Wire April 2013
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THE wire April 2013 www.royalsignals.mod.uk The Magazine of The Royal Corps of Signals We are proud to inform you of the new Armed Forces Hindu Network The centre point for all Hindu activities across MoD Its purpose is to: • Inform members of development in the wider Armed Forces. • Provide an inclusive platform for discussions and meetings for serving Hindus. • Keep the Hindu community in the Armed Forces, including civilian sta, informed on: - Cultural & Spiritual matters and events. - Seminars with external speakers. (Membership is free) For further information, please contact: Captain P Patel RAMC (Chairman) Email: [email protected] Mobile: 07914 06665 / 01252 348308 Flight Lieutenant V Mungroo RAF (Dep Chair) Deputy Chairman Email: [email protected] WO1 AK Chauhan MBE (Media & Comms) Email: [email protected] Mobile: 07919 210525 / 01252 348 308 FEBRUARY 2013 Vol. 67 No: 2 The Magazine of the Royal Corps of Signals Established in 1920 Find us on The Wire Published bi-monthly Annual subscription £12.00 plus postage Editor: Mr Keith Pritchard Editor Deputy Editor: Ms J Burke Mr Keith Pritchard Tel: 01258 482817 All correspondence and material for publication in The Wire should be addressed to: The Wire, RHQ Royal Signals, Blandford Camp, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8RH Email: [email protected] Contributors Deadline for The Wire : 15th February for publication in the April. 15th April for publication in the June. 15th June for publication in the August. 15th August for publication in the October. 15th October for publication in the December. Accounts / Subscriptions 10th December for publication in the February. Mrs Jess Lawson To see The Wire on line or to refer to Guidelines for Contributors, go to: Tel: 01258 482087 http://www.army.mod.uk/signals/heritage/1311.aspx Subscribers All enquiries regarding subscriptions and changes of address of The Wire should be made to: 01258 482087 or 94371 2087 (mil) or [email protected]. Remittances should be made payable to Royal Signals Benevolent Fund CONTENTS Page Other notable articles Page News from Operations 2 Op NEWCOMBE - UK support to Mali 12-13 News from Training 14 News from Regiments 25 1 NZ Sig Regt update 90-91 News from Squadrons 76 98-101 88 How to organise Adventurous Other Units Training Sport 92 Obituary: Eric Lomax - The Railwayman 110-111 Royal Signals Association 104 Last Post 108 Obituaries 108 FRONT COVER BACK COVER Capt Collins coming off Pylon jump on LCpl Rose from 216 (Para) Sig the Army Downhill Sqn with the Quad Pack Rebro Authors alone are responsible for the content of their articles. The opinions expressed in the articles of this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of the Royal Corps of Signals or the Ministry of Defence. All articles and submissions are published at the discretion of the Editor. This publication may contain official information. It should be treated with discretion by the recipient. THE WIRE, APRILPrinted 2013 by Holbrook Printers Ltd, Norway Road, Hilsea, Portsmouth © Crown Copyright 1 NEWS FROM OPERATIONS 2nd SIGNAL REGIMENT CO Lt Col C Vaudin roles out in Theatre. A flag which had been made by all 2 RSM WO1 (RSM) D Lamont Signal Regiment families back in the UK and put together by Mrs Davis, wife of Maj Mark Davis, was sent out to THE HALFWAY POINT - by Lt Col Vaudin Afghanistan wishing 2 Signal Regiment personnel all the best for Christmas and New Year. 2 Signal Regiment is now approaching the halfway point in Op HERRICK 17 forming the core of the Joint Force CIS Christmas day was a working day like just any other, apart (Afghanistan) Group; it is amazing how the time has flown from a few pleasant exceptions. The CO served tea and past so quickly. I am pleased to report that the Regiment coffee to the soldiers in Mercury Lines on Christmas morning. continues to go from strength to strength delivering the ‘vital Everyone watched the Queen's speech in the HQ and then link’ of deployed communications and information systems to took part in a quiz which was won by the HQ plans team! Theatre. We have had many notable successes in our time in Theatre, most of which I cannot go into the detail of due to Over the last few weeks JFCIS(A) has been competing in the 2 operational security. What I can say is that at this pivotal Signal Regiment charity event. The challenge was for the point in the campaign the J6 community, and 2 Signal Regt to cover the distance from Camp Bastion to York via Regiment at its heart, are delivering success at every turn. various different physical activities and to raise money for The Army Benevolent Fund. JFCIS(A) staff completed 1500 km The Regiment is probably the most dispersed unit in Theatre worth of spinning and 117km of tabbing. with soldiers in every location from the Forward Operating Bases in Helmand to HQ ISAF in Kabul. The famous Cross Keys The R&R plot is now well under way and there is a regular are evident almost everywhere and often recognised; that can flow of people disappearing from the HQ and re-appearing a be both a good and a bad thing… That said, everyone I speak couple of weeks later. This is the next milestone for most to from the various Commanding Officers to Headquarters people on tour and everyone is looking forward to getting Staff Officers are full of praise for our work that continues to home and seeing their family and friends for a couple of be recognised across Theatre and warmly reported. weeks. I am sure that many more challenges lay ahead during our 219 SIGNAL SQUADRON time on HERRICK 17 as we drive forward transition and redeployment and set the conditions for success of 3 (UK) OC Maj M Davis Division Signal Regiment who will come after us. I have total SSM WO2 (SSM) C Stansfield confidence in the soldiers of the Regiment who are more than able to meet these challenges; indeed we are looking forward KABUL SUPPORT UNIT - by Capt O’Connell to them. 2 Signal Regiment Soldiers serving in Afghanistan over the JFCIS(A) HQ - by LCpl Parvin festive period were treated to a Royal morale boost by their Colonel-in-Chief, HRH the Princess Royal. Capt Amrit meets the Colonel in Chief The pace of life in JFCIS(A) HQ continues to be fast. 2 Signal Regiment have been in place for three months and the time is The Princess, who was accompanied by her husband Vice passing by quickly. All the IA’s are now in place and last to Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, visited Camp Bastion where arrive was Col Simon Hutchinson. To that end we need to say the HQ of the Joint Force Communications and Information farewell to the old Comd JFCIS(A) Col Peter Drew. In mid Systems (Afghanistan) are based. The Regiment, which is December we had a visit from HRH Princess Ann who spent based at Imphal Barracks, York, deployed to Afghanistan in time talking to members of JFCIS(A) about their jobs and October 2012 for a six month period. Split across the Area of 2 THE WIRE, APRIL 2013 Operations, as far north as Kabul city, and as far south as contained within). It is a difficult time to be away from family Helmand Province, the Regiment provides operational CIS to and loved ones, so these packages and message of support all UK Force Elements operating in the country. give everyone a tremendous boost. The 2 Sig Regt personnel have been successful in rectifying issues and establishing a The CO, Lt Col Colin Vaudin, said ‘It was wonderful to have our new link, which has been identified by our very pleased users Colonel in Chief visit. Soldiers, especially those on Operations, at various sites. The weather has been our most probing take real comfort and encouragement from these visits; it enemy, with snow at the helm and on our satellite dishes. reminds them that they remain close to the hearts and in the thoughts of those we serve.’ In anticipation of the festive season, the Det has been turned into a (very) poor mans Santa’s grotto. There were many Having visited the Regiment earlier in the year, the Princess festive activities and everyone made the most of being away had plenty to discuss with the officers and soldiers. She also from family best they could. It is always difficult being away saw a number of pieces of equipment that the Regiment from families, even more so over the holiday season. The first provides operational support to and also had the opportunity Christmas event was the carol service on Christmas Eve. All of to view the Regimental patch work tapestry that had been the British congregated around a bonfire and participated in made by the families back at home. Padre Evans’ service. Lt Owen, Sgt Taylor and Sig Kasper had to present readings from the Bible during this service. The Regiment will also love the honour of hosting HRH at their medals parade on return from operations in May 2013. Christmas Day will forever be remembered by all, a once in a lifetime experience some would say. To start the day at CAMP SOUTER ICS DETATCHMENT - by Sgt Taylor 05:30, Cpl Hedges, Cpl Pierson and Cpl Welburn attended a festive spinning class hosted by an American instructor, helping to build multi-national bridges. There was a great feast for Christmas lunch, which was followed by the HQ ISAF Christmas quiz.