Page 37 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

Light Aid Detachment (REME)
Capt Aaron Ritchie
It seems only a matter of weeks since writing the article for last year’s magazine, a testament to the tumultuous nature of LAD activity throughout 2019. The past year has seen a great deal of work and pressures placed upon the LAD, having changed structure 3 times in order to support a multitude of tasks. We have seen some tremendous successes along the way. With Fitter Sects providing an excellent level
of Equipment Support (ES) to the fighting companies throughout the year, we have seen tradesmen and women deploy back to Oman, and on operations in Estonia.
A great success of this year has been the stabilisation of our establishment and the arrival of key posts such as an SNCO Electronics Technician. We have also seen the arrival of a new Artificer in Dragon
Coy and a new SSgt Recovery Mechanic. With the establishment now sitting at 1+57 against a liability of 1+64, we are now considered well-manned and primed to support the Bn in the best possible fashion. This combined with brand new technical infrastructure will only improve on the already high standard of work the LAD pushes out.
A Coy Fitter Sect deployed to Estonia for the entirety of Op CABRIT ROTO4 in
Members of the LAD fter descending ‘The Rubihorn’ in Bavaria
HQ Fitters (B Shops) host 103Bn REME on their annual trade development weekend
EME: Capt A Ritchie ASM: WO1 G McGettigan
support of the KRH BG. A challenging deployment for a relatively small Fitter Sect of 9 personnel provided an excellent opportunity for the A Coy Artificer SSgt Shelley and his newly formed team to cut their teeth. B Coy Fitter Sect returned
to Oman with the Coy on Ex KHANJAR OMAN. Supporting the Coy as part of the RTR BG, the Fitter Sect stepped up to
the mark under the impressive technical leadership of SSgt Rikalans and Cpl Brown, who had stepped up as the production
Sgt for the Coy. C Coy Fitter Sect under SSgt Nagle drew the short straw in 2019, being responsible for the rehabilitation and redeployment of the Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 fleet from Oman. As part of Op TRACTABLE 19, this monumental task saw the inspection and repair of 28 Armoured platform up to a fully fit standard in order that they could deploy on Op CABRIT ROTO5. D Coy Fitter Sect have been pulled in multiple directions throughout 2019. They’ve provided manpower to the Falkland
Cpl Lagrue chatting oil and metal
Islands and assisted other sections in
the deployments mentioned above whilst trying to focus on the unit’s own fleet - they have worked extremely hard. HQ Fitters (B Shops) under SSgt Slaven have continued to provide an unwavering level of support to the Bn. In support of Op TRACTABLE, the team led a portside rehab, receiving significant praise from Comd ES 3XX. They also planned and delivered an excellent trade development weekend for REME reservists which was taken as best practice within the Bde.
In addition to our core role, we have
still managed to have a lot of fun this year outside of work. Social functions have been plentiful with a monthly leaver and joiners’ event (such is the turnover of manpower). WO2 Morris also planned and led a two- week multi-activity AT package to Bavaria. Supported by instructors from the Bn, LAD personnel enjoyed rock climbing, kayaking, and hill walking. The LAD also managed to send 16 personnel once more to Austria on Ex SUPREME GLACIER, the REME’s annual ski camp. Furthermore, personnel from the LAD completed courses in parachuting
and continued to compete in Corps level representative sport.
In summary, the past 12 months have seen huge gains within the LAD, both in manpower and capability. We are looking forward to the challenges of 2020 but are also keen to make sure that we ‘play hard’ too – our tradesman deserve no less for the engineering excellence, unrelenting support and hard work they continue provide to
1 MERCIAN.
The first recovery serial on Op CABRIT
D Coy Fitters at CMR conducting a pack lift
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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