Off to war

By Melissa Meehan
Army Reserve lance-corporal and Narre Warren police sergeant Glen Northeast will be deployed to Afghanistan in coming days to provide support to Australian troops in the war-torn country.
This is the first time in over 30 years in the Reserve that Lance-Corporal Northeast, a police sergeant at Narre Warren, has been sent to a war zone.
“I’m a little nervous, a bit apprehensive,” L-Cpl Northeast said.
“But I have no doubt the Australian Army is doing a great job with very good people.”
L-Cpl Northeast will spend just over six months in Afghanistan as a member of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT).
His role will include joint movement control of logistics and co-ordination that involves the planning, routing, scheduling and control of personnel and cargo movements to and from Australia, and throughout the entire country.
“I’ve been away before for up to a couple of months, but nothing like this,” he said.
“It will be a little different – it’s a war zone.”
L-Cpl was farewelled by his police colleagues at the Berwick RSL last week, all who have all been very supportive.
“They’re all probably a bit jealous to tell the truth,” he said.
Colleague Peter Beames said it was an exciting time to see his mate deployed to Afghanistan. “It’s something he has been working towards for some time, so we are all pleased for him,” he said.
While looking forward to his duty, L-Cpl Northeast said he expects time to fly while he is in Afghanistan.
“I’ve been part of the Reserve for over 30 years,” he said.
“I see it (going to Afghanistan) as a duty to my country, the same as joining the police force.”
He will join fellow reservists over coming days on the 16-hour trip to the sandy desert. “Most people ask how I am going to deal with the heat, not realising that it is leading up to winter,” he said.
“Sometimes it can get to 20-below.
“But I’ll have the good gear and be much too busy to complain about the cold.”
On his return, L-Cpl Northeast will spend some quality time with his family before returning to the police force.