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Op GRIMIUM – Beirut
CSgt Joynes – B (Malta) Coy CQMS
Held at high readiness, B (Malta) Company, had the role of Lead Company Group (LCG). The task of the LCG is to maintain
a Force Element at Readiness (FE@R) for deployment within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), one such possible task is humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR). B (Malta) Company’s tenure as LCG was due to come to an end mid- August and to be inherited by the PWRR in Dhekalia.
However, on the afternoon of the 4th August two explosions occurred in the
port of Beirut. The second explosion was extremely powerful and killed nearly 200 people, with up to 6000 people injured and leaving an estimated 300,000 homeless. Initially the LCG was ordered to 12 hours’ notice to move, however, this was quickly pushed to 24 hours’ notice to move whilst the UK considered how to help the people of the Lebanon. The eyes of the world were firmly placed on Beirut.
A three-man team from 2 MERCIAN
was tasked to help with the UKs HADR response for Beirut. Their job was simple: deploy to Beirut on HMS Enterprise with
a cargo of tents and operational field catering systems (OFCS); liaise with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF); and then account, construct and teach the LAF
how to operate the gifted materiel. This was to be achieved in as short a time- frame as possible so that the LAF could begin to support their own HADR efforts. The equipment was to be used in lieu of their own catering facilities that had been destroyed in the blast and they were greatly
CSgt Joynes with some of the equipment that was gifted to the LAF
appreciative of our support and help. The team was in the Lebanon for only
five days, in that short time we were able to help the LAF to begin the reconstruction of their new temporary infrastructure. Although simply tents and several OFCS’,
the LAF were truly appreciative of the
UK’s contribution. This personally gave
the team a sense of achievement and job satisfaction that will last for years to come. The Lebanese are a resilient people who will always overcome hardship.
The infamous grain silos 100m from the blast
Aftermath of the destruction in Beirut Skyscrapers 800m from the blast
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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