Page 9 - Falcon Issue 1 2024

9
ROYAL VISIT
HRH meeting the 1 RANGER team
On 24th May 2023 Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the 1st Battalion The Ranger Regiment as their Royal Colonel. Her affiliation to 1 RANGER dates back to 1983 when she was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Scots. The Princess Royal continued this relationship by accepting the Royal Colonelcy of 1 SCOTS, upon formation, in 2006 and 1 RANGER, upon redesignation, in 2021.
During the visit The Princess Royal received an update on how the Battalion has evolved since her last visit in 2016. In this time the Battalion has re-roled to a Specialised Infantry unit before taking its place within
the Army Special Operations Brigade. Her Royal Highness was introduced
to the new weapons, equipment and capabilities the Battalion has received since redesignating to 1 RANGER and witnessed a demonstration showcasing ASOB TELEMED equipment including
a live feed to the Battalion’s Team deployed in Cameroon. The visit concluded with The Princess Royal meeting 1 RANGER personnel, their families and the families of those who are currently deployed.
1 RANGER is proud of its antecedent history and
privileged
to continue
Ex DRAGON RANGER
In September eight personnel from 1 RANGER deployed to Malta on the Battalion’s Sub-Aqua Diving Expedition, Ex DRAGON RANGER. The expedition was made up of two instructors and six students with varying levels of diving experience.
Starting off slowly, the instructors ensured that vital rescue drills, in water and on land, were rehearsed and understood by all. During the first week the students dived in a variety of conditions building confidence and ability before increasing the depth and progressing to entering complex wrecks. The second week saw students complete the required British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) diving qualification to enable further depth progression. In increments
of 25 meters the expedition
dived to 40 meters on the last
day with some decompression stops required in order to avoid decompression illness, known
to divers as ‘the bends’. At the
end of the expedition all divers received a civilian recognised qualification: Five students gained the Sports Divers qualification and one qualified as a Dive Leader. All divers also received the Oxygen Administrator qualification.
Rangers exploring the Maltese waters
Rangers exploring the Maltese waters
The Royal Colonel presenting WO2 Stevie Noble his LS&GC
the strong relationship with the Royal Family. The Battalion are thankful to Her Royal Highness for taking the time to visit and offering her continued support.
BHQ welcoming HRH