Page 91 - RAPTC 23/24

1May 23 marked the only time The 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) would be complete as a
unit until Christmas later that year. A unit well renowned for a high deployment frequency, it’s a rarity to do so in such a dispersed manner. 1 May 23 sat nicely within a week window where B Company Group returned from Operations in the Middle East and A Company Group were about to deploy Operationally elsewhere. Whilst the moment was seized for the Battalion to enjoy a beer as one, focus quickly turned to the upcoming deployments. D Company (D Coy) comprised of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) assets, and far more familiar with working in support of the Rifle Company, were aligned to mobilise as one and deploy on Ex PEGASUS CEDAR, Lebanon. This was the first time ever that UK troops deployed to work alongside Lebanese Armed Forces.
Anyone would likely assume the Armed Forces of Lebanon, a small nation that recently endured an economic crisis, would not present much in terms of military capability or skill, however this misconception quickly disappeared. D Coy were paired to work with the Lebanese Air Assault Regiment, the spearhead of the Lebanese Armed Forces, which comprised of Soldiers that had been fighting ISIS on the border no more than 3 weeks prior to our visit. The exercise saw various drills and tactics shared and rehearsed, one of which being Fast Roping; delivered by 2 PARA’s RAPTCI. Whilst the Lebanese and 2 PARA worked together on everything military, an opportunity to compete came in the form of seven-a-side football match. Attended by over 200 locals, the home side took the victory on this occasion.
SSgt (SSI) B Swinfield RAPTC
89
2ND BATTALION THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT
As 2024 appeared on the horizon, so too did plans outside the Operational Deployed Space. One proposal that caught some interest was the Bataan Memorial Death March, New Mexico, USA. A 26.2 Mile Loaded Carry across the White Sands Missile Range; essentially a desert with a mountain feature. The event itself is held annually to commemorate the thousands of US, Filipino and a few BritishTroopsthatweremarchedtotheir deaths by the Japanese Imperial Army in WW2. With support from the Army Sports Lottery, 2 PARA entered 12 participants in the form of two teams. The teams flew out early, in order to acclimatise, and quickly realised the barren desert, which sits at 4000ft above sea level, wasn’t going to offer the easiest experience. On the day of the race the US Forces did not disappoint in terms of an opening ceremony. A Flag, that seemed to be the size of a small UK town, was raised by a commercial crane, and a live band proudly sang the National Anthem, as veterans of Bataan stood to attention. As the song came to an end,
The 2 PARA Bataan Memorial Death March Team
the heavy guns fired, and the race began. Despite there being nearly 6000 other competitors, 2 PARA’s only aim was to win. The biggest threat to this ambition were the American 82nd Airborne Infantry, US counterparts and winners of the previous year. The 82nd did well and led the way for 16 miles, until 2 PARA’s lead Team comfortably moved past them, and didn’t look back. Fast forward the next 10 miles, and 2 PARA’s lead team came in first, breaking the course record in doing so.
The Lebanese Air Assault Regiment and 2 PARA
2 PARA personnel Fast Roping from a Huey Helicopter