Page 57 - RAPTC Year of 2019

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16 AIR ASSAULT BRIGADE HQ
WO1 (SMI) D Beresford RAPTC
It was both an honour and a privilege to be assigned to 16 Air Assault Brigade as the SMI PD in July 2019. Since arriving in post, I have been impressed with the sheer quality of the
RAPTCI’s in the various Units across Brigade who continually work at a high tempo in some exceptionally demanding yet hugely rewarding roles. The importance of Physical Fitness cannot be emphasised enough in this high readiness Brigade which currently has Service Personnel (SP) deployed to various places around the world including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kenya, Bahrain, Jordan and Tunisia to name but a few.
The art of ‘Tabbing’ remains a key skill and a fundamental part of the Physical Training Programmes, but the implementation of the APTS is really making inroads and I am seeing first- hand the positive effect a more educated SP is having on the Operational Effectiveness of the respective Units. This has recently been given a boost with the design and roll out of the ‘Pegasus Gym’ which is set up perfectly for functional training with larger groups.
November saw SSgt Ward and I deploy on a 4-week Short Term Training Team (STTT) task to Bahrain. In the soaring temperatures we worked with the Bahraini Royal Guard to provide PTI assurance and assist with the delivery of a bespoke PTI Course. With a huge lack of infrastructure and knowledge, SSgt Ward was able to add real value to their organisation with some simple yet effective (improvised) training ideas that they can build on in the future.
In March I deployed on Exercise Pegasus Concorde which involved interoperability training with 11e Brigade Parachutiste who train in a town called ‘Pau’ near the French Pyrenees. The 2 organisations make up the Airborne Joint Expeditionary Force and have been closely aligned ready for Operations for several years. 2 Jumps on the last day of the Exercise from 800ft in a C130 aircraft enabled me to qualify for the French wings.
French Parachute Conversion Training
RAPTCI’s who are Para trained and considering undertaking a role within 16 Air Assault Brigade in the future should make their aspirations known at the earliest opportunity. With the range of Units here there are regular assignment opportunities that arise with each post being unique but sharing that common bond of being an integral part of 16 Air Assault Brigade
Bahrain PTI Course Pass out Parade
SSgt Ward training the Bahraini Royal Guard