Page 48 - QARANC Vol 20 No 2 2022

48 The Gazette QARANC Association
Op. Newcombe: Pre-deployment
training like no other
For two Reserve
QARANC nurses from
204 North Irish FD
Hospital who recently
completed a four-
month PDT package
for Op Newcombe 4,
much was out of the
ordinary, reports Capt
Chris Finnegan and
Capt Matt Donaldson.
The British Army’s contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the Long Range Reconnaissance Group (LRRG), is seeing patrols deep into the Sahel, a region of the Sahara Desert, being undertaken, the likes of which have not been conducted since the Second World War.
The battle groups deploying have had to relearn some forgotten skills. The same applies to the operational medical support. Providing First World level treatment, whilst adhering to
patient care pathway timelines has required some innovative solutions. This has led to a very different package pre-deployment training (PDT).
It’s not often that nurses expect PDT to include live fire tactical training, vehicle anti-ambush drills, nor indeed a solar shower in a field.
We were eased gently into PDT, starting with four weeks at the Mission Ready Training Centre (MRTC) in Bassingbourn. We were issued with new desert kit, Virtus body armour and equipment. These weeks proved
to be an opportunity for the GMSG to bond as a team. One of Mali’s great challenges will be our ability to work and live in small groups in very close proximity, so teamwork and bonding is vital.
Training gradually intensified, with a live fire tactical training package prepared by 1 R IRISH. For most of our team, it was their first time moving as pairs and sections, attacking and extracting from enemy positions, using live rounds. This conveyed to us the seriousness of the operation, and the
NEWCASTLE BRANCH
Lovely walks and some impressive knitting
Greetings from Newcastle. It has been a busy time with some lovely events for the branch members.
Ann Clouston held some of her excellent walks, all generally ending