Page 25 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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47 REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY
SSgt (SSI) D Smith RAPTC
Iarrived at 47 Regiment Royal Artillery in January 20 after spending two and a half years at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS). The posting was gapped for approximately
three months due to the previous SSI leaving the army. The unit was over the moon for my arrival and getting the job started.
47 Regiment Royal Artillery’s main role is flying unmanned air systems in support of the joint force and organic divisional land components. In a nutshell, they fly drones that look like small planes, and are called Watchkeeper! In order to learn the job role, the Commanding Officer (CO) was keen to send me out to Cyprus for a short period to have a look at how the Watchkeeper operates and additionally to see what physical development is being done when elements of the unit are deployed. It was nice to be able to have some sunshine!
During my time within the unit, I have managed to convince the HQ that we needed a separate troop, in order to better manage our Level 1 individuals. This has proven to be a huge success and I know a lot of units are already doing this so by no means have I just invented something new, however it is working extremely well, and I highly recommend this. The Troop itself has been called ‘Wheels Up’ which I can assure you, I did not name!
As we are all aware and if am a betting man, most articles are going to mention COVID. It has certainly been a crazy year regarding this, and we have all had to adapt
with the current situation.
As a unit we have been delivering Zoom PT since this pandemic has started, all Zoom PT is focusing on bodyweight movements and the unit is mandated to conduct 2 of these sessions weekly, with individuals mandated to conduct their own CV based session as a third session.
The CO is not prepared to take unnecessary
risk especially when OP DEVRAN took
place within the UK, OP DEVRAN was a
UK operation utilising the Watchkeeper drone in order to provide surveillance over the English Channel when migrants attempted
SSgt (SSI) D Smith RAPTC AAPTI Staff training
SSgt (SSI) D Smith RAPTC PD Assurance Visit Cyprus
to cross. The CO’s main concern was the SP in Lydd Barracks catching COVID and jeopardising the OP, however, the OP turned out to be a huge success for Watchkeeper.
I am thoroughly enjoying my time within the Regiment, and like everyone, I am looking forward to some sort of
normality returning.
9 REGIMENT ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS
SSgt (SSI) K Ayrey RAPTC