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LCpl James McCool winning the Armed Forces (UKAF) Light-middleweight division (U71KG)
saw the female team finish in 1st place. The Queen’s Gurkha Signals organised and participated in another successful Ex TRAILWALKER, taking 15 SP to compete in Ex DRAGON MERCURY GLACIER held in Norway and for Capt Heppenstall (Sp Sqn) supported by the Gymnasium Staff, to host the 1st ever UK Forces Strongman Seminar.
Beyond the realm of Physical Training and Sport, the Regiment successfully conducted the annual skiing expedition,
30th Signal Regiment Instructors, including SSgt (SSI) Carlin, participating in Ex DRAGON GLACIER
Ex DRAGON GLACIER. The trip saw 83 SP from across the Regiment deploy over 2 weeks to Alpendorf, Austria. The training was delivered by 8 Instructors including SSgt Carlin and consisted of qualifying SP in all 3 Ski Foundation levels. The trip was a momentous success and was
thoroughly enjoyed by all that attended and lived up to expectations, with glorious sunshine on the slopes.
30th Signal Regiment can look back on a successful year marked by achievements and growth.
Another extremely busy year for 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD&S) with the unit being deployed on over 30 various Operations, Exercises and Short- Term Training Teams (STTTs) all over the world. Despite the constant stream of trawls, the regiment has excelled in sport throughout the year, most notably the Sapper Games held at 1RSME Chatham, where despite being a small major unit of less than 300 Service Personnel (SP), we had the most participants out of all the Royal Engineers representing the regiment. This also compared with the Regiment finishing 1st Major Unit in 8 Engineer Brigade in the Army Sport Trophy Competition 23/24.
A Battlefield Study to Crete in September provided a good chance for 49 Sqn, along with myself as the attached arms contingent, to get together and de-load after such a busy period. With 49 being the Regimental Airborne and Commando Sqn, this provided a great insight into the role airborne forces had during World War 2 as Crete was the site of the first ever airborne invasion by the Germans which was being defended by a contingent of British and Allied troops. A truly humbling experience and a highly recommended place to visit, steeped in military history, great food and gorgeous scenery.
SSgt (SSI) L Beach RAPTC
Spr Spillett representing 33 Engr Regt (EOD&S) in a light-middleweight bout
The start of 2024 saw the start of the inaugural Regimental CO’s Competition. Each month a Sqn takes it in turns organising and delivering either a military, physical or sporting challenge to compete for points towards the annual CO’s Cup. Each event must be designed for maximum inclusion. Competition got a little intense when members of the current World Cup Champions England Wheelchair Rugby Team came to the unit and held one of the events. This provided the unit with a bruising but great insight to one the fastest growing inclusive sports out there. Due to the busy nature of the unit, the competition has provided the opportunity to get all Sqns together and help develop a better team cohesion throughout the Regiment.
Members of 49 Sqn on a Battlefield Study to Crete visiting Suda Bay War Cemetery
February saw the first Rock Barracks Vs Carver Barracks Wimbish Boxing Night held at 23 Engineer Regiment. Boxers from 33 and 35 Engr Regiment and boxers from Rock Barracks came together to put on a great evening of boxing. The 6 bouts provided excellent preparation for the Corps Boxing Night which took place the following week at 1 RSME.
Focus now switches to the RE Athletics Championships and the unit’s upcoming Regimental exercise in May, as well as preparing the Regiment for this year’s Sapper Games taking place in Kinloss, Scotland, in July.
33 ENGINEER REGIMENT (EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL & SEARCH)