Page 61 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

Firing on all cylinders once again, the Regiment is back to business and in the thick of things spending the vast majority of time on Readiness 1 supporting the Parachute Regiment
and 16 Air Assault Brigade for rapid response and strike force for operations.
7 Para RHA has had an incredible year of deployment, Short-Term Training Teams (STTT), sporting achievements and physically demanding unit led competitions. These areas have seen personnel within the Regiment fulfil multiple activities across various parts of the globe such as Kosovo (Op ELGIN), Iraq (Op SHADER), Afghanistan (Op PITTING), Jordan, Pakistan, and Kenya.
Although busy, the priority for physical training during this period has not taken a backward step, with unit PT never being more relevant and established. The Regiment has been seen to be committing to All Arms Pre-Parachute Selection (AAPPS) courses led by SSgt Curtis and forwarding those successful to the Basic Parachute Course (BPC) organised by the Training Officer, Capt Martin, ready to battle life as an Airborne Soldier within Brigade.
The Regiment between April 2021 and Febuary 2022 saw the delivery of several Southgate Trophy Competitions. Strong Soldier, Swim Gala, British Army Warrior Fitness (BAWF) and Obstacle Course were just a few events, alongside the delivery and execution of the AAPPS courses in Okehampton. These united the Batteries further to execute the hectic deployable calendar in play.
Sport, now back and being played, has boosted the athletes that compete in it during this phase. The Regimental Cross-Country team led by Capt Baslington and Lt Loring came 2nd overall in the senior male category at the Army Champs in January 2022,
Commando Speed March 2022
59
7TH PARACHUTE REGIMENT ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY
SSgt (SSI) N Curtis RAPTC
the Football team competing for Gunner Cup and Rugby into its winning ways. The Regiment then finalised their fitness ambitions for this period by coming second overall in the Commando Speed March Challenge 2022, with SSgt Curtis as the overall individual winner.
Whatever the situation, 7 Para RHA remain professional and fit to fight.
35 ENGINEER REGIMENT EOD&S
SSgt (SSI) D Jerrams RAPTC
35 Engineer Regiment EOD&S are based at Carver Barracks located in Wimbish alongside 33 Engineer Regiment EOD&S and 29 EOD&S GSU. The Regiment’s Mission is: Providing
search and bomb disposal capability in support of the 3rd (UK) Division, to theatre enablement and to the Royal Air Force. Agile and ready for tomorrow’s challenges. Having only taken the role in September I was in for a busy period.
Throughout the year the Regiments have been extremely busy with the squadrons deployed on Op NEWCOMBE, Op ESCALIN, Op RESCRIPT and Op PITTING whilst also supporting multiple major overseas exercises such as Ex Europe Defender and Ex Magic Carpet. All this while maintaining the commitment to Explosive Ordnance Clearance.
During this year the Regiment has also embraced the ‘new normal’ by returning to sport and adventurous training at every opportunity, competing in events such as 1 Div Bismark Challenge, UK Midlands BAWF and most Regimental sports returning to full fixtures in preparation for the forthcoming Sapper Games. The Winter Sports season was also particularly successful with 35 Regiment placing 3rd on Ex Nordic Sapper with lots of individual success and golds across the events.
It was also good to welcome back some key Regimental events after missing out for a 2 year period. Firstly, Ex HECTOR’S CHALLENGE is the 35 Engr Regt (EOD&S) annual Inter-Squadron competition designed to test leadership, fitness and overall readiness. The
21 Sqn’s team enjoying the Yorkshire Hills