It's a far cry from his day job as a self-employed mechanical technician in Keighley.

Dad Mick Natynczyk was today waving goodbye to civilian life and getting ready to team up with the Allied forces poised for war with Iraq.

As the 34-year-old - who has two children aged 12 and 16 - prepared to jet out to the Gulf, he admitted it would be a wrench to leave his family behind in Keighley.

He is one of 40 Territorial Army Paratroopers based at the Thornbury Barracks in Pudsey who have been mobilised for any impending conflict.

And - despite missing his 15th wedding anniversary while he is on duty in Iraq - Corporal Natynczyk said he was proud to be serving his country.

"Of course, there is always a chance of something going wrong, so it is hard to leave your loved ones behind," he said.

"My children are a bit upset and my wife even more so, but we've talked about it and she has come to terms with the fact it is something we have to do.

"While I am away I will be thinking about my family and friends back here. But this is a chance to go out there and do something worthwhile. I am very proud to be involved."

Corporal Natynczyk said the soldiers - the UK's only Territorial Army Parachute Battalion - had been expecting the call ever since the military build-up began.

"Among the lads, the atmosphere is one of excitement, but also a bit of apprehension," he said. "We have had a feeling for a while that something might come about.

"This is the biggest thing we have ever done. We've been on overseas exercises, but never done any peacekeeping at all. None of us have any idea exactly what we'll be doing over there."

Corporal Natynczyk said the call-up could give him the chance to put into action some of the exercises he has been practising in his nine years in the TA.

And his colleague Corporal Stuart Greasley, 36, of Pudsey, agreed.

He served with the regular Army for three years in Northern Ireland but admitted the prospect of joining a war in Iraq represented a different type of challenge.

Corporal Greasley, who has an 11-year-old son, has given up his job as an engineer at the Pudsey Mould Company for the assignment which is expected to last at least three months.

"I have mixed feelings," he said. "It's what we train to do and we've always felt that, should it come to this, then we are professionals, it's our job, and we'll take it on board.

"My girlfriend has mixed emotions, but she understands and all I can do is reassure her. But my dad used to be in the Army himself and is very proud of me."

He added that his brother-in-law, who served in the last Gulf War, had been offering advice on what to expect.

The battalion is due to spend a short time at the Reserve Training and Mobilisation Centre at Chilwell, Nottingham, where the troops will have final medical checks.

They will then team up with the 16 Air Assault Brigade and the First and Third Battalions of the Parachute Regiment before heading to the Gulf.