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SIO Damon ‘Jonah’ Jones leading his students down a river during Ex CANPADDLE 23
A RMT student abseiling down the descent route from Idwal Slabs during their introduction to multi-pitch climbing. Pen yr Ole Wen (978m) can be seen in the background
JOINT SERVICE MOUNTAIN TRAINING WING (LLANRWST)
Sgt (SI) R Croft RAPTC
JSMTW (L), nestled on the edge of Eryri/Snowdonia National Park, had a bustling year supporting various Concentrations at JSMTC. Our Wing offers courses in summer mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, and canoeing, with five
instructors: myself, Sgt (SI) Lewis Russo RAPTC, Sgt Al Rogers RAF, SIO Damon Jones, and SIO Darren Williams, all supervised by WO2 (QMSI) Danny Meehan RAPTC, our Wing Sergeant Major (WSM). The WSM has been a pillar of our team, and after three years in post, he is set to move to AATW Inverness, leaving behind a legacy of
dedication and enthusiasm.
I joined Ex SPANROCK23 this year, delivering Rock Climbing Multi-Pitch Leader Training (RMT). SIO Darren Williams also instructed Rock Climbing Multi-Pitch Leader (RML), sharing his expertise during the Ex. He’s a seasoned instructor with 17 years of Type 4 AT delivery experience. Ex SPANROCK, a unique training experience, takes place in Costa Blanca, southeast Spain, offering endless limestone climbing venues and a few sandstone sea cliffs, promising
an adventure like no other.
SIO Damon ‘Jonah’ Jones led Ex CANPADDLE 23, which ran in the Alberta region of Canada, known for its thrilling canoeing experiences. Jonah, an ex-Royal Artillery SNCO, has vast experience in AT. He and SIO Williams also taught on Ex NORSKI in Norway, while Sgt Russo, now qualified to Ski Leader 2 (SL2), and Sgt Rogers spent time in Bavaria on the Alpine
Skiing serials.
We bade farewell to Maj Al Seaton, the OC of L-Wing, since it opened in 2016. Before that, he was the OC in Llanrwst when it was the Joint School for Adventurous Training Instructors (JSATI) from 2003- 2005, during his time in the RAF. All the staff and instructors here at Llanrwst wish him well in his future endeavours as he moves on from a successful career in the military, and we welcome Maj Paul
Turner as the new OC of Llanrwst.
Sgt (SI) Ryan Croft RAPTC leading students on a multi- pitch rock climb as part of RMT during ex SPANROCK 23