Page 35 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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The Role of 7 Aviation Support Battalion REME is to provide 1st and 2nd Line support to Apache, Lynx, Wildcat and Gazelle aircraft. 2015 has been a momentous year for 7 Battalion REME which has seen the re-subordination of the unit from 16 Air Assault Brigade to Attack Helicopter Force; this meant the loss of 8 (Para) Field Company, who now fall under the command of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment RLC.
On Thursday 26th November, the unit celebrated St Eligus day – the patron saint of the REME. This day also marked the last time the Battalion’s six sub-units came together as 7 Air Assault Battalion REME, and the Battalion was renamed 7 Aviation Support Battalion REME. As well as a boisterous Regimental dinner, the sub-units battled it out in a series of sporting events for the St Eligus Cup. Although there was much deliberation about who had actually won overall, the cup was aptly awarded to 8 (Para) Field Company.
This year has also seen the relocation of 73 Coy down to RNAS Yeovilton to provide 2nd Line support to the Army’s new Wildcat aircraft. This too was marked with some healthy sports competition, followed by some not so healthy beer and BBQ.
To mark the 21st year of the formation of the Battalion, a team of cyclist rode the considerable 500 km from Wattisham to Detmold.
Although tight tting lycra and frozen roads were identi ed as the main risks whilst cycling through northern Germany in early February, it was Suffolk dog walkers that turned out to be the greatest risk to injury. Unfortunately, whilst training, the RCMO and Ops Of cer found this out to their displeasure, with their road bikes written off and a mild dose of concussion suffered due to an unruly canine.
Like most years, skiing and snowboarding dominated the Adventurous Training participation, with over 100 soldiers from the unit taking part in Ex Supreme Glacier in Austria over a 4 week period in November and December.
On a sporting front, 7 Bn REME had high’s in cricket this year, reaching the nals of the UK Midlands and Army competitions and winning the REME Corps championship. The cross country team has put in a valiant effort, entering both the UK Midlands league and the civilian East Anglian league. The past year has seen 7 Aviation Support Battalion enter 7 Infantry Brigade Festival of Sport and 16 Air Assault Brigade Festival of Sport, coming second overall in the latter. This year also saw 7 Bn REME attempt to protect their champion status within the Royal Navy Brickwoods Field Gun competition, but were beaten in the nal, coming a close third behind winners, HMS Heron.
7 AVIATION SUPPORT BATTALION REME
SSgt (SSI) R Manderson RAPTC
Field Gun team in training