A soldier from Pebmarsh has played a key role in the search for a missing submarine in Argentina.

Lieutenant Jessie Casey, an officer in the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, acted as an interpreter during the search for the ARA San Juan which disappeared with 44 crew on board in November.

Lt Casey, who serves as a troop commander with the 32 Battery, was part of a team sent to South America to aid the recuse mission alongside 14 other countries.

Lt Casey, who was stationed on the Falkland Islands, was called to Puerto Belgrano naval base in Argentina where she worked in the operations centre.

Her main job was to use her knowledge of Spanish to interpret during the Argentine-led operations briefings.

She was also required to translate on other operations where the language barrier caused an issue.

Lt Casey said: “The days were fast-paced and intense. It was not at all what I had expected when I deployed. It goes without saying that I am unlikely to be involved in such an operation again.

“Although this was a different sort of challenge, I learned a lot about working with the international community and overall, the experience highlighted the significance of our militaries working together towards a common goal.”

Lt Casey has since returned to the Falkland Islands following her 32-day stay in Argentina.

The UK’s input into the search has helped the Argentines refine their efforts, however there has as yet been no sighting of the missing submarine.

It is the first time since the Falklands War in 1982 that British officers have travelled from the islands to Argentina in an official capacity.