WHEN Christmas Day dawns it will be just another working day for Warrant Officer Joe Cocker from Huddersfield.
But while most of us will be unwrapping our presents in a cold, grey Huddersfield, Joe will be hard at work in the heat of Iraq.
Joe is the Transport Manager for 1 UK Medical Group and will be spending Christmas in Iraq as part of the peace support operation, Operation Telic.
1 UK Medical Group consists of 347 medical staff from all the UK Armed Forces as well as a small number of civilians who are employed to work with them in the field hospital, GP's surgery, dressing and ambulance stations, dental and physiotherapy facilities.
Joe is responsible for making sure all the Medical Group's Land Rovers and ambulances are on duty and roadworthy all over Southern Iraq.
He said: "I have a special message for my wife Sally, the kiddies Mikey and Sammy and my parents David and Christine Cocker.
"Happy birthday little Princess sorry I miss it. I hope you all have a great Christmas and I'll see you all soon.
"Note to my Dad 48 days without beer, things are becoming serious!
"We have no special plans for Christmas it is another working day out here, but the cookhouse will serve us a traditional Christmas lunch.
"And, of course, the weather will be in the 70 and 80s°F - a bit different from home."
