Page 41 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

REME Light Aid Detachment (LAD) by WO2 (AQMS) Fishwick
This year has seen a major change for
the LAD due to Op ENTIRETY and the preparation for Op HERRICK 15. Numbers have increased from 7 to 1+34, with people being attached from nine different units and the appointment of a WO2 (AQMS) and an OC. The LAD as played a full part in the Mission Specific Training preparation and Battalion life, in barracks and on exercise.
In the last week of Sep 10 the Battalion deployed to Kenya for 6 weeks on Askari Thunder 3. Cfn Grey had the following to say: “We conducted the In-inspections and with the help of the 2 RIFLES LAD and 19 CSS Bn we got our fleet to an acceptable standard. One thing I was not expecting was the amount of rain which falls in such as small amount of time, this made Turraco Farm a mud bath and vehicles were constantly getting stuck and our Recovery mechanics were kept very busy. Later in the exercise I moved to the north of the area by Puma Helicopter. To have the opportunity to see the wildlife from above was the best experience of my life. I arrived at MOB Simba and the heat knocked me for six,
all the boys that had been to Afghanistan mentioned how the camp and conditions were similar to Afghanistan. I don’t think that anyone would disagree that it was good training in preparation for deployment.”
Physical courage is also a key attribute to military life. Getting into the boxing ring with nowhere to hide is one of the most scary and commendable things a sportsman
can aspire to achieve. Cfn Seldon and Cfn Johnson were asked if they would like to take part in the inter company boxing, having never boxed before they rose to the challenge. Everyone who took part should be congratulated. Cfn Johnson had the following to say: “I began my training immediately, doing short runs to rapidly increase my stamina and to build my shoulders up I carried weights everywhere that I went. I had the fitness to carry me through the fight but lacked the skills as
I had never fought before. On the day of the fight, I arrived ay the gym and I was
really nervous as my opponent had fought before as he had been the Welterweight finalist for the last 2 years. Before I knew it I was in the ring, the safety brief from the referee came and went and next I heard was the bell. The fight exploded and as expected my adrenalin went through the roof, we exchanged blow for blow. We both went at each other
Palace Barracks is more than enough in 2 hours for any soldier. This was quickly followed by a set of Command tasks. This put me under pressure to develop a plan and execute it, in the quickest time
possible, developing skills that I never thought that I had. Next we prepared for our ‘tiffy dilemma’ which was quite a challenge for me as a younger member of the LAD. On the
2nd morning we had a swimming session in the morning followed
by group discussions. Both stronger and weaker members were encouraged to get involved and everyone seemed to enjoy the constructive arguing! On the 3rd and
OC Capt J Wooldridge AQMS WO2 C Fishwick
hard, my opponent
received 2 standing
counts, however the
adrenalin was still
pumping around my
body at a 100mph and
I never realised that I
only needed another
standing count to win. My opponent realised this and using all his experience I received 2 standing counts. We then fought, both looking for the 3rd and final standing count. Unfortunately with less than 20 seconds of the round to
to see the wildlife from above was the best experience of my life
go, he caught me and I received the final count and lost the bout. My opponent won the final and was awarded best boxer of the night.”
I had the fitness to carry me through the fight but lacked the skills as I had never fought before
final day, we delivered our presentations on our chosen topics, which was very funny in places, especially Cfn Mosley’s interpretation of Chuck Norris and Cfn Carlisle’s love of Tayto Crisps. It really helped us to build
Any soldier will know
that leadership training
and development is key,
especially for those in the REME wanting to go down the artificer route. The LAD decided that the junior members would benefit from a little exposure to command tasks, technical problems, presentations and essays to name just a few bits, and SSgt Ruvino started to scheme and plan. Although a good opportunity for the junior members of the LAD to be put under pressure, and in unfamiliar circumstances, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the few days and came away having been pushed
and hopefully learning something new about themselves. Cfn Ferguson had the following to say about those eventful three
days: “It started with a CFT, 4 times around
our confidence of speaking to a larger audience.”
The Armourers have always played a key role in a light role Infantry Battalion and this year has been no different, although the whole LAD has faced similar challenges of competency and training in both technical and military skills. Mission Specific Training proved to be a challenging, yet rewarding experience for all involved. So a busy year all round, but a valuable one. We’ve learned a lot and now look to our deployment
with a surety and confidence we wouldn’t have been capable of this time last year. Cfn Seldon had the following to say
about Mission Specific Training: “Juggling equipment courses between regular work,
Another recovery task in Turacco Farm, Kenya
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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