Welcome to the fourth edition of the Barbarian Blog, whether you are
reading this through the military intranet or the Internet, I hope that you
enjoy this insight into the recent activities undertaken within 159 Supply
Regiment RLC.
Operations
Since I last wrote to you the Operation HERRICK 19 cohort have continued
their deployment with 27 Regiment RLC and are now thinking of home. All Rest and Recuperation, mid-tour leave,
has been completed and the 24 Reservists will be home in April. Invitations for their medal parade, on
Saturday 26th April, will be despatched by 27 Regiment in the near
future.
Our Operation HERRICK 20 cohort are currently in Gutersloh with 1 Logistic Support Regiment
conducting their Mission Rehearsal Exercise; the final piece in the
pre-deployment jigsaw. The Adjutant,
Captain Statham, is in Gutersloh
working with our superior headquarters, HQ 102 Logistic Brigade, as part of the
validation team. He and their Troop Commander, Lieutenant Sam Walton, have
reported that spirits and enthusiasm remain high and our Reservists have been
warmly welcomed by the 1 LSR Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Lee Daley
RLC, and his team.
We also continue the Force Generation process for our final Reservist
cohort to mobilise with 6 Regiment RLC.
Due to the excellent work done in Afghanistan to set the conditions
for a timely withdrawal, there remains some uncertainty over the scale of 6 Regiment’s
committment. However we must continue to
march to our last orders, namely the training, selection and mobilisation of
one officer and 23 soldiers to deploy with 6 Regiment. The first selection weekend was an
unmitigated success and there are two more before the final selection event,
the HERRICK Battlecamp, in Sennelager during the Annual Deployment Exercise in
May.
Recruiting
Our recruiting teams remain busy, not just out on the streets attracting
potential recruits or at the National Recruiting Centre liaising with the
Candidate Support Managers, but also in our Squadron lines mentoring the
hopeful candidates that we have successfully attracted. Our attraction levels remain high and the
maintenance of interest in potential recruits has been excellent – please keep
up the hard work. Our numbers will only
grow through continued effort from all of us, so never be shy of “selling our
brand” to those who are interested. Our
Regiment’s achievements, be they sporting or operational, are boast-worthy.
Media
You will all be aware of the Regiment’s twitter feed (@159SupRegt) and I
hope that you are finding it a useful and positive tool to find out more about
what is happening and planned. To
enhance the Regiment’s profile we have established an Internet based blog via
blogspot. It is called “159er” and can
be accessed from the following link:
If anyone has a desire to be published on the web or has something that
they would like to share then please contact the Adjutant via email: 159SUP-RHQ-ADJT@MOD.UK
Around the Houses
216 (Tynemouth) Squadron
Congratulations to the Permanent Staff Instructor Staff Sergeant Banks
and to Lance Corporal Tambin who have recently welcomed new additions to their
respective families; babies Thomas and Paul are welcomed to the 159
family. The Squadron’s most notable
recent success has been the high number of volunteers who attended the
Regiment’s shooting concentration. Every
person who attended has been selected for the team and kudos to Privates
Rudman, Warbrick and Ryan who were singled out for some excellent shooting.
237 (West Bromwich) Squadron
As well as hosting a visit from the RHQ command team and a REME Colonel
to advise the Regiment on the future of the REME in the Army Reserve, the
Squadron has been busy supporting skiing as socialising – a hard old life!
The OC and SPSI were at the helm for the Regiment during Ex SKI RLC in Bavaria, overseeing some
quality skiing but sadly one or two minor injuries.
On the social front it isn’t quite what it seems. The PSAO organised a cultural evening out for
the Sqn and we visited Wolverhampton theatre
and saw “The two worlds of Charlie F”
great production with a military theme which we highly commend to
everyone linked to the services or otherwise.
243 (Coventry) Squadron
A big welcome to our newest recruit, Pte Curtis and to our latest
transfer-in Sgt Milnes, we hope you both enjoy long and successful careers in
the Regiment. Our congratulations go to
WO1 Withers who was recently awarded a Commander Land Forces Commendation for
his outstanding service to 243 Squadron and the Regiment in recent years. Such commendations are rare and WO1 Withers
is fully deserving of his award. In
addition LCpl Hoskins was named as the “Armed Forces Hero” in the Pride of
Coventry and Warwickshire 2013 awards’ ceremony. Juggling his Reservist role with his
voluntary ‘first-responder’ role, LCpl Hoskins was accompanied by his
grandfather at the awards, read more here:
(insert link to blog
article). And finally the Squadron
deployed over 20 personnel on adventurous training to Anglesey, conducting rock
climbing, kayaking and hill walking to name but a few; all for only a few
pounds!
381 (Lancaster) Squadron
381 Squadron continues to grow and is finally seeing the arrival from
the NRC of some new recruits. We welcome the following soldiers: Cpl’s Judd,
Monaghan and Fry; LCpl’s Shepherd, Hall, Davidson and Walsh. New recruits who will begin their training in
April 14 will include Pte Cox (British Olympic Judo Squad) Pte Morton and Pte
Walker.
We welcome back Cpl Whyte who had decided to leave but tells me she
missed the life too much and has withdrawn her termination. An excellent NCO we look forward to
benefitting from her and the other NCOs’ enthusiasm and experience.
This new training year will see fresh challenges as we are asked to
support various World War One remembrance activities here in Lancaster and the surrounding areas. Armed Forces Day in June promises to be
bigger than ever and we have been asked to host elements of the crew of HMS
Lancaster.
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