CASUALTIES were evacuated from the battle zone and survivors rescued from a horrific car accident in Preston last week.

But it wasn't the worst tragedy to hit the town in recent years - it was a simulated exercise, and a chance for troops to train in emergency drill ready for deployment to Bosnia.

Soldiers from all over the North West took part in the sessions at Fulwood Barracks last week in preparation for Operation Lodestar in March when they travel to the war-ravaged country with their unit, 5 Field Ambulance.

Among them were doctors, nurses, combat medics and ambulance drivers from Preston, South Ribble and Chorley.

Experienced Lance Corporal Robert Milsom, a combat medical technician with the unit, said he was really looking forward to the experience.

The 31-year-old from Ingol said: "It's like a third world country over there from what I understand. But I really can't wait to go.

"The only down side is that my sister's getting married in August, so I hope I can get my two weeks leave for then."

Private Nikki Brooks, 21, from Lea, is the army's equivalent of a civilian paramedic. She said: "I've been looking forward to something like this since I was 16."

And she said it was no problem working with so many men: "I do the same as the lads do and it's all good fun," she added.

Lance Corporal Anthony Smith, who helps re-fuel ambulances, has been out to Bosnia twice before so he knows what to expect.

The 24-year-old from Fishwick said: "The first time I went over was when the war was on, that was pretty bad. But I'm looking forward to going back and seeing the chances, it will be nice to see the people getting their lives back together."

Nearly 200 soldiers will fly out to Bosnia on March 15.

5 Field Ambulance has been based at Fulwood Barracks since 1993, prior to this it was stationed in Munster, Germany, from 1976-1993.

It last served in Bosnia in 1996 when it took part in Operation Resolute.

But it wasn't the worst tragedy to hit the town in recent years - it was a simulated exercise, and a chance for troops to train in emergency drill ready for deployment to Bosnia. Soldiers from all over the North West took part in the sessions at Fulwood Barracks last week in preparation for Operation Lodestar in March when they travel to the war-ravaged country with their unit, 5 Field Ambulance.

Among them were doctors, nurses, combat medics and ambulance drivers from Preston, South Ribble and Chorley.

Experienced Lance Corporal Robert Milsom, a combat medical technician with the unit, said he was really looking forward to the experience.

The 31-year-old from Ingol said: "It's like a third world country over there from what I understand. But I really can't wait to go.

"The only down side is that my sister's getting married in August, so I hope I can get my two weeks leave for then."

Private Nikki Brooks, 21, from Lea, is the army's equivalent of a civilian paramedic. She said: "I've been looking forward to something like this ever since I was 16."

And she said it was no problem working with so many men: "I do the same as the lads do and it's all good fun," she added.

Lance Corporal Anthony Smith, who helps re-fuel ambulances, has been out to Bosnia twice before so he knows what to expect.

The 24-year-old from Fishwick said: "The first time I went over was when the war was on, that was pretty bad. But I'm looking forward to going back and seeing the chances, it will be nice to see the people getting their lives back together."

Nearly 200 soldiers will fly out to Bosnia on March 15.

5 Field Ambulance has been based at Fulwood Barracks since 1993, prior to this it was stationed in Munster, Germany, from 1976-1993.

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