Page 13 - Demo

Lt Cowie, Cpl Matthew, Pte Sangerman and Lt Atkinson-Clark on Exercise FROSTED BLADE, Val d’Isère.
After a much-deserved Christmas leave the battalion assumed Very High Readiness (held at five day’s Notice To Move) on 1st January 2020 for the VJTF, poised and ready to go anywhere in the world at the request of NATO. With the knowledge that we were trained, and that our equipment was ready, the Battalion embarked on the month long ‘Fort George Festival of Fitness (and Fun)’. The Festival - billed as a ‘month in a tracksuit’ - was designed not just to take the opportunity to do two session of physical training every day but to give every soldier the chance to take part in a range of different sports. During the month soldiers had the chance to try clay pigeon shooting, fishing, cycling, running, boxing, football, rugby, triathlon, yoga, pilates, and darts.
At the same time, soldiers from the Battalion also took part in the full range of Army winter sports; the Nordic Ski team reached the Army and Tri-Service championships and the Alpine team won over 20 medals at the Infantry championships. There was further success at the Divisional championships and Lieutenant Hector Cowie and Corporal Matthews were selected to represent the Infantry at the Army championships. Members of the Battalion also learnt to Telemark ski in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, while at the same time a team of four travelled to Saint Moritz to risk their lives on the Cresta Run.
At the time of writing, we remain at five day’s notice to move for NATO commitments, but unsurprisingly, the Battalion forecast of events has been adjusted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 3 SCOTS is operating as the COVID Support Force for the Highlands, ready to provide Military Aid to the Civil Authorities. We have deployed Mobile Testing Units across Scotland as far as
The Pipes & Drums on parade at Prestonfields during summer ceremonial duties.
Ullapool, Portree, and Thurso. The jocks have embraced the unexpected challenge and are, rightly, proud to be doing something to help in these unprecedented times.
Looking forward, our NATO commitment extends until the end of the year, whereupon we expect to begin mission specific training for our next operational deployment. Having recently bid a fond farewell to Captain Nick Coles, who handed over to Captain Nick Hannay to be Assistant Military Assistant to the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, we will see more of the names at the top of the page change before the next journal entry. Major Nick Colquhoun MBE will depart for Afghanistan this summer to be replaced by Major Dave Robertson (currently commanding Charlie Company). Warrant Officer Class 1 (RSM) Kev Pedder will become Captain Kev Pedder in June when he takes over as Motor Transport Officer at 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment, having been replaced by Warrant Officer Class 1 (RSM) Marty Gray.
Charlie Company exploring – adventurous training in the Cairngorms.
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