Page 56 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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26 REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY

WO2 (QMSI) SA Khan RAPTC

A
s with most assignments you look
forward to starting at your new
unit with the intention of making
a good impression from the onset. Last

year I departed from 1 Med Regt and
moved to 26 Regt RA in Gutersloh, a
move I personally asked for, as it is where
I had started my career as a “Gunner”

and wanted to return to my roots before
inishing my service here in Germany.

On my arrival in Aug 2012 the unit

resembled a ghost town and SSgt (SSI)
Norval had already left to start his last
6 months in the UK. I would just like to
thank Keith for the handover notes and for
giving me a true relection of the unit. Prior

to my arrival the unit had been deployed
on Op HERRICK 15 returning in the Apr
/ May and subsequently departed on
their POTL. Immediately after returning Belly buster obstacle Graffenwohr Best Det Comp_

from this well deserved leave the unit was
nominated to support Op OLYMPICS. It
was not until about Mid Sep that I noticed piece. The accurate range of this beast is a marathon man, the RTO is a very keen
the soldiers had started to return and the is 24.7km with a iring rate of: Burst (3 orienteer and the new RSM is also a bit of

ghost town now resembled a Field Force rounds in 10 seconds), Intense (6 rounds a whippet and has previously represented
Unit. The unit then went through their per minute for 3 minutes) & Sustained (2 GB in cross country skiing. It looks like
Combined Inspection Week in Oct with rounds per minute for 60 minutes). The I will have to wipe the dust off my white
the G7 team pouncing to do their PDI. crew comprises of 5 personnel when daps and show these heel strikers what

Luckily this inspection went smoothly with mobile and a static full gun detachment forefoot landing is all about or maybe not?
only a few areas highlighted and requiring made up of 10 personnel with 4 in the
minor attention.
turret (Commander, Firer and Loaders x The gym is very well supported by the
2). The Royal Regiment of Artillery have 6 Regiment and provided with a good
The Gunner unit that I have the honour x Regiments who currently use this unique number of qualiied PT staff. The PT staff

to be serving with for my last post are iring system.
is an eclectic group with a few characters
known as the “West Midland Gunners” and after being here for over 4 months they
but for some strange reason there are During my short tenure the command are developing very well. The team have
only a few soldiers in the unit who are element has seen a big turn around. I varied roles within their Btys’ from Det

actually from the West Midlands. The unit must confess that it makes my job a lot Cdr Joint Fire Cell (JFC), OP ACK to the
are an AS90 Field Regiment who use a easier when you have a very supportive FST commander and Gun No 1s’. There
self propelled 155mm howitzer artillery
CoC. The CO is a keen tri-athlete, the 2IC
is potential within this team and certain

ATG Climbing Symposium
The views are awesome!!