiment sent 17 people to Afghanistan to work in Operation Herrick and another nine will be deployed in April for the Herrick 15 tour.

Newport soldier Scott Dance, 23, has just completed his second tour – the first was in Iraq in 2009.

As with his fellow soldiers, as well as combining the long hours, extreme temperature and hard work, he has a young son at home to think about.

Matthew, two, is always at the forefront of Lance Bombardier Dance’s thoughts.

“It’s a bit emotional all in all, he’s who I miss the most.

I miss my family too, but not as much as my son.” Lance Bombardier Dance, from Ringland, who is currently looking for a job in civvy street, signed up seven years ago after considering a career in the regular Army, but the self-confessed ‘mummy’s boy’ said he was too homesick and left at the seven-week mark when the option was available.

He was later contacted about joining the TA, something he’d never thought about, and hasn’t looked back.

After volunteering for two tours into warzones, Lance Bombardier Dance said he would like to put himself forward again in the future.

“I’ll definitely do another tour, but not in the near future, I want to bond with my son. I am glad I’ve done the tours – I wanted to step up to the plate and help my fellow comrades, it’s nice to go out there and make a difference.”

‘I miss family and my girl’ - Tredegar soldier

GUNNER Lewis Taylor, 25, from Trefil, Tredegar, was on his first tour since joining the TA three years ago.

A self-employed plasterer by trade, he was one of the many hit by the recession and decided he wanted to put his training into practice, but as with many of his colleagues, being away from his family and girlfriend Joanna Summerfield was a wrench.

“I’m from a close family and being away from them for a long period of time is hard – it’s one of no end of things you miss; not being able to pick up the phone, things you take for granted before you’re out there.”

Although the soldiers found themselves in remote spots, they said they would occasionally hear speculative gunfire from the enemy: “It was a bit nerve-racking but a bit exciting at the same time,” said Gunner Taylor.

He added: “I’m definitely glad I did it and it’s great to see so many reserves out there supporting the regular Army.”