Page 38 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

RAO
Det Comd RAWO
Capt K Reynolds Lt G MacNeill WO2 T Liebenhals
36
AGC(SPS) Detachment by Lt G MacNeill
2010/11 has been a particularly busy period for the 2 MERCIAN SPS Detachment, having recovered from operations the
focus was again on G1 readiness and pre-deployment training for the forthcoming tour, Op HERRICK 15.
Detachment working hard, it was necessary to celebrate the year’s hard work with a
well deserved Christmas function. This
was followed by the Battalion’s Christmas Leave period, which was a time for rest and recuperation before the surprises of the New Year.
January started with a bump with our feet barely touching the ground as the
The month of May brought the arrival
of the new Detachment Commander, Lt
G MacNeill, who had joined us from 4 Medical Regiment. It was also time to
bid the incumbent Det Comd, Capt Kirk Reynolds, farewell as he had to attend
the RAO’s Course. However, it was not farewell forever! Capt Reynolds re-joined the Detachment as the RAO, replacing Capt Kate Apps. June also saw the end of Cpl Amanda Buckley’s tour here at 2 MERCIAN, who joined 36 Engr Regt in Maidstone. It was certainly a time of ‘coming and going’ for the Det as we concurrently welcomed Pte Armstrong, who joined us directly from Phase 2 training at SPSTS Worthy Down.
On top of the very busy work schedule, members of the Detachment took part in the Belfast Marathon, as part of a relay. The event was in aid of team building, and testing people both mentally and physically. There was also an element of competition
within the Detachment between the two relay teams. Both teams did extremely well coming in around at the same time; 3hrs 52mins.
As the weeks ticked by, the Battalion
was almost ready
for fifth gear as the Confirmatory Field Exercise (CFX) loomed close. This was to
be the second to last large scale exercise to simulate deployment, but also to test our troop’s kit and equipment. The Det Comd, FSA, Sys-Sgt, and two junior CHRS deployed on the CFX in order to facilitate the G1 cell. Here, we maintained and updated the personnel reports.
Whilst the majority of the key players within the detachment were deployed on the CFX, the RAO maintained the ship back in barracks, where day to day G1/reports and returns were still carried out. This was also an opportunity for the RAO to work
on his ROG Instruction for the forthcoming ROG Conference.
The warmer month of July brought
a well deserved break with some light entertainment to the Detachment, in the annual Richard Sellar’s Shield. This recent sporting event allowed all the Detachments within Northern Ireland to come together for a bit of ‘sporting competition’. The ‘sports’ involved were amusing to say the least,
and involved ‘Blind Volleyball, ‘3-Legged Football, and (the more commonly known) ‘Tug’O’War’ to name but a few! It was an excellent event, with the 2 MERCIAN Det finishing in 6th place out of 8. Following the RSS Competition, the Detachment were faced with a continually increasing tempo of work. The ‘Pre-Deployment Health Check’
Over the months of September and October, the Detachment endured weeks of individual training, combined with collective training to ensure all
members of the Det
were ready to undertake
Ex ASKARI THUNDER
3 in the hot, dusty
climes of Kenya. The
exercise was not only
to test the Battalion
in their Infantry skills
and drills; it was also
to test the Detachment. G1 readiness
was the focus, ensuring all administrative needs of the soldiers’ were met. The RAO, then Capt Apps, organised the Rear Ops Room as well as heading up the end of exercise adventurous training activities.
She was supported by SSgt Lucas as
FSA and Cpl King as the Regt’l Accnt.
Sgt McCallum decided to hide away in Nairobi acting as Battlegroup liaison officer, whilst Capt Reynolds, Cpl Atkinson and LCpl Ford worked collectively within the
IM Cell to ensure the correct information was getting to the relevant people. Each
of the Companies were supported by
their company clerical staff ensuring that even whilst away from the office the SPS staff could mix it with the best of them. Returning from Kenya in early November saw the Battalion quickly move back into
its day-to-day work regime, maintaining both individual and collective training of the Detachment.
With the festive season upon us, and the
Battalion moved swiftly into further operational training. LCpl Ford began preparations for her forthcoming PNCO Cadre in February,
and we welcomed both Cpl Parkinson and Cpl Mhango into the Detachment from Armd Bde This was
Needless to say, despite a few hiccups here and there, the battalion arrived on the FTX without a hitch.
101 Log Bde and 7
also an opportunity to bid farewell to LCpl Spencer and LCpl Kirby who left us for pastures new.
March brought spring time and more importantly, information about the SDSR Review! March was also an opportunity for members of the
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Detachment to fulfil
individual training
outside their job role;
namely the Team Medic
Cadre. LCpl Ford
made the most of the
opportunity to complete
this cadre and did so
with distinction. Post
Easter leave put the
Battalion into fourth
gear as Pre-Deployment
Training had begun. The weeks to come saw the Battalion undertake numerous MATTs training, collective training at Coy level, and individual training.
However as they say, ‘fail to prepare and prepare to fail’. The Detachment is working doubly hard to ensure the Battalion is good-to-go in a few weeks
2 Merc SPS Det Tug O War – Sellars Shield