A HOCKEY player from the region has swapped the chill of the ice rink for slightly warmer climes after being deployed in Afghanistan with the RAF.

Teresa Lewis from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is on her first operational tour after being stationed in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

However, the 29-year-old should already be somewhat accustomed to the desert heat having previously served as an RAF firefighter.

Senior Aircraftwoman (SAC) Lewis said she is putting her firefighter’s skills to use in Afghanistan where she is responsible for evacuating seriouslywounded casualties to Camp Bastion hospital.

She said: “The role of the firefighter is aircraft fires and domestic cover. A typical week varies from control, casualty evacuations, dangerous air cargo cover and immediate response truck cover.

“It’s different from my local station, as we have different aircraft and helicopters and I also get to work with coalition forces.”

SAC Lewis’ family, in Newton Aycliffe, are proud but concerned, although they are used to her being in the thick of the action.

She said: “I have represented Great Britain at ice hockey for more than ten years, but I have temporarily traded the icerink for the desert.

“Being out here is completely different to my daily life back home.

“You have to put your own feelings to the back of your mind and make sure that you are helping out the best you can.

“I am as safe as houses here at Camp Bastion, good job too as the new ice hockey season beckons when I return.”