A ROYAL Navy sailor from Freshbrook is playing a key role in a major deployment to the Mediterranean and Middle East, including supporting international efforts to protect civilians in Libya.

Sacha Holland started her working life behind the counter at McDonald’s in West Swindon.

Now, the 19-year-old is serving on HMS Albion, the Flagship of the Royal Navy.

The 18,500 tonne amphibious assault ship is leading the Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group, a maritime quick reaction force consisting of ships, helicopters and Royal Marines.

Sacha – or Able Seaman Holland as she is known in the Navy – is a Communication and Information Systems (CIS) specialist.

The former Bradon Forest school pupil said: “I chose my branch because it was something completely different to anything I have ever done before.

“Whilst the ship is leading a Task Force, it is necessary to have communications at all times, which I set up and maintain.

“There is also a need to receive and send signals 24 hours a day, which could include anything from ordering our stores to mission critical signals.”

Since leaving the UK in April, HMS Albion had been busy on amphibious exercises in the Mediterranean and strengthening the UK’s relationships in the Middle East.

But at the end of May, the Task Group was diverted from an exercise off Cyprus to Libya.

In an effort to increase pressure on Col Gaddafi, Apache helicopters from HMS Ocean were launched against selected military targets ashore. HMS Albion acted as the floating command platform for the Task Group.

AS Holland said: “We had to ensure that all mission critical communications circuits were fully functional.

“I also had a secondary role in the Emergency Party, in case we needed to respond to fires, floods or other emergencies.”

An ex-Windmill Hill Primary pupil, she joined the Navy in 2009 and did basic training at HMS Raleigh, Cornwall, and specialist training at HMS Collingwood, Hampshire.

She said: “The operations off the coast of Libya were an eye-opener and allowed me to put my training into practice.”

The deployment has taken her to Gibraltar, Crete, Muscat and Abu Dhabi, but Swindon remains home.

“When I’m at home, I enjoy being able to do what I want when I want, such as swimming and using the gym at the Oasis Leisure Centre or going for family walks in Lydiard Park”.

Capt James Morley, HMS Albion’s Commanding Officer, said: “The success of any warship is built on team work.

“The weapon operators, pilots and marines simply could not do their jobs without the dedicated support of people like Able Seaman Sacha Holland working tirelessly behind the scenes.”