Page 57 - Mercian Eagle 2016

AGC (SPS) Det
The Det has seen a number of new faces over the past year. The RAO, Capt Sara Callender, Det Comd, Lt Robbie Cryer, SSA, Sgt Karl Gordon, Cpl Gregg Fermandell, Cpl Jacob Lester, Cpl Andrew Oakes,
LCpl Raj Bundhoo, Pte Alex Carter and Pte Gary Hyett. Adding to this is four voluntary transferees to the SPS from the RLC, RE and AMS enhancing the Detachment’s skill set. The new arrivals, with their previous experience have brought fresh determination in driving the SPS Detachment forward in supporting the Battalion on the many commitments, such as the deployment to Poland on
Ex BRILLIANT JUMP II and ANAKONDA as part of VJTF.
The deployment presented a great opportunity for members of the Detachment to learn about the Battalion and its role
in the field as well as the role of SPS on exercise. The SPS out of barracks role involved maintaining the PERSREP, casualty notification, financial support, coordinating reverse Deployment Administration Check, iHub support to BHQ MAIN, support to the Unit Deployment Officer whillst coordinating flights and general administration support. Capt Callender initially deployed to set up the G1 Cell, before departing to attend CWC, with WO2 Karvyon Rochell taking over as the G1 lead, to her credit with limited G1 manpower.
The ROG was managed effectively by the FSA, SSgt Nichola
Vincent, who played
a key role in providing
lines of communication. The tempo of
2 MERCIAN is extremely fast paced, harvesting an environment for
SPS to develop trade
knowledge and develop
soldiering skills. This will
be fundamental for the future deployments to Op SHADER and Op TRENTON which the Det is enthusiastic to deploy on to demonstrate proficiency outside their comfort zone.
The Det has also been busy supporting other tasks. Lt Cryer supported the Royal Navy, as the Turkish Coast Guard Liaison Officer, Cultural Advisor and linguist deploying on Op BUCKTAIL, a NATO Task Group established in the Aegean Sea.
The Task Group undertook monitoring, surveillance and reconnaissance of irregular migrant activity in the Aegean Sea, reporting any activity to the Greek and Turkish coast guards and to the EU border force vessels. A recent trawl, Op INTENSIFY, in the Midlands that Pte Josh Goulden and Pte Hyett assisted in and Pte Carter and Pte Bonface Kaunda acted as enemy in support of an SPS PNCO Cadre at Worthy Down, home of the AGC (SPS).
Shortly after summer leave the unit had a G1SI/ORSI, with the team pulling
LCpl Raj Bundhoo, Poland, Jun 16: relished the chance to get his picture taken next to a helicopter in the sunshine
together to support the unit to ensure it is at G1 Readiness to deploy. Cpl Karen Clark provided essential support to the Sys- Coord, Sgt Andrea Nancollas who covered the role of Regt Acct until Sgt Mike Jones was back to assume the role. The Det
has experienced a number of gaps of key appointments for a number of reasons, but has performed commendably as a team, especially as the last G1SI was 2014.
Members of the Det are active; Cpl Zoe Stewart has represented the AGC in football throughout the year and LCpl Rhianne Cooper boxing last year. Cpl Lester ran
the London Marathon and SSgt Vincent and Sgt Nancollas completed the Chester
SPS Det at bowling, Chester, Sep 16
half Marathon. The passionate runner
is Sgt Gordon, who regularly competes in ultra-marathons; in April 16 he completed the Liverpool to Manchester 47 mile ultra-marathon.
The Battalion has invested in the Detachment, and
understands the requirement for the SPS to focus on Detachment led activities, whether that is meetings, training and PT or team building activities. Recently the Detachment when bowling, which identified particularly competitive players and a possible SPS Det bowling team: Sgt Gordon, Cpl Fermandell, Cpl Oakes and Pte Hyett. The Battalion
has embraced the SPS, encouraging the members to get involved in adventure training with two of the SPS taking part in Sky Diving soon.
We say welcome back to Pte Daniel Calvert after a serious ankle injury. He was thrown in at the deep end arriving back the week before the G1SI. We said farewell
to LCpl Laura Withers, LCpl Rebecca Saunders both on promotion to LCpl and LCpl Izabella Aujo who was selected for promotion to Cpl. We will be saying farewell to Cpl Alek Dargie who will be leaving the unit on promotion to Sgt.
...the Det is enthusiastic to deploy on to demonstrate proficiency outside their comfort zone.
Sgt Karl Gordon, Liverpool to Manchester ultra-marathon, Apr 16
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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