Fijian soldier, baby to return to Britain

The Afghanistan frontline baby born at the Camp Bastion military base will fly back to Britain tomorrow with his soldier mum.

The Sun reports that a medical team yesterday arrived in Afghanistan to bring the pair home after picking up an incubator in Cyprus.

There was no medical emergency as both mum and son are doing incredibly well where a five-week-premature baby was delivered on Tuesday.
 
It is the first time a British soldier has given birth in Afghanistan.

The unnamed Fijian — a gunner in the Royal Artillery — did not realise she was pregnant.
 
British medics delivered the child in the same hospital that treats soldiers with bomb and bullet wounds.

Lt Col Andrea Lewis, commanding officer of the Bastion Role 3 Hospital,saidthe new mum was deployed to Afghanistan in March and managed to pass all the pre-tour fitness tests including marches with a full pack and a run.

The birth took place just four days after Camp Bastion — where the bulk of the UK’s 9,500-strong force is deployed — was attacked by the Taliban. Six aircraft were destroyed and two US Marines were killed.

By Ropate Valemei