Welcome to the third edition of the Barbarian Blog which
although a little late out of the blocks, has grown in size! The
delay in publishing has largely been due to the fact that we have
been intensely busy since the last edition and due to some guest
contributors.
Having now recovered and demobilised the Operation HERRICK 18
cohort, deployed Operation HERRICK 19, and mobilised Operation
HERRICK 20A, life within the ‘Barbarians’ continues apace. I am
fiercely proud of our achievements to date, and wish to pay tribute
to my team of Regulars and Reserves, who have worked so hard to
recruit, train, select and mobilise the steady stream of willing and
hugely capable volunteers. The Regiment has now provided a Reservist
cohort of at least 1 officer and 23 soldiers for the last four
iterations – over 100 Reservists. This is a magnificent effort and
testimony too to the value and worth of the Reservist Soldier. We
have one more cohort to mobilise before our commitment to Afghanistan
comes to an end. Whilst we have a number of volunteers ready to step
up to the plate, there is always room for more. The selection battle
camp for this final cohort will take place during the Regimental
Annual Deployment Exercise, over in Germany this coming May - don’t
miss it!
I thank you all for your continued commitment and enthusiasm,
and will do my part to ensure the Regiment receives the support that
it needs to allow you to continue in this vein. In the meantime
enjoy this edition of the Blog, which see’s a new contribution from
Major Claude Preira MBE, the Regimental Quartermaster, and Pte Evans
from 123 (Telford) Squadron.
Operations
The Operation HERRICK 18 are now home and have demobilised.
They enjoyed a hugely successful tour embedded with 9 Theatre
Logistic Regiment and the excellent reputation of the Regiment has
been further enhanced; they can be justly proud of their
achievements.
In the meantime our Operation HERRICK 19 cohort are now
approaching the twilight of their tour with 27 Theatre Logistics
Group, with only a few more months remaining. Owing to the increase
in tempo in Afghanistan, as the end of combat operations’ deadline
approaches this winter, we have received fewer updates from theatre
than we had become used to. We do know though, that the team settled
quickly and hit the ground running, making an instant, positive
impression with their Regular counterparts. LCpl Mackay from 381
(Lancaster) Squadron took time to put pen to paper and sent us an
update on life out on tour. I know that this was put up on your
Squadron information boards and hopefully you will have all seen it.
We look forward to their return and hearing more ‘war stories’
come the summer.
We have now also mobilised our Operation HERRICK 20A cohort, who
are presently embedded with 1 Logistic Support Regiment and are in
Germany going through their pre-deployment training. Operation
HERRICK 20B is in the planning stages, and is very likely to be the
last opportunity to deploy on an operational tour for the foreseeable
future. We always need more volunteers, so I encourage those of you
or are contemplating applying to do so. The selection process for
this cohort will take place during the Regimental Annual Deployment
Exercise, in Germany over the period 10 - 24 May.
Recruiting
I am pleased to say that the technical issues which affected all
of the Army’s recruiting efforts appear to have subsided – the
proof is the vastly increased inflow of new recruits. Whilst there
remain areas for improvement, as I suspect will always be the case,
much has been done to ease the burden on hard pressed recruiting
teams, and adjustments to policy now allow us to undertake more
training with potential candidates prior to attestation. The
challenge to us however remains the same, to attract new recruits and
to ensure that we provide effective mentoring and support to those in
the system waiting to complete Phase 1 training; a responsibility
that sits with us all.
Training
The main effort at the moment is the planning for our Annual
Deployment Exercise in May this year in Sennelager. It will follow a
similar construct to last year with activities being split between
the final Operation HERRICK selection battle camp, a Potential Junior
Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre, Supply and other Special to Arm
training, plus some Adventure Training. Adventure training this year
will be split between Bavaria (Klettersteig, rock climbing, mountain
biking and walking) and also Kiel Sail Training Centre, with some
sail-training and the opportunity to complete a rib safety boat
handling course . In addition there will also be some driver
conversion training for the 6 and 15 tonne MAN SV and Landrover. A
short 5 day low-level exercise will also be run under the leadership
of Lt Kinahan, who has been attached to the Regiment as a Troop
Commander for 6 months from our paired Regular unit 6 Regiment. He
will work alongside our Reservists to help with their training and
development, whilst he gains an understanding of the Reserve
environment and our capabilities.
Prior to that however, we have a range of training activities,
both at Squadron and Regimental levels, which include trade training,
soldier first and MATTs’ weekends. Your attention is drawn to the
Regimental training weekend 28 February – 2 March, taking place at
Swynerton, where MATTs 1 – 6 will be conducted as a sweep up for
those that need to qualify for their Certificate of Efficiency.
Media
Many of you will already be aware that the Regiment has
re-launched its Twitter account - @159SupRegt. From the feed you
will get updates on events planned, happening and happened as well as
some key messaging and opinion from within the Regiment and Brigade.
Please follow us and get in touch with your views about what is sent
and what you would like to see sent. We have also engaged with the
West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association media office, who
will also advertise what we are up to as a Regiment, both before and
after the event. So there is plenty of social media coverage to keep
you informed, but also hopefully to attract new interest. We do
however need to get much better at capturing our training on camera
in order that we can show-off what we do. Please pass on any of
those ‘you have been framed’ moments that have been captured to
your respective Squadron PSIs or just tweet them and mention us so
that we can re-tweet it. We have so much to be proud of and that
message can be passed very quickly with your help.
Quartermaster’s Department (by Maj Claude Preira MBE RLC)
‘Sitting in the stomach of
this Regiment charged with the responsibility of feeding this body;
the challenge constant, hunger runs deep as a result of the high
metabolism and yet, G4 continues to provide food from a larder that
is often close to empty! “Thank the Lord for MJDI!” ’
During my tenure as Quartermaster
this is my first submission to the blog, only because I have finally
managed to find a moment to take my head out of regulations, books
and countless assurance inspection reports, not to mention the
meetings, visits and my busy social calendar! I feel I can speak on
behalf of my team, when I say “It is nice to say goodbye to 2013”.
Clearly, a baptism of fire!
It all started with JAMES
training, quickly followed by G4 preparation for the Annual
Deployment Exercise. The G4 Command Group consisting of the
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, WO2 Kev Edwards, the Mechanical
Transport Warrant Officer, WO2 Stan Stanley and SSgts (Artificer
Quartermaster Sergeant) Danny Bromage (Tiffy) and Terry Burrows
(Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant) all descended into my office and
subsequently enjoyed a day of G4 analysis - all done in a “QM 5
minutes”! It was emotional. We all spilled our minds onto paper
(very messy), but the effect was immense and exercise a great
success; based on the fact that nobody starved and the transport went
to plan (well, apart from a convoy taking a slightly different route
plan on the approach to Sennelager!). Oh, and we even did some kit
exchanges! On our return home we fell into the jaws of the
introduction MJDI (Management of Joint Deployed Inventory) training,
where all the G4 staff, including civilians, went onto a concentrated
training period of 3 weeks of hard learning – even Les got it!!!
From then on, we have had great joy reconciling stock into AinU’s
(new name for a notional store). The first few weeks were very messy
well, at least on paper and on one particular occasion the SQMS in
237 (West Bromwich) Squadron even managed to fit all of his stores
and equipment into the Armoury! He must have been off sick during
that part of his MJDI course.
On the Equipment front we saw the
MT and LAD leading the field in preparation for ECI. There were
plenty of long sleepless nights dreaming of JAMES, limited role of
vehicles and inspection reports. A good deal of spit and polish also
went into preparing for this event and clearly it was a resounding
success! “Let’s try and deploy all our kit into the field during
next year’s inspection” could make life easier all round. With
the advent of JAMES the team continued to work hard so that all of
the number crunching was done meticulously to ensure the status of
the fleet was accurately maintained. Our next challenge was to pair
JAMES with MJDI, one that proved to be just that, a challenge, even
to the most ardent of “G4 Computer Geeks”. It resulted in most
of the G4/ES staff converged on PH’s terminal (in his absence) to
put this to bed once-and-for-all! Nnd and then Sadly, they all went
home empty handed, yes we failed! “Tomorrow is a new day”.
We have also found time for some
fun with events such as hill walking, ably organised by SSgt Lucas
from 381 (Lancaster) Squadron, and of course some collective letting
down of the hair. Most recently we had a Christmas dinner organised
by Mr Sean Langford.
News from around the Patch
123 Ammunition Sqn (Telford/Stoke) – Maj AC
Nicholson OC. This has been quite a busy period for 123 Squadron.
The recruiting team under the direction of SSgts Burton and Norton
have been very active in the area and with a good deal of success.
We have currently 21 Candidates on TRHJ of which 5 have been
attested. 4 are currently on Phase 1 Training and 1 is conducting
Trade Training. The Squadron has a further 9 contacts who have yet
to fill in an application form. In addition a further 2 have been
attested during January 14. These new additions will be trained
using the newly implemented Phase 0 and Phase -1 training programmes.
A Troop (Telford) under the organisation and guidance of SSgt
Bromley held a Families’ Day to welcome back 7 Reservists from
HERRICK 18. This was primarily to aid the integration and cohesion
of A&B Troops and to show family members the support that the
Squadron offers for members deploying and returning from operations.
The event was great success and 86 people attended.
Last October 7 reservists (Capt Lord, SSgt Bromley, Cpl Holmes,
Cpl Columb, LCpl Trueman, LCpl Bedson and Pte Jeffries) took part in
the BUPA Birmingham Half Marathon in aid of the charity Cancer
Research UK and in memory of the late Dave Bradley, ex-Squadron
Commander and Regimental Second-in-Command. The team raised the
princely sum of £720.00 for the charity and completed the event with
a team average time of 1hr 46 mins per runner.
In November the Squadron led the Leegomary and Hadley local
authority Service of Remembrance. In keeping with Squadron tradition
the Sergeant Major, WO2 Adams, took on the role of Parade Marshall
and our newest member, Pte Hemming, was given the task of placing the
wreath at the cenotaph to commemorate those who gave their lives
fighting for their country, a duty he conducted with extreme
professionalism. This was a proud moment for the OC as it was his
first official parade with his soldiers.
Later in the month we conducted a semi-formal sit down meal to
welcome home the Operation HERRICK 18 volunteers and to said farewell
to a stalwart and our longest serving member, SSgt Seabrook; whose
service spanned 13 years Regular and 22 Territorial Army.
Following the welcome Christmas break a skiing exercise conducted
at Tignes in the French Alps saw 9 Squadron members (Capt Speak, WO2
Ruane, SSgt Burton, SSgt Ponter, LCpl Garton, LCpl Holmes, LCpl
Lavell, LCpl Orange, and Pte Evans) participate in Exercise BARBARIAN
ALPINE DRAGON. In addition, WO2 Ruane, LCpl O’Riley and Pte
Allison have been selected to attend Exercise RLC SKI in February.
216 (Tynemouth) Squadron – Maj H Drennan OC. This has
been a cracking period for the Squadron. In the run up to Christmas
it was all hands on deck to prepare for the Squadron Christmas Ball.
The evening was a great success with almost 100 in attendance – a
great turnout.
Post Christmas has seen a steady increase in attendance, from
potential recruits to guys/gals that we have not seen for some time.
We successfully ran a Team Medic Course, which was organised and
delivered by Sgt Brooks. The feedback from the course participants
was excellent and the aspiration is to run the course at each
Squadron within the Regiment. We have also had Ptes Banks and
Crinnion return from a skiing expedition who had a brilliant time and
can’t wait to get their skis back on.
On the operations front, we welcomed back LCpl Boldrini, Ptes
Brown, Crinnioni, Rudman, Pirie and Sewell from Operation HERRICK 18.
All of the soldiers had a great tour and represented the Regiment
and Squadron well. In the meantime we have also said farewell to 4
members who have volunteered for the next iteration; farewell and
good luck to LCpl Miller, LCpl Tambin, Pte Ryan and Pte Turgoose. We
should not of course forget those who are currently away and the hard
work that they are delivering in Afghanistan: Ptes Edler, Elsdon and
Percy.
237 (West Bromwich) Squadron - Maj D Paget OC. Prior to
the Christmas break the Squadron held a MATTs’ training day which
concluded with the soldier’s Christmas lunch followed by
entertainment and drinks in the bar. During the meal we took the
opportunity to write Christmas cards to the Squadron’s Operation
HERRICK 19 cohort, the ‘Magnificent 7’, who are being able led by
SSgt Lewis. As part of the proceedings I had the privilege to
promote some Ptes to LCpl – congratulations to LCpl Thompson and
Conoghan; Ptes Ward and Leja were also selected and will be promoted
to LCpl on completion of the Potential JNCO Cadre. The final award
of the day, and year, was the most prestigious and I am pleased to
confirm that the Squadron’s Soldier of the year award went to Pte
Tfari.
After the much needed break, all Squadron personnel returned
refreshed and ready to face the challenges ahead. We also welcomed
back LCpl Bell, Pte’s Mckee, Ward and Scarlet from their
deployments and at the same time bade farewell to Ptes Banks, Wood
and Hickman on Operation HERRICK 20A. The SPSI WO2 (SQMS) English
departed on Exercise BARBARIAN ALPINE (Skiing) with 3 members of the
Squadron, they all had a great time and discovered talents that they
did not know they had. Finally, a welcome to the newest recruits to
the Squadron: Ptes Natalie Cullis, Craig Sutton and Jenny Constable.
243 (Coventry) Squadron – Maj G Bilsbarrow OC. This has
been a period where we have seen attendance numbers start to pick up
again, possibly due to the new and more exciting training programme.
We have also now introduced a new PT club every Wednesday evening
which seems to be attracting a good level of attendance. This is
organised by the PTIs and they want all members of the Squadron to
attend so that they can do bigger and more painful sessions!
Recruiting remains a priority and we are now getting good returns
from CAPITA although actual number increases are slow to appear. We
have recently held a very successful trade weekend where numbers were
good and we have our first 5 volunteers for Operation HERRICK 20B. 3
of our members recently attended Exercise BARBARIAN ALPINE DRAGON in
France and a great time was had by all with a new potential
instructor being found in Pte Adam Robson; and LCpl Hoskins managed
to scrape into the top group after a good ski-off at startex. WO2
Williams has now started to make progress with the charity Grapevine
and the first event for this group will be held in the Memorial Park
in May 14 with a command task and sports day for these fine people
with learning disabilities.
In November the Squadron supported the Coventry Remembrance
Parade, providing the largest uniformed contingent for the service.
Later that month we also hosted a joint charity event with DHL,
raising over £1000.00 for Help For Heroes. Finally we are now in
the final stages of organising an Adventure Training weekend (7-9
March) which will include mountain biking, canoeing and climbing and
promises to be a very exciting event.
And finally:
Pte George Evans from 123 (Telford) Squadron has produced an
excellent report from Exercise BARBARIAN ALPINE DRAGO 14 that I
thought I would share with you…
As far as adventure training goes in the Army Reserve skiing is
one of many types of outdoor activities that gets given a 10 out of
10, simply because of the sheer exhilaration and challenges it
presents; so says Pte George Evans editor and script writer of this
piece. The 19 Army Reservists, 2 x FTRS (very old officers) and 2
Regulars from the Regiment realised this after 7 days’ skiing, in
Tignes near Val D’Isere, ably supported by their 4 instructors - 2
of which are also from 159 Supply Regiment.
From the moment we stepped off the very uncomfortable coach in
Tignes Val Claret, (the village that is at the bottom of the Grande
Motte glacier which is 3700+ meters above sea level) we immediately
settled into our very comfortable and roomy 4 man boxes or should
that be box rooms. A quick admin brief later and then we were ready
for the fitting of boots and skis, all set for the week ahead;
including the falls, trips and face plants that would surely follow.
It wasn’t just the novices by all accounts, some of the more
experienced skiers were also preparing themselves mentally for their
advancement. The bus journey part of exercise did not apply to
everyone though. Pte Joe Cluney, who actually bought his flatmate’s
passport with him to the MCCP, had to make his own arrangements
(after collecting his passport) and he booked a flight and transfer
with the help of Sgt Laura Morrisey. Despite the embarrassment, he
probably had the better deal due to the comfort of his travel
arrangements.
Day one started with the group being split into 4 ability groups
in the hostel and then the transfer on to the small slope named
Bollin. This allowed the Chief Instructor and the other instructors
to correctly grade those with previous experience – and this was
where anyone who perhaps exaggerated their skill levels was
immediately found out. The four groups each had an instructor,
including WO2 Gaz “Powder Snow” English and WO2 Ross “I will
see you on PT” McDougall; the other two were Musn Lauren Porter
from the Welsh Guards Band and WO1 Iain (“Speed is good, control is
better”) Waterston of the REME.
Musn Porter enjoyed the privilege of developing the beginners
group and WO2 McDougall had the remainder. They took us under their
respective wings and with a bit of persistence taught us various
basic moves which would prove invaluable later in the week. These
included correct posture, methods of different controlled turns such
as plough turning and the plough parallel turns and at the end of the
expedition the pay-off was clear as everybody achieved a Ski
Foundation Level 1 qualification. Somebody should however remind WO2
McDougall that just because the lifts run from 0830 until 1645
everyday it is not compulsory to use them every day. The remainder
of the course was spent learning many skills which some of us,
including the more adventurous, would not have believed possible and
there were some real heroes who progressed way beyond their wildest
dreams. There were many memorable moments during the week but what
sticks in most peoples’ minds must be the first time we got to the
top of La Grande Motte. We travelled via a train in a tunnel, when
the weather was at its best, and this was an experience none of us
are likely to forget; the icing on the cake was that we actually got
to ski off this monster which is an achievement of the highest order.
The week ended and we had a traditional group meal organised by
SSgt Jo (Knees) Burton and friends, where rewards were given and some
speeches made by the instructors. This is where all 4 groups got
together for one last time swapping stories of incredible bravery,
skill, cunning and jumps taken at warp speed of which probably only a
tiny percentage had any semblance of truth in them. There are of
course many more stories to tell but I only have limited space. I
will finish though by endorsing the trip and the area; if you’ve
never skied before, there or anyway, then make sure that you
volunteer when the chance arises. It was a fantastic opportunity for
which everyone was truly grateful; our thanks go out to all of the
instructors and all of those who planned the trip.
Colin
Francis
Lt Col CJ Francis MBE
Commanding Officer
The
awards’ ceremony, at the Hilton in Coventry, was well attended, with notable
guests such as the Lord Mayors of Coventry and Warwick, plus of course nominees
from across the community and their supporting friends and families. To support LCpl Hoskins were his Commanding
Officer, Lt Col C J Francis MBE RLC; Welfare Officer, Capt M Singh MBE RL;
Troop Commander, Lt J Kinahan RLC; and his grandfather, Mr Herbert
Hoskins. Herbert especially enjoyed the ceremony
and opportunity to relish in the plaudits and gratitude expressed by the local
community in thanks and praise of his grandson’s efforts. .jpeg)
"I
would Firstly like to thank all those who nominated me, it came as a huge shock
when I was asked to stand in front of my Officer Commanding (Maj G Bilsbarrow
RLC) where he then explained that I had been put forward for a nomination, but
I'd also like to thank all of those other well deserving people who were also
nominated. They have all done something that warrants a nomination and they
were all winners today. To be able to attend the event with the
Commanding Officer, the Regimental Welfare Officer, my Troop Commander and my
Grandfather was a huge privilege that I will remember for a long time to
come"".jpeg)
