Page 18 - 4RA Regimental Journal 2019-2020

129 (Dragon) Battery performed a vital role in the deployment of Op RESCRIPT; the Military Aid to Civil Authorities task
supporting the National effort in tack- ling the COVID-19 global pandemic. The majority of the Battery formed part of the Regimental Covid Support Force (CSF) and were enrolled onto a 3-day training package, equipping the soldiers with the necessary skills and competencies to con- fidently and effectively mobilise, operate and manage Mobile Testing Units (MTUs).
The troops were then subsequently allocated to their respective MTUs and deployed to various locations across York- shire and the North East region, support- ing multiple Local Authorities in offering COVID-19 tests to the general public. Each MTU provided crucial resilience across the area of operations in the battle against COVID-19, enabling wider strategic health objectives to be achieved, ultimately aid- ing increased public confidence and cer- tainty for local businesses as the region transitioned back to the ‘new normal.’
The Battery was tasked to deploy one of it’s FST Commanders into the Joint Military Command (JMC) HQ as a forward Liaison Officer, to ensure accurate and timely pas- sage of information to and from the Regi- ment. As a result, I was seconded into the
Captain Sophie Shakespeare RA
UK Ops cell at 4th Infantry Brigade, Cat- terick supporting both Standing Joint Command (SJC) and the CSF. Within this capacity, I operated across numerous chal- lenging roles, liaising with Local Authorities as well as the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Regional Operations providing assurance and strategic context. As the military representative on behalf of the CSF, it was my responsibility to ensure that constraints identified throughout daily operations were resolved in a timely and accurate manner, minimising delays or issuesontaskatthetacticallevel.
As the UK slowly crept out of National lock- down, the demand for COVID-19 testing increased significantly, raising the number of MTUs from 9 to 31, each working with an allocated Regional Testing Site (RTS). The ability for agile and rapid deployments became ever more important for potential ‘outbreaks’ and the resilience, profession- alism and flexibility that our soldiers dem- onstrated to adapt to different situations whilst under consistent national and local media pressure was testament to the char- acter of both the Battery, and wider Regi- ment.
July saw the start of the official handover- takeover process from operational troops to several different civilian contractors.
The JMC HQ, along with CSFs and MTUs, worked diligently to set the prime condi- tions for success, clearing the pathway for future regional COVID-19 preparations. The Battery finished on task just in time for some well-deserved Summer leave; a great effort from the Dragons in this professional co-ordinated effort of both regional and national importance.
JMC(NE) MTU planning map
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Capt Shakespeare at JMC(NE) HQ
Op RESCRIPT – from the Brigade HQ
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