Page 13 - 4RA Regimental Journal 2019-2020

4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Eager to help if required, everybody kept a keen eye on the news and the most likely cause for deployment appeared to be weather related. A number of storms threatened high winds, while snow and rain could cause major disruption across our AO. On several occasions it seemed as though we would be required to assist with flood relief but, alas, the call did not come.
Although the Battery was not called upon during this period of readiness, it was eventually required to support UK opera- tions both in the NE and in Liverpool with the Covid-19 pandemic.
BATTERY BIRTHDAY
The 20th of February saw 3/29 (Corunna) Battery celebrate Corunna Day, this year being the 211th anniversary of the Battery’s battle honour. Usually celebrated on the 16th January, the day of the battle, opera- tional commitments saw a slight delay in proceedings this year. The battle honour of ‘Corunna’ was awarded to the Battery following its exemplary performance dur- ing the Battle of Corunna in January 1809. Under the command of Captain Truscott and armed with 6 pounder guns, the bat- tery formed part of the rearguard action following the retreat of General Sir John Moore’s army.
In the morning the Battery formed in its entirety for a photo outside the Officers’ Mess. This was followed by a return to work with everybody feverishly preparing for deployment on Ex SUNDERLAND DAG- GER, which would see the guns in action for the first time in over a year. Under the careful management of Sgt White and his team, the evening saw the full Battery in attendance for a celebratory dinner with special guests the Adjutant, Captain Don- nelly, and the Quartermaster, Major Lowes - both former members of the Battery.
During the dinner it was the role of the Bat- tery Commander, Major Maarten Magee, to present two awards. The Sammy Vanua Award, presented to a gunner of the Bat- tery who has best embodied the charac- ter of the Battery is presented in honour of Gunner Sammy Vanua, who was killed in Iraq in 2006. This year the award was present to Gunner Knight. The second
award, the Corunna Award, is presented to a JNCO who has demonstrated outstand- ing performance during the year. This year it was presented to LBdr Cocker.
With the formalities of the dinner complete, there was opportunity for all the mem- bers of the Battery to let their hair down together and enjoy the bar and disco in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess. The Battery now looks forward to the next Corunna Day, where we hope to get back together in similar fashion following the challenges faced during 2020.
OP MOONSHOT (TESTING)
After a prolonged period of testing across the NE, 3/29 Bty enjoyed a well earned reputation of delivering results against the Coronavirus backdrop and when the Government announced plans to conduct mass testing in Liverpool, the Bty was an obvious choice to be involved. Support- ing 1 YORKS Battlegroup, along with 88 Bty, we deployed with 2 days notice to Liverpool for what was expected to be a 10 day task. The Battery found itself at the tip of the spear and quickly set about building Asymptomatic Testing Centres (ATS). Accommodated in Pontins South- port, Corunna soldiers worked tireless to provide community testing and over a 4 week period, contributed to the testing over a third of the population of Liverpool. 3/29 Battery were responsible for test- ing in 3 sites. 2 local leisure centres were converted to testing sites, along with the Irish Bar at Aintree Racecourse. At the time of writing, the Battery is still deployed in Liverpool and contributing to the national effort in response to the COVID-19 pan- demic.
OP RESCRIPT (TESTING)
In mid-June 3/29 Battery, and later other elements of the Regiment, formed a COVID Support Force (CSF) in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The CSF then took over from 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment providing mobile test- ing units (MTUs) in support of the Govern- ment’s response. In this role, the Regiment deployed dozens of teams to locations around the north east of England and ena- bled thousands of tests in communities not reached by the regional test sites. The tests are then processed and results are returned to subjects within 24-48 hours showing whether or not they currently have Coronavirus. With this information, they are then able to isolate if needed to minimize the risk of spreading the disease. Importantly, a negative test result allows a subject to return to work without isolating unnecessarily.
Throughout this task, the Regiment’s MTUs have often deployed at short notice to areas where a spike in the number of cases was recorded. 4th Regiment has therefore been an important component
in the Government’s strategy to ease lock- down whilst targeting local outbreaks. The efforts of Corunna soldiers, along with the rest of the Regiment and attached person- nel, have been well received by the gen- eral public, who have demonstrated their appreciation by providing supplies of food and water for our teams (pictured right).
By the end of July, 3/29 Bty, and the Regi- ment as a whole, aims to have handed over all MTU responsibilities and equip- ment to civilian contractors who will con- tinue testing for months to come. To that end, at the time of writing, our MTUs have been deploying with civilian teams in order to provide familiarisation and mentoring. As the Regiment begins to return to nor- mal duties, we wish these civilian teams the best of luck.
REFLECTIONS ON OP TOSCA
Op TOSCA 30 saw 3/29 Battery recon- figured into two platoons with a HQ ele- ment to form the Force Commander’s Mobile Force Reserve. After some excel- lent instruction and few skirmishes with Ops Coy (predominantly 88 Battery) at the Whinney Hill Training Facility, we felt confident in our abilities and were ready to deploy.
We were based within the united Nations Protected Area (UNPA) at Blue Beret Camp, slightly dislocated from the remain- der of the Regiment and quickly set about making the camp feel like home for Corunna Soldiers. Meanwhile, the Bat- tery got to grips with a complex operating environment and, over the course of the 6 month deployment, continually delivered when called upon.
Once back in the UK, the legacy of this tour has become apparent. Most notably, the Battery returned from Cyprus con- siderably fitter than when we deployed, owing to the hard work of the PTIs and individual commitment. The deployment allowed our soldiers to gain an under- standing of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and JNCO leadership was the driving force of subordinate develop- ment. The responsibilities that our JNCOs relished whilst deployed will have long lasting positive effects. For many, this was their first deployment and the experiences they gained will serve them well in the future. Indeed, there have been a number of promotions on the strength of perfor- mances whilst deployed.
For all who deployed, Op TOSCA 30 proved to be challenging and exciting in equal measures and memories of Public Order demonstrations, Battle PT in the heat around Nicosia Airport and UN heli- copter flights will stay with us both as indi- viduals and within the Battery’s history for years to come.
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