Page 62 - RAPTC Year of 2019

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13 AIR ASSAULT SUPPORT REGIMENT RLC
Ex ‘Dragon Manaslu Triumph’ AT Expedition
Inter Sqn Boxing Finals
year of exposure to Boxing, it was a very humbling night to be part of and a great learning experience. With Nordic and Alpine skiing expeds taking place over the busy winter months, it was impressive to see the unit support a 10-man team for Ex Dragon Manaslu Tri-umph. This consisted of a highly trained 10-man team, trekking in Nepal to reach Everest base camp.
With my first year over and it being a busy period, I have had a very proactive but enjoyable time. It has developed me both personally and mentally and has certainly taken me out of my comfort zone on many occasions. But I would recommend the role to any Para trained RAPTCI looking to come and serve with 13 AASR in the future. Safe landings!!
SSgt Davies with Pre-Para DS
It has been another great year in the RAPTC being posted to 13 Air Assault Support Regiment (AASR), a highly professional unit who are continually held at R1 readiness. Being an integral part
of 16 Air Assault Brigade means there is no let up in the relentless FOE.
For this reason, it has been a key objective of 13 AASR to be physically and mentally prepared to deploy anywhere in the world, where if called upon, has the capability to conduct a fully scaled parachute decent into Operations. Implementing the APTS and the transition from AFT to RFT(S) has had a positive response from this Regiment who are always striving to uphold the highest standards. Having deployed to Afghanistan, Kenya, Cyprus, Brunei, Bahrain and Croatia the importance for being physically fit is one this Regiment takes very seriously.
March 19 saw a Short Term Training Team (STTT) deployment to Bahrain, working with the Royal Guard. We were tasked by 16 Air Assault Brigade HQ to assist with the development of Guard Company. With a small ‘beat-up’ progressing into a test week, we eventually assisted in creating a physi-cal training programme the Bahrainis could use to select the very fittest soldiers to be employed within the unit. Meeting the Crown Prince, Sheik Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifia to ‘tabbing’ past camels on a 20 miler in the desert at 0430, Bahrain really ended up being a great experience.
Both the Officers and Soldiers of 13 AASR continue to strive to earn the Maroon Beret and the British Para Wings on the successful completion of All Arms Pre-Parachute Selection (AAPPS). With 4 courses running per year, we are attached as DS to provide PTI support and deliver AAPPS(Screening). With the 3-week course running at Crowborough Training Camp, the students must quickly adapt to both the physical and mental demands the harsh terrain brings if they are to progress to ITC Catterick.
Being part of this Regiment, I have found out Parachuting is something the RAPTCI is encouraged to conduct on a regular basis. So far, I have had the privilege to be part of the Arnhem 75th Anniversary and deployed from C130 Hercules to Estonia and Italy on Brigade level exercises.
Operational commitments and the fast pace of this Regiment has not stopped the various AT and Sporting activities that run during the calendar year. The Regiment has hosted Major Unit Boxing semi-finals and finals. With the Team performing incredibly well in the finals, coming runners up to 3 PARA. With this being my first
SSgt (SSI) B Davies RAPTC