Big thank you from Lisburn.com

Forces broadcaster to return to Afghanistan

Rachel to keep troops in touch with their families back home

Rachel Cochrane in Afghanistan

Rachel Cochrane in Afghanistan

LISBURN broadcaster Rachel Cochrane is making ready for her second tour to Afghanistan.

The BFBS Northern Ireland radio presenter, who presents her show from Thiepval Barracks in the city, will be based at the studios in Camp Bastion, broadcasting to British troops in Afghanistan, and all around the Forces world. Rachel is going to be presenting the "Total Ops Connection' for the next three months, providing a vital two-way link between troops on operations and their families back home.

"My show is all about connecting the troops in Afghanistan with their friends and families at home," explained Rachel. "It can pull on the heartstrings, but that's a great part of the job. It means that the guys and girls serving on ops know that their families are OK back home and vice versa."

This will be Rachel's second tour with BFBS to Afghanistan, having spent three months living and working at Camp Bastion in 2010.

"It was an amazing experience, though at times it could be difficult,"  she continued. "The servicemen and women face very challenging and scary times, it's really admirable how they work together as a team and I was really amazed at how they were able to keep each other's spirits up.

"I feel very honoured to be part of their world and being able to put a smile on a soldier's face by giving them a message from home and knowing that even though they maybe having a rough day, you can turn it around for them, makes my job worthwhile."

Local people can tune into Rachel on the 'Total Ops Connection' live from Afghanistan, weekdays from 10.0013.00 on BFBS in Lisburn on 100.6 FM. You can also listen to Rachel on DAB Digital Radio, on Sky Guide 0211, Freesat Channel 786, www.bfbs.com and via the new BFBS smartphone app. If you have family, friends or loved ones currently based overseas with the Forces, then remember you can send a message of support online at www.bfbs.com/messages.

julieann.spence@ulsterstar.co.uk

Ulster Star
27/01/2012