CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY

RESERVE FORCES AND CADETS ASSOCIATION for Northern ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | 2019 CONTENTS RFCA NI OVERVIEW RFCA NI OVERVIEW 03 RFCA NI, like its twelve sister organisations across the UK, is a civilian, CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION 04 autonomous, non-departmental government body (underpinned by an CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S SUMMARY 06 Act of Parliament) with a pre-scripted structure and membership that RESERVES 08 reaches across society throughout . It has two formal EMPLOYERS 10 functions, namely: CADETS 11 SCHOOL CADET EXPANSION PROGRAMME 13 Non-Executive: The Association acts as a champion and conscience for PATHWAY ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES 13 Armed Forces reserves (circa 2,000) and cadets and their adult volunteers CIVIL ENGAGEMENT 14 (circa 5,000), as well as their stakeholders – employers, local authorities, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS 16 parents, schools etc. – across the Province. It does so through its ESTATES 17 voluntary members and Board, led by its Chairman, that report through a FINANCE 18 national board to the Defence Council and Parliament.

UNIT SUMMARIES 19 Executive: Under the direction and responsibility of the Chief Executive, HMS Hibernia 20 the Association is accountable for: Royal Marines Reserves Detachment 23 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (2 R Irish) 24 • Delivering reserve and cadet infrastructure. The Band Of The Royal Irish Regiment 26 • Administering and providing support – to differing degrees – to all 152 (North Irish) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps 28 types of cadet organisations. 204 (NI) Field Hospital 30 • Providing life support to reserves, including finance, recruiting, PR and 253 (North Irish) Medical Regiment 32 community relations. 591 (AA) Field , 71 Engineer Regiment 35 • Acting as the lead interface between employers and reservists. 40 () Signal Squadron, 32 Signal Regiment 38 • Developing, nurturing, sustaining and maintaining links across the 206 (Ulster) Battery, 105 Regiment Royal Artillery 40 community. Army Training Unit (Northern Ireland) 42 • Acting as an advisory body to the Ministry of Defence on regional 62 Military Intelligence Company, 6 MI Battalion 44 matters. 157 Divisional Support Company, 102 Battalion Reme 45 B (North Irish Horse) Squadron, The Scottish and North Irish 47 Particular to Northern Ireland, the Association uses its networks, structure Queen’s University Officer Training Corps 48 and resources to engage in a wide-ranging youth outreach programme 502 (Ulster) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAUXAF) 51 “Pathways” and is working hard to develop a robust structure that facilitates better coordination and delivery of support to our veterans. CADET SUMMARIES 54 Northern Ireland District Sea Cadets 55 1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force 56 2nd (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force 59 Northern Ireland Wing Air Cadets 62 COMBINED CADET FORCES 66 Bangor Grammar School Combined Cadet Force 66 Campbell College Combined Cadet Force 67 Foyle College Combined Cadet Force 69 Lisnagarvey High School Combined Cadet Force 70 Royal Belfast Academical Institution Combined Cadet Force 71 Royal School Combined Cadet Force 72

2 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 3 CHAIRMAN The reserve units in Northern Ireland thrive. So has increased. A Veteran’s Champion has been much so that the Ministry of Defence authorised a established in each local authority area. It is hoped This comprehensive report describes the 10% increase in establishment during this past year. that Veterans’ Champions will enjoy a longevity of achievements and challenges of the past year and However, the limitations in the estate which were tenure although local Council elections are due in looks forward to those of the next year. Results referred to in the last annual report still have to be May 2019. which were only achieved and challenges which overcome. While most of the units are well recruited, were only overcome because of the dedication, there must be no complacency. The frequent Thank you to all who have contributed to this report. commitment and enthusiasm of all involved with criticism of the recruiting system during the last five It provides an effective account of the success of the Reserve Forces and Cadets in Northern Ireland. years may have resulted in effective change during Association during 2018/19. Thank you all for that dedication, commitment, 2018. The Board is monitoring this situation critically enthusiasm and sheer hard work. and hopes to see an improvement in 2019/20. During the next year I hope to have the opportunity to visit units and attachments and hear directly As Chair of the Board of RFCA NI, I welcome the Engagement with the civil community continues to of success achieved, challenges overcome and restructuring introduced in March 2018. Responsible be a huge task. One of the great strengths of RFCA challenges outstanding during 2019. for the strategic direction of the Association, the NI in discharging this responsibility is that many restructured Board is better able to carry out people involved with the engagement process those responsibilities. Thank you to the Chairs and have known each other for several years. However, G C Chesney Members of the various committees and all Board there continue to be many challenges. The public’s Chairman members. experience of the Armed Forces is much reduced compared to earlier times. Cross-community issues The cadet organisations as a whole continue to be a remain, but perhaps a greater understanding has resounding success - one can only agree on reading emerged during the First World War Centenary the reports by the NI District Sea Cadets, the two events of the last four years. Army Cadet Force Battalions, the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Contingents. It is encouraging that events during the year led to I make particular mention of the increase in the direct contact between the general public and the number of CCF contingents as an illustration of that Armed Forces. Royal Salutes took place outside the continuing success. confines of Hillsborough Castle. On Armed Forces Day, units marched through . The annual air shows at and Newcastle continue to be popular and well attended. Positive stories in the local press raise public awareness.

Such exposure is but a small part of the engagement process. There must be no relaxation of the huge effort which takes place away from public exposure to deliver employer support at the local level. It is very encouraging, therefore, to observe the continued increase in both numbers of supportive employers and the ongoing growth in meaningful contact with other institutions/organisations, particularly within the Higher Education sector. Veteran support is proving to be such a success that RFCA NI requires extra resources to cope! Voluntary groups throughout the Province have been identified and supported. Awareness of financial resources available from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund 4 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 5 ultimately about the delivery of the cadet indirect support are faced with ever-widening experience, led by the Army with whom we have expectations (and, indeed, measurements of a tight almost symbiotic partnership. effectiveness) on the delivery of a workable veterans’ strategy for NI, the resolution of individual cases of • Co-operation across the cadet movements hardship and the growth in capacity of organisations continues to improve, as manifested by a greater across NI to support veterans through access to the sharing of resources and best practice. This level of Covenant Fund. All of this is in spite of the fact that co-operation – overseen by the Joint Cadet our primary role remains one of facilitation and Committee - is not quite replicated elsewhere, but reporting as opposed to the delivery functions of media packages in order to underpin recruiting. CHIEF EXECUTIVE then NI is such a small, often challenging space in statutory bodies and service charities whose roles we These initiatives are built on the experience and which to develop cadet activities that we would strive not to compromise. It is a task that is frustrating Over the last two reports, I have laboured the connections developed within a cadet context but be remiss in not co-operating. The NI District Sea but rewarding in equal measure. We do struggle which have had clear, measurable results. importance of our on-going efforts to add value. As I Cadets are doing particularly well at present, within the resources allocated but at least have had hope is clear from my synopsis of our outputs, below, particularly given the Sea Cadets’ operating model ministerial recognition of our needs. The Board, Membership and Wider Networks we not only continue to do so but to do so within a that is not best suited to the NI environment. The widening area of both responsibilities and activities. I Communications activities are inextricably linked to Air Training Corps (ATC) continues to offer a The Pathway Programme the development and maintenance of our wider am proud that we have been able to achieve this unique experience, albeit one that has not been The Pathway programme – or Pathway Adventure with little increase in resources. Indeed, most of the networks. We have a clear remit from the MOD to able to offer the same flying activities as hitherto. Activities as it is more widely known – continues to deliver engagement for Defence as a whole with the latter has been self-generated. Alongside comparable That is in the process of change with greater expand and has been (acknowledging that this is a organisations, we are lean in the extreme. We have expectation that we do so on the basis of such access to flying and we are committed, as a dangerous phrase to use) an unqualified success. networks. Yet however extensive and meaningful only been able to achieve this because of the priority, to help the ATC grow to a level Through its delivery of a wide range of bespoke commitment and professionalism of our staff and I they are, it is the on-going, longer-term commitment commensurate with the other cadet organisations. programmes for the development of young people, of our membership and, in particular, our Board that unapologetically take this opportunity to thank them it has delivered exactly what it was designed to do, for their support. To summarise our activities: provide both the foundation for everything we do • The Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) has been, namely: and the pillars around which the above networks are proportionately, by far the most successful in the Estates entrenched. I cannot stress enough my gratitude for UK. This is almost entirely down to the efforts of • Both positively influence communities across NI the on-going support of our members. Against an extremely tight budget, albeit our Schools Cadet Expansion Officer who has and to understand them better – and, bluntly, to supplemented by our own income-generating worked doggedly and patiently with a wide range contribute to society whether or not this has J W Rollins MBE efforts, we continue to maintain what is measured to of schools to more than double the number of direct, tangible results for Defence. be the most effective (measured by condition, and Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingents in NI. cost per square metre) Volunteer Estate in the UK. Although not formally funded to support CCFs • To garnish a wider understanding of aspects of This is despite the added costs of security not faced beyond their initial setting-up, we continue to the Defence community in a discreet, sensitive elsewhere. Our team of 5 professionals oversees 14 divert a significant proportion of our internally- manner that would be difficult to deliver reserve sites and 60 cadet sites alongside the generated funds towards them in recognition of otherwise and which will have a positive, longer current delivery of a £4.75 million accommodation the greater challenges CCF schools in NI face term impact on recruiting. build project in . Simultaneously, they are compared to elsewhere. working hard on a range of planning options to meet • To raise funds without which the life support the infrastructure needs on an expanded reserve Employer Engagement expected of us could not be delivered. liability, the laydown for which has yet to be defined As most will be aware, conducting an overly overt by the Army. relationship with employers in NI remains We now employ 4 permanent and 63 part-time staff challenging. In turn, the maintenance and conduct of delivering the programme which delivers for over Cadets effective relationships requires more of a hands-on 50,000 young people annually and which generates • Recruiting for the Army Cadet Force (ACF) has effort. This has not deterred our Regional Employer some £100k annually for the benefit of wider rarely been healthier – as is the case, perhaps Engagement Director (REED) and her small staff from Defence. more importantly, with retention of older cadets. continuing to expand the number of “supportive Both trends are partly explained by the success of employers”. More important, the team’s success in Communications and Recruiting Support the Pathways programme that has exposed the maintaining a transactional dialogue when The one activity that holds much of the above cadet experience more widely and has funded businesses and other bodies have so much on their together and without which we could not deliver our activities that underpin retention, such as the plate is testament to the sheer amount of persistent business is that conducted by our small driving licence programme, cadet detachment “hands on” engagement they conduct. Currently, the communications team. They work closely with the events and overseas trips. Critically, though, it is team is doing a lot to explore how these relationships individual services and their media staffs. They also can be developed further – on a transactional basis work closely with all the cadet organisations and, I – for the benefit of both cadet and veteran am delighted to report, with an increasing number of employment. reserve units. In fairness, the latter has always been the case although not all units have consistently Veterans exploited the communications team’s reach, Our Veterans Support Office (VSO) is now well networks and expertise. This appears to be changing. embedded, indeed so much so that it is inundated I have certainly witnessed a number of units with work. The VSO and those of us in direct or engaging in detail with a view to tailoring social

6 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 7 Cambrian Patrol competition in their own right as RESERVES well as supporting and mentoring a number of The delivery of a well recruited, effective, reserve other non-UK teams. continues to occupy Defence and Northern Ireland’s reserve units who make a significant • One of 152 (NI) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps’ contribution to UK Defence. recent highlights was a Regimental level Annual Continuation Training (ACT) exercise, Exercise The figures below are indicative of current strengths LEOPARD STAR in in September. The in our region: package provided an excellent training focus for Reserve numbers in Northern Ireland have been the year, developing cross-country driving in Establishment Trained Untrained balanced as a result of reductions of 109 Med Sqn in various bulk fuel carrying assets, trade specific /Target Strength Strength 253 Med Regt, but the Regiment has assumed skills in an austere environment, as well as basic RNR 123 100 27 responsibility for a UK-based Sqn instead. The close combat soldiering. RMR 70 35 25 intention remains to continue reviewing the Army Reserve 2165 1715 expansion of the reserves in Northern Ireland, driven 1 • 502 (Ulster) Sqn RAuxAF have had reservists RAF Reserve 129 57 33 by Deputy Commander (Reserves), and it is intended 1 Plus 50 additional medical posts held as a global establishment. deployed to a variety of countries and operational Note: These figures do not include the OTC/UAS Officer Cadets. to look at the Army Reserve footprint across the areas under Op SHADER and OP KIPION across the Province with a view to preparing for the future. wider Gulf region of the Middle East. With a variety Strength The Association’s focus remains on supporting of engagements to mark the centenary of the RAF, The current position with regards to reserve strength growth and with the recent addition of the Fortify they have been at the forefront of the public in Northern Ireland remains, for the time being, a Operations Group to the meetings attended by RFCA image both in NI and on the mainland. positive one. However, we would be remiss if we NI, the ability for RFCA NI to influence, support and were not to mention that this has been despite a grow the reserves across the Province will be • The Royal Marine Reserve Belfast Detachment has number of factors which have been introduced enhanced. a new Officer in Command and has had which have not assisted the recruiting efforts of the numerous ranks deployed on Ships Force reserves. The Capita programme has received much Command and Control (C2) Structures Protection Tasks (SFPT) around the Arabian Gulf; exposure in the press and it is not for us to perform a The C2 structures remain complex, having units and Cold Weather Training in Norway; and with the premature autopsy in this report, suffice to say that sub-units in Northern Ireland reporting to, and Lead Commando Group (LCG) in the Mohave we are concerned over the shrinking number of receiving direction from, outside Northern Ireland. Desert and Red Sea. recruits and the measures introduced, such as We work in close partnership with the Regional Point removal of the ROSO posts in units and the of Command (RPOC) 38 (Irish) on an almost The RFCA Relationship continuing issues, mentioned in the last report, daily basis on a plethora of issues, but with the RPOC The Association can be justifiably pleased with the concerning the efficiency of the pipeline and the having a slightly limited impact at unit and sub-unit impact of our relationship with all of the reserve units mounting pressure on units to perform nurturing level, it can be frustrating and challenging in equal and sub-units across the Province; increased levels of tasks whilst in the ‘pipeline’. With the reserve units measure. We have also seen many of the new unit liaison and support are evident, with units across the Province demonstrating the talent and Commanding Officers visit RFCA NI as they take up benefitting from estates, welfare, financial, recruiting, skillsets required to underline the great recruiting their new appointments at RHQs outside Northern media and employer engagement opportunities at practices and outcomes, despite the external factors, Ireland in an effort to inform them of the every level. the prognosis is good for the future. complexities that their elements face here.

Activities Growth The unit summaries at the back of this report give a The Tri-Service reserves better idea of what Northern Ireland’s reservists have have, on the whole, been involved with this year, but a few highlights to remained stable throughout look out for are: the reporting year, with increases in both HMS • During 2018, personnel from HMS HIBERNIA have HIBERNIA and 502 (Ulster) mobilised to the Maritime Sqn RAuxAF. On the Army Component Command in the Gulf Region; Reserve side, growth is provided personnel on-board and ashore in difficult to assess, as support of Royal Navy ships on operations at sea, increases in unit strengths including HMS Queen Elizabeth II; and have taken have been announced part in important maritime exercises with NATO which affect 2 R IRISH, 152 and our other allies. (NI) Regt RLC and 253 (NI) Med Regt, and there has • 2 R IRISH have continued with their Defence been an additional layer of Engagement commitments and during the year uncertainty with other Army have visited Belarus, Moldova and Romania. In Reserve units whose orbats addition they have achieved acclaim on the have been reviewed. Army 8 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 9 EMPLOYERS CADETS Employer Support Cadet strength has been both satisfying and schools with opportunities available for more to join JSP 766: the Defence challenging; the increase of 4% for the Army Cadet once new direction is issued in Jan 2019. Current Directive on Employer Force has been the result of much hard work by both strengths are 1100 cadets in 7 schools supported by Support (ES) Part 1, battalions and the digital media space engagement 42 adult volunteers, with three new schools yet to remains extant and conducted by the battalions and the RFCA NI begin parading from Easter to Sep 2019. The CCF is set continues to provide a communications team. The recent visit by the ‘Grass for a boom year and has already seen an increase in framework for direction Roots’ programme from HQ Regional Command (RC) achievements and opportunities afforded to those and guidance on the delivery of employer support at a in the effort to engage with and assist in the delivery of and ACFA identified much of what NI are doing in cadets already in the various sections within CCF. local level. the MOD’s EE strategy, to ensure that the MOD maintains sound relations with employers and to ensure that terms of ACF recruiting to be best practice. Driving Licence Scheme Employer Engagement (EE) Strategy and (EE) defence personnel benefit from this enhanced Directive(s) relationship. The REEG has been meeting regularly There is ample evidence of a sustained and viable There have been a total of 74 cadets (primarily ACF The Defence Personnel EE Strategy (DPEES) and Defence chaired by Mr T Salmon OBE and continues to provide a increase in interest for the ACF and numbers are cadets) that have benefitted from the gaining of a Personnel EE Directive (DPEED) were reviewed and forum for discussion and feedback on the issues which increasing regularly with applications now coming driving licence funded by RFCA NI. The addition of this amended in 2018. affect employers who employ reservists in NI and throughout the year, rather than the previous trend of life-changing (in many respects) addition to an already offering guidance and feedback to policy makers. REEG September and January. There have been a number very sound list of a cadets’ qualifications will give them Defence Relationship Management (DRM) membership has recently been renewed and of articles highlighting the activities of the ACF a boost in the jobs market, but will also go some way DRM remains the single point of contact linking rejuvenated and now incorporates functional areas as engaging in visits to Poland towards providing a degree of independence for those employers with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). DRM well as defence advocates. and Auschwitz, achieving heading to university and the alleviation of a large exists to offer advice and support on employing driving test passes and also training bill for those that will seek a career in the members of the armed forces community, and enables The Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) Advocates community and Armed Forces already armed with a driving licence. It is organisations to develop a mutually beneficial working The six HSCTs’ ‘Armed Forces/ Defence Champions’ also a welcome initiative for parents who have been continue to advocate and disseminate information on Remembrance Day relationship with the MOD through a long term relieved of this significant financial burden. approach to relationship management. behalf of defence. commemorations. Current ACF numbers stand at 1703 Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Mobilisation cadets and 342 adult Visits and Trips RF&C hold the policy lead for the ERS. DRM are the The tempo of mobilisation remains low. However, volunteers, which is an The cadets have once again had the opportunity to delivery arm at the national level and Regional Employer reservists from all three services continue to be increase of 4% from 2017. travel in 2018, with cadets visiting the battlefields of Engagement Directors (REEDs) and Regional Point of mobilised across the globe. These numbers follow two Northern France and Belgium through the Armistice successful annual camps in Case Work Strensall Camp in York and Due to the decrease in Altcar Camp in Liverpool mobilisations the during the summer of 2018. caseload remains light. SO1 Army Engagement and the REED have The NI Wing Air Training continued to brief all Corps (ATC) has experienced Army Reserve units on a slight upturn in its EE and ES available via recruitment to 429 cadets a series of unit and (from 408), with some subunit ‘roadshows’. particular success in (The REED has uniformed Adult Volunteers. Contact (RPOC) deliver regionally, but in line replicated for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.) A new command team is now in place and the with and supporting the national policy intent. A NI Association is in discussions on how to develop a directive on the delivery of the ERS has been issued, it is Employer Notification (EN) recruiting strategy and widen the opportunities for hoped that 2019 will see the directive put into action. Although NI personnel still remain exempt from young people within the ATC. compulsory EN, wherever possible reservists are encouraged to ‘opt in’ to EN. Consequently with the Regional Employer Engagement Board (REEB) The Sea Cadets in Northern Ireland have had a The DPEED directive states that tri-service REEBs are to consent of the individual reservist, employers are be established regionally across the UK. However, in NI notified, in line with JSP 766. Year on year there is a slight moderately successful year. The aspiration for a new the REEB is subsumed into the Engagement Steering growth on the number of reservists ‘opting’ in to EN. unit in has proved to be more difficult than Group (ESG) chaired by Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade. first envisaged, however focus has been to ensure that Naval Regional Command, Scotland and Northern (EE) Activities the provision to the established units remains strong Ireland (NRCSNI) and Air Officer NI (AONI) represent the Many tri service EE functions have been organised to and to develop a strong foundation to build upon. The RN and RAF respectively; CE RFCA NI represents the cover both public sector and private businesses efforts of the adults and cadets have led to a wide 100 tour to the Somme. A ski trip to Bosnia saw a RFCA NI and the REED represents DRM. One of the employing Reserve Forces. Events have included the range of sporting, rowing and sailing activities which group of cadets develop the ability to ski and achieve purposes of the ESG is to provide direction and priorities Defence Medical Services Royal Gun Salute at have all culminated in medals and national foundation level skiing proficiency; and in August a for EE across NI. Clotworthy House, Antrim; strategy & leadership days; recognition of the talents of young people in Northern group of adults and cadets went on a three city tour visits to UK exercises; capability demonstrations; aircraft Ireland. of Poland to Gdansk, Warsaw and Krakow, the latter Regional Employer Engagement Group (REEG) visits; receptions; dinners; sponsorship at conferences; culminating in a very moving and informative visit to and support to ships visits. The REEG continues to act as a regional force multiplier The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) has now risen to 11 Auschwitz/Buchenwald concentration camps. 10 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 11 The third year of the Cadet Expansion programme SCHOOL has witnessed the addition of yet another three CADET schools, bringing the total to 11 in Northern Ireland. The new schools are Priory Integrated College EXPANSION in Holywood, Larne High School and Laurelhill PROGRAMME Community College in Lisburn. These three schools follow in the footsteps of High School, (CEP) Lisnagarvey and Bloomfield Collegiate who joined last year. The onus is now on supporting the new schools to establish themselves and to recruit sufficient staff and supporters (as well as cadets) to ensure their success.

These new schools bring the CEP scheme to a close in terms of recruitment; the new schools are set to begin parading by September of 2019 with Priory College possibly starting as early as Easter.

The Schools Cadet Expansion Officer (SCEO) within RFCA NI will work in collaboration with 38 (Irish) Activities Brigade Cadet Training Team to provide a support A summary of cadet activity can be found at the back network to the new staff and cadets over the course of this report, but a fraction of the highlights from of the next 5 years to develop their ability to operate this year were: as an independent Combined Cadet Force.

• The Lord Dannatt Round Britain challenge saw a It is regretted that a number of schools that would number of cadets embark upon a sailing exercise have liked to have participated in the CEP as either a around and 5 NI cadets had the Naval or an Air section were declined due to a lack of opportunity to participate in a once in a lifetime ability to support more sections in Northern Ireland opportunity on board the sailing ship on a 10-day by the RAF and RN. leg of the voyage. • The NI District Sea Cadets were represented at PATHWAY summer delivering physical National Competitions by a total of 226 cadets activity, Open College – the highest number in 6 years – who took part ADVENTURE Network (OCN) qualifications, in Football, Drill, Kayaking, Rowing and Sailing. a mini-medics qualification ACTIVITIES for primary school children and an OCN qualification • The NI ACF Girls’ hockey team won the National Pathway Adventure Activities, in youth work for 20 peer ACF Hockey Competition for the 7th year in a row. RFCA NI’s youth engagement mentor youth leaders. This programme, has continued was delivered in partnership • A team of Air Cadets from squadrons across to grow and deliver more with four other principal Northern Ireland took part in the Boeing than 253 events during 2018 organisations: Children in Centennial Wings Project to build an ultralight to a total of 58,887 people. This has been the busiest Northern Ireland (CiNI), aircraft. After two years of hard work the aircraft year to date for the group and with a permanent staff the Children and Young was completed and was displayed at the Royal now comprising only 4 people and a volunteer base People’s Social Partnership International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July. of 63 staff, they have been extremely busy throughout (CYPSP), The Public Health the year. • Cadet Corporal Rebecca Pinkerton from Royal Agency (PHA) and YMCA in . School Armagh CCF took part in the international One of the more significant events was the delivery Never Such Innocence competition, designed to to 800 cadets from Durham ACF (500) and Gloucester commemorate the First World War through art ACF (300) who, for the first time, held their Annual ACF and poetry. Rebecca was placed 3rd out of over Camp at Ballykinler in August, following the success of 7,000 entries for her poem and she was presented Cleveland in 2017. Such was the impact that Yorkshire with her award in The Guards’ Chapel, Wellington and Humberside and Essex Senior Cadets are now Barracks, London. holding their Annual ACF camps in July and August of 2019 (a total of almost 600 CFAVs and cadets).

On a more local front, the Craigavon and Limavady areas saw the continued delivery of an activity programme over a period of 2 months throughout the 12 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 13 Relations with Local Authorities Veterans CIVIL ENGAGEMENT Each of the eleven local authorities has an appointed The NI Veterans’ Support Office (VSO) Development Community Engagement elected councillor as its representative to the Manager (now termed Covenant Programme Delivery of Community Engagement (CE) remains Association’s membership and these representatives Manager) has been in post since April 18. Since then challenging in Northern Ireland, however, working also act as a “veterans’ champion” (VC) within their there has been considerable progress in making closely with 38 (Irish) Brigade and the regional RAF council area. This requires them to act as a conduit the NI VSO the single point of contact for Armed and Royal Navy representatives, good progress has to the MOD and, more specifically to the Veterans’ Forces Covenant reporting and for co-ordination been made on the of the new Veterans’ Strategy in Northern Ireland coherent delivery of and this is now recognised at MoD level and within activities. local government, by the statutory bodies and the voluntary and charitable sector. The NI VSO takes The regional Armed strategic direction from The Confederation of Service Forces Day event, Charities, Cobseo, although bespoke solutions and this year run by structures are developed and operate for veterans Causeway Coast in NI, co-ordinated, where appropriate, through the and Glens Borough NI Veterans’ Support Committee (NIVSC) which is Council, was a great facilitated by RFCA and the NI VSO. success, thanks to a The focus of the first six months has been huge amount of effort by relationship building with the large number of the Council, all 3 services, stakeholders in the network and consolidating the guidance from RFCA and to an increased tenure to the cadet organisations and NI VSO as the single point of contact for veterans’ enable continuity of activity. the veterans’ associations. matters. This networking has seen an increase in Coleraine proved to be both the number of individual cases (with 14 cases In close conjunction with the newly formed RFCA a fantastic venue, with addressed in the first 6-month reporting period) and Veterans’ Sub-Committee, the next six months will activities taking place in in the number of applications to the Armed Forces focus on a PR campaign with a website currently the town centre and along Covenant Trust Fund (with 19 applications made in under development. As well as information and the river. The Band of Her the four funding rounds this year). At the time of guidance for local veterans, the website will contain Majesty’s Royal Marines writing, the success rate is 86% with the board for the an extensive directory of local services for veterans, Scotland entertained the last round still to sit. There has also been increased not currently readily available elsewhere. It will be crowds throughout the afternoon and gave an engagement with the Veterans’ Champions (VCs) linked to the national Veterans’ Gateway portal and to impressive performance to bring the day to a close. Support Office (VSO NI) for any veterans’ issues that in each of the 11 council areas, with a successful the findings of the NI Veterans Health and Wellbeing arise within their council area. Although we continue training event held at Stormont at the end of Study being carried out by a team at the University of The decision was made not to host a RFCA NI to roll out briefing seminars to our VCs, the main October. As a result, the VCs are receptive to closer Ulster. engagement dinner this year, due to the number of challenge at the moment is ensuring that their role is other key events taking place in the Province, such widely advertised so that veterans are aware of who as the Royal Irish Regiment Colours Parade and the they can turn to for advice. RAF100 commemoration events. The aspiration is to hold an engagement event in late 2019. RFCA NI generally has a good relationship with the local authorities and acts as the initial point of Veterans’ Gateway VETERAN’S SUPPORT OFFICE Solutions contact for any MOD (NI VSO) • NI Delivery bodies • National delivery bodies issues that may arise. • Capture individual cases • Charities & Aftercare • Build relations with delivery bodies Service (via NIVSC) • Train Veterans’ Champions (VCs) Direct Approaches • Encourage/advise bids for AFC from Veterans

Other Stakeholders Northern Ireland • HQ 38 (Irish) Brigade 11x Veterans’ • Armed Forces Liaison Veterans’ Support Champions Forum (AFLF) Committee • NIO (VCs) • Covenant Reference (NIVSC) Group (CRG) • Veterans UK)

14 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 15 Project Revive MARKETING AND ESTATES The successful completion of Project Revive in COMMUNICATIONS Infrastructure Prioritisation and Funding 2018/19 has provided increased structure to the With effect from 1 April 2018, the majority of various estates outputs which aim to provide a The RFCA NI website (www.reservesandcadetsni.org. infrastructure expenditure has been delegated to Top common user experience across all 13 RFCAs. With uk) allows members to keep up to date with reserve Level Budgets (TLBs) to give them the financial levers upgrades to our Management Information System and cadet news and future events, as do the quarterly to balance levels of investment in the estate with the our TLBs and DIO now receive a monthly dashboard e-newsletters and the social media pages. needs of and risks to military outputs and capabilities. showing compliance, maintenance and condition data: The RFCA NI core social media platforms (website, Within Army TLB, Director Basing and Infrastructure Facebook and Twitter) have seen continued growth in (D B&I) has overall functional responsibility for Repair response* 2018, as illustrated by the Reach figures summarised infrastructure with Regional Command (RC) below. In addition to these networks, RFCA NI now responsible for identifying, collating and submitting also has a presence on Instagram and LinkedIn. the annual Firm Base (Minor Works) infrastructure 92% 96% 96% 93% 99% Core Social Media Analytics requirement for prioritisation, senior stakeholder 3 approval and final Army endorsement. Within the *Percentage of tasks successfully actioned within Army’s overall infrastructure requirement, the Firm timeframe, from 1 April ’18 – 31 December ’18. 5 Base (Minor Works) element is defined as all Capital (CDEL) Change and Sustain works valued <£3.9M per work package, and Resource (RDEL) Safe and Statutory Condition Asset is Asset is non Asset is non Total non 15 Legal, Local Infrastructure Improvement Fund, Reactive maintenance and Maintain backlog work compliant compliant but compliant but compliant eople Reached eople corrective action is plan of action has and no action 1 requirements. being undertaken been identified planned Building 5 The ‘ABC20’ infrastructure requirement is currently Standards 181 1 1 0 under development through proactive Army, Alarms/Detection 183 0 0 0 ebsite Views Facebook Twitter Total Reach Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and RFCA Plant 183 0 0 0 Reach Impressions engagement at all levels; spanning every unit, site Food Safety 183 0 0 0 Other H&S 183 0 0 0 1 5189 18499 3988 995 and region, nationally and overseas to ensure the totality of the Firm Base infrastructure requirement, Statutory/ Mandatory Inspections & Tests 18 354 199 899 88 Regular, Training, Reserve and Cadet is captured and Out of the 4,419 inspections due for completion prioritised, to fully inform Army ABC20 infrastructure over the 6 months 1 Apr-30 Nov 2018, only one was options. The tri-cadet digital marketing campaign has been missed. carried out in-house this year, rather than being RFCAs are again participating in the ‘Balance of contracted out to an agency, as a cost saving measure. Investment’ (BoI) workshops to ensure Reserve and It is still proving very successful with the number of Cadet infrastructure priorities are appropriately enquiries matching the 300 received in 2017. This is consolidated within ABC20. enhanced by the RFCA NI social media presence and Field Hospital for their Study Day and their leadership local print media press releases. days; HMS Hibernia for the visit by the Senior Royal Replacement of Regional Prime Contracts Navy Chaplain; and Defence Medical Services for the With the Next Generation Estate Contract (NGEC) In September 2018, funding was received from the Royal Gun Salute at Antrim Castle Gardens. If any unit Regional Prime contracts approaching a break clause ACFA to run an ACF marketing campaign, aimed would like any PR/media support in 2019, the Comms in 2020, DIO are in the midst of collaborating with at attracting new cadets and adult volunteers. The Team will be very happy to assist. the Crown Commercial Service to develop a pan- funds paid for local newspaper advertising which government Facilities Management framework to was supported by the ongoing digital campaign and include; Hard Facilities Management (FM), Soft FM, a RFCA NI social media campaign. Funding was also Training Estate Management and Housing Estate received for some new ACF banners and pop-up Management. stands, to further assist promotion of the organisation. The revised programme, known as Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS), will be released in two In December, funding was agreed for a further local phases: newspaper campaign, to focus purely on attracting adult volunteers; this will go ahead in January, again - Phase 1: Replacing the current NGEC contracts / supported by a social media campaign. Hard FM requirements Video and photographic support has been provided to - Phase 2: Replacing the current Hestia contracts / several of the local reserve units, including 157 Div Sp Soft FM requirements Coy 102 Bn REME for their Bradwell Bowl competition and the Scouts Mechanics Badge Day; 204 (North Irish)

16 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 17 18 sponsor driving lessons.sponsor driving notably thebattlefield tours andthescheme to to cadetactivities, most allowed ongoingsupport fromThe generationofRGI Pathways has activities increase thisFYand alsorunoninto the19/20year. Estate. The expenditure againstthisproject will this year on behalfofDIO, withintheDefence Regular some priorities. The £4MCapital BuildProject started andwemanageable butnotextravagant have reset were tightandwell costed. Funding for theyear is Funding wasreceived againstcontrol totals which The forecast thisFYisfor expenditure of£7.64M FINANCE RFCANI Find usonsocialmedia: www.reservesandcadetsni.org.uk To subscribe, visitourwebsite at: andcadets. withreserves Ireland you updated onwhatishappeninginNorthern isissuedquarterly, whichwillkeep Our e-newsletter STAY UP TO DATE engagement opportunities. and cadetsby to usingyour create network local Share andenthusiasmfor your reserves knowledge SUPPORT US RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report (£7.64M) Consolidated Expenditure Forecast FY18/19 Estates capitalprojects £4,126,549 minor projects £603,000 Estates maintenance & Vehicle £172,000 hiring contract £1,439,983 (Soft FM)(Soft £927,848 Staff Costs Infrastructure Infrastructure £47,176 support Recruiting IT &communications reserves & cadets reserves Administration Transport & movement Support to Support £295,000 £149,851 £68,833 £49,830

UNIT SUMMARIES

502 (ULSTER)SQUADRON ROYAL AUXILIARY (RAUXAF) AIRFORCE OFFICER QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY TRAINING CORPS IRISHHORSE)SQUADRON,B (NORTH IRISH ANDNORTH THE SCOTTISH YEOMANRY COMPANY,157 DIVISIONALSUPPORT 102BATTALION REME 62 MILITARY INTELLIGENCECOMPANY, 6MIBATTALION ARMY IRELAND) TRAINING UNIT(NORTHERN 206 (ULSTER)BATTERY, 105REGIMENTROYAL ARTILLERY IRISH HORSE)SIGNALSQUADRON,40 (NORTH 32SIGNALREGIMENT 591 (AA) FIELDSQUADRON, 71ENGINEER REGIMENT IRISH) MEDICALREGIMENT 253 (NORTH 204 (NI)FIELDHOSPITAL IRISH) REGIMENTROYAL152 (NORTH LOGISTIC CORPS THE BANDOF THE ROYAL IRISHREGIMENT 2ND BATTALION THE ROYAL IRISHREGIMENT(2RIRISH) ROYAL BELFAST MARINES RESERVES DETACHMENT HMS HIBERNIA RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 19 Slalom race. In recognition of the training received students and improve HMS and the hard work put in by HMS Hibernia the team their command, HIBERNIA were consequently awarded the Joint Service Ski management and Foundation Level One award. leadership skills. One Background of the most popular HMS Hibernia, the Slightly less picturesque, but equally hard fought stances took place Royal Naval Reserve was the annual Royal Navy Reserve Football in the bubble gym, Unit based in Thiepval Championship, in which HMS Hibernia has a well where the Royal Barracks, Lisburn earnt reputation for winning. Marines set up an seamanship and boat-handling skills as well as has continued to evolve to meet both enduring This year the competition exciting ‘physical stance’ to teach the pupils how ceremonial drill and weapon handling. They worked and new requirements in a growing Royal Navy. was held over two days in to use the exercise equipment and maximise their hard all summer to complete their professional The wide employment of Royal Navy Reserve HMS Eaglet, the Royal Navy exercising whilst laying the foundations for those UNIT SUMMARIES training, and were clearly kept busy with long days UNIT SUMMARIES (RNR) personnel has seen the roles and duties they Reserve Unit in Liverpool, interested in joining. A lesson in the computerised and regular ‘Period Zero’ physical training which undertake increase, while the ongoing challenges where the various Reserve Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT), live firing helped them to build on their existing physical and pace of current operations both nationally and Units gathered to socialise range, which was facilitated by Hibernia personnel, fitness. The two newly commissioned HMS Hibernia globally will ensure that the RNR will continue to be and compete. The team was also used to teach technique and accuracy Officers alongside Officers from other Reserve Units a key component of the United Kingdom’s Defence from HMS Hibernia travelled in the military. This was the first time for many in at BRNC received a fly by at the Passing out Parade capability. to the tournament facing attendance to try out the equipment and the staff and were inspected by Commodore Martin Quinn five matches against teams ADC, Commander Maritime Reserves. The ceremony The contribution of HMS from other Reserve units. was completed by the traditional ceremony of Hibernia personnel amply Despite a huge effort and several close matches HMS marching off the parade square and up the famous demonstrates the role Hibernia could not quite repeat previous endeavours Britannia ramps for a formal march past and salute and contribution of Royal and HMS Cambria won the competition with HMS of the College Commander. A proud moment for all Navy Reserve to global Hibernia finishing a close second. A measure of Royal Navy Officers. military operations. During pride was retained as AB Robinson of HMS Hibernia

2018, personnel from HMS won the best female player award and the fitness Sports and Adventurous Training Hibernia have: mobilised and training undertaken was beneficial both to The world-famous ski resort of Tignes in France to the United Kingdom individuals and in building teamwork. played host to Units of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines Maritime Component and Royal Navy Reserve who met together for the annual Royal Navy Ski Championships. These The success of teamwork, ski championships form one part of many of the individual fitness and Command in the Gulf Adventurous Training opportunities offered to desire to win continued as Region; provided members of the Royal Navy Reserves. new sports opportunities personnel on-board arrived in HMS Hibernia. and ashore in support The RN Ski Championship invites new skiers, and Sub Evie Dornan operations of Royal those with more experience, to enjoy the spirit of proved this when she Navy ships at sea; competition as well as taking time to improve their successfully tried out for and in important skills on the slopes. The aim of the fortnight is not and made the Royal Navy maritime exercises just skiing, but encompasses leadership, improving Netball ‘first’ Team, a first with NATO and our personal skills, gaining for Hibernia. The Royal other allies. During Adventurous Training Navy Netball Team is drawn the course of the provided an insight into the role of a Royal Marine. experience, teamwork and from various branches and year, we have also seen RNR personnel taking the socialising together. These specialisations within the Royal Navy and includes opportunity to join the regular service. This included The port of Bangor enjoyed a number of visits qualities were witnessed in Reserve personnel. The training and playing takes former HMS Hibernia Reservist Able Rate ‘Monty” from the Royal Navy’s P2000s, supported by abundance as a valuable place across the UK and also includes a two week Montgomery who rose to the challenge when he HMS Hibernia and the Belfast AFCO. These ‘Fast week’s skiing course training camp. With a strong team built on Royal joined the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth Training Boats’ support the Fleet around the UK and allowed individuals’ ability Navy ethos, the netball team have proven highly and subsequently transferred to the Logistics European waters in a range of roles where their to improve and was an capable and successful and hope to beat the other Specialisation as a Chef, this despite his previous manoeuvrability and size allow them to ‘fly the essential precursor for the services and teams they face during the season. service being as a Seamanship specialist. No doubt flag’ in ports that larger Royal Navy vessels cannot final day in which the Royal visiting several ports in North America helped his reach. These vessels also provide potential officers Navy Ski Championships Recruitment and Engagement decision! wishing to join the Reserves and Regulars with the were held. The team from The annual ‘Meet the Marines’ recruitment event this opportunity to understand how ships operate. HMS Hibernia fought hard year took place under difficult weather conditions. Closer to home, the 2018 Accelerated Officer in their various events Schools and colleges from the greater Belfast Area Programme (AOP), at Britannia Royal Navy College Visits which culminated in the took part in a variety of activities led by the Royal (BRNC), enabled two new officers to join HMS During the summer, the Venerable Ian Wheatley, top award for the Unit Marine Commando Recruitment Team and Royal Hibernia’s ever-growing Wardroom, at the beginning the retiring Chaplain of the Fleet (COTF) paid tribute being won by Midshipman Naval Reservists from HMS Hibernia and Belfast of September. The Officer Cadets (OCs) spent to HMS Hibernia when he agreed to make the unit Evie Dornan who finished Armed Forces Recruiting Organisation (AFCO). The a challenging 8 weeks in BRNC learning basic one of his final formal engagements prior to retiring runner up in the Beginners’ available stances were designed to challenge the 20 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 21 UNIT SUMMARIES 22 remains a key role of the Royal Navy Reserve. roleremains Reserve. oftheRoyal Navy akey The and theRoyal Navy, operations theneedto support With majorchallengesaheadfor theUnited Kingdom 2019to beanotherbusyyear. expects HMS Hibernia ForwardLooking Service. representatives attheregional Remembrance to provide therequired ceremonial for the Queen’s toCenotaph moving prior to StAnne’s Cathedral elementofthe the Navy GuardTri-Service atthe members ofHMSHibernia’s Ship’s Company formed Hall.was heldatthecenotaphBelfastCity Twelve Ireland’sNorthern ceremony Remembrance inBelfast city. joiningaparadethrough the to HMSHibernia prior laidthewreath atLisburn’sHMS Hibernia cenotaph Lisburn War Memorial. of The Commanding Officer forcesarmed andothercivicdignitaries gathered at & Castlereagh Council, City church representatives, Legion, RoyalBritish alongside theLisburn Lisburn paraded 30membersfrom Lisburn, HMSHibernia In Ship’s Company. by membersofHMSHibernia’s supported Enniskillen, Quinnrepresented in the Royal Navy Martin (CMR), Commodore Reserves Commander Maritime O’er” traditionallyplayed theday’s after battle. The dawn withpipersplaying lament theScottish “Battle’s Day Remembrance events beganat United Kingdom, Ireland, aswiththerest ofthe This year inNorthern World War in1918. inthe thecessationofconflict toIreland mark First ceremoniesRemembrance heldacross Northern attended thirteen from HMSHibernia, the majority On Sunday 11thNovember, personnel, 75RoyalNavy Armistice 100 home andabroad. bothat Reservists denominations couldsupport meet withchurch leadersto discusshow thevarious theCOTF to Ireland of Northern hadtheopportunity thecourseofhiswhistlestop touraddition, during for Ireland almost90years. In inNorthern Reserve Light Cruiserthatplayed hostto theRoyal Navy’s ashisguide, HMS CarolineOfficer the World WarI and,Barracks withHMSHibernia’s Commanding took in timeto visitelementsof38Brigade Thiepval from theRoyal Navy. ofhisvisittheCOTF As part RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report beyond. is ready andableto meetthechallengesof2019and trained Ship’s Company itisclearthatHMSHibernia planning. Therefore, withawell-motivated andwell- andlongterm continue to beavitalelementofshort challenges to recruit, trainandretain personnelwill the increase innumbers, the detachmentshould across thewater.alongside our counterparts With relentlessly,activity allowing usto compete and excel rope climbs,work, regains andarduous physical evening at7pminPalace gym Barracks, conducting The detachmentcontinuesto trainona Wednesday Training Nights face ofadversity. inthe cheerfulness Ethos, including on theCommando and shiningalight night inasnow-hole Unit, spendinga to deploy withthe isexpected from UTV 2019. Paul Clarke deployment inMarch to ourlatest Norway Training inAustria inpreparation andlookforward ranks from thedetachmenthave Ski conducted Cold conduct Weather Warfare Training. Several Commando Brigade’s to deployment to Norway has beenheavily involved inExHAIRSPRING,3 training,Continuing RMRBelfast ourcontingency Norway Ireland. pool inNorthern in Command,bringing somefull-timeOfficer regular Captain Shephard hasjoinedthedetachmentas New OC-Captain Shephard Sam GCRM Sea. andRed Mohave Desert Norway, andtheLead Commando Group (LCG) inthe around theArabian Gulf, Cold Weather Training in deploying onShipsForce Protection Tasks (SFPT) (RMR)inBelfast,withnumerous ranks Reserves for This hasbeenabusyperiod theRoyal Marines DETACHMENT BELFAST RESERVES MARINES ROYAL ready to exploitthetalent goodplaceandstands very in all, thedetachmentisina invest ininfrastructure. All RFCA for to theDetachment funding beingprovided by 2019and inMay starting 3 ranksperyear to over 20 recruiting increasing from some instantresults, with Ireland. Already, hehas seen back toexperience Northern Royal Marines Commando,Royal Marines asaReservist. the world’s mostelite organisations andbecominga there isahugeamountto gainfrom joiningoneof changing mind-settowards andemployment, work better, andtheRMRistestament to that. With a have never been for Reservists The opportunities Opportunity , KuwaitandQatar. , staff deployments and Bahrain;various to Training Somalia Teams Nigeria, inAfrica, (STTTs) BLACK ALLIGATOR in29Palms, California; Short Term the Far-East; Lead Commando Group (LCG) onEx andon-board Sea the Red HMSQueenElizabethin to helpwithShipsForce Protection in Teams (SFPT) already ahugenumber ofrequests for personnel be mobilisedin2019. This isgreat news. There are todramatically increased thenumberofRMRRanks substantially,its reliance andhas onReservists to increase islooking 3 Commando Brigade Mobilisation Displays, pleasedogetintouch. CloseCombat andUnarmed including Royal Marine towould seemore like ‘bootnecks’ attheirevents, increase ourpresence atall. For thoseoutthere who investing heavily inthoseareas, andwillbeaimingto the province. forward, Looking we hopeto continue across Schools andvarious Services Remembrance Day, PortrushAirshow, Festival, BelfastMaritime Forces includingArmed Ireland across Northern hascontinuedatpace,Recruiting attending events Recruiting UK. the mostofsomebesttrainingestate inthe Ireland, making soon beableto trainwithinNorthern RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 23

UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES 24 the Divisional OperationalShootingCompetition within2RIRISH.Animpressive 2ndplaceat skill core remains akey Shooting andMarksmanship ofmove,basic skills fight,live andcommunicate. Syllabus” must master the where the Infantryman challenging andfocussed onthe First“Soldier line Infanteers, our traininghasbeendemanding, asfrontmight expect, training.Arm As you ofSpecialto period Training Centre for a and to Magilligan on ExLIONSTAR deploy to and hasseenus on “Back to Basics” this year hasbeen The trainingfocus Training Ireland. footprint across Northern the recruitment andexpansionoftheBattalion’s operations, continuewithdemandingtraining, and strong asever. Ourfocus for 2019issupporting andvolunteer remainscommitment to serve as to gofrom strength to strength andthedesire and arduous terrain. some very The Battalion continues were tested bothphysically andmentallyover challenging Adventurous Training, where oursoldiers we thetraininganddrill managedsome between In only comesaround, 25years. onaverage, onceevery momentousextremely occasionthat andhistoric by ourColonel-in-Chief, HRH of The Duke York. An of 2018however, wasthePresentation ofColours visited Belarus, andRomania. Moldova The highlight theyearEngagement commitmentsandduring competitions. We have continuedwithourDefence andshooting skills with successesinbothmilitary we have seenthishard anddedicationpay work off for 2RIRISH.Ourfocus hasbeenontrainingand year busyandvaried 2018 hasbeenanextremely Introduction IRISH REGIMENT(2RIRISH) 2ND BATTALION THE ROYAL RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report Cambrian Patrol.Cambrian was well rewarded withthemedalhaulatExercise repaid andthesignificance ofourengagement 2019 andbeyond. The fruitsofourlabourwere for DEactivities already inplaceandplanfurther to continueandenhancethestrong relationships conductedExecutive regional liaisonvisits Officer and additionto thistheCommanding Officer In Embassies for the Queen’s celebrations. Birthday andRomanian at eachoftheBelarussian,Moldovan once againstole theshow andwowed thecrowds training inaustere June, conditions. ourmusicians In demandinglow level conduct the Army Reserve, Army, howtraining to theBritish learn particularly and hosted aBelarusiandelegationto visitour Engagement partners. Whilst inCyprus, we invited grown ourstrategic relationships withourDefence Throughout theyear we have enhancedand Defence Engagement the competition. was ittheBelarusianteam’s firsttimeentering year. What wasmostimpressive aboutthisaccolade Medal, ofwhichonly11goldswere awarded this 2 RIRISHteams bothscoopingtheprestigious Gold withBelarusandthe Medal; attainedaSilver and Ukraine staggering. Bosnia,Ireland results for allinvolved were andUkraine. Moldova The Belarus, Bosnia,Ireland, teamsinternational from for trainingandhosting5 but wasalsoresponsible not onlyentered ateam commitment, 2RIRISH Defence Engagement Wales. ofourwider As part patrol competition whichhappensannuallyin challenged themselves ontheworld’s toughest Army,British armies, alongwith37international This year more than1000soldiersfrom the Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2018 year. aheadto next foundation looking Competition hasgiven atBisley usanexcellent OperationalShooting and a3rd intheArmy Reserve Education andAgricultural Sectors. These events Personal withinthe Activities Development personnel have delivered ofIndividual aseries additionto allourrecruitingIn activities, 2RIRISH backdrop ofever reducing unemployment figures. against adifficult recruitingperiod, setagainsta and soldiers. This year hasseenreasonable success for prospectiveemployment officers opportunities to Ireland highlightArmy Reserve in Northern educationestablishments higherandfurther various Recruiting Team have visited andengagedwith potential candidates ourway. ofthe Members intelligent useofsocialmedia,continueto attract in thepubliceye. byThese the events, supported the province, theCaubeen wasaconstant ensuring attended several high-profileevents public across Throughout theyear theBattalionRecruiting Team Recruitment absolutely firstclass. ofallthoseonparadewas andbearing turnout withthetradition,standardin keeping ofdrill, fashion,and Colonel-in-Chief. trueRoyal Irish In andthenpresented by our Ranger; ex Royal Irish consecrated by theChaplainGeneral, himselfan the finaltime, theNew Colours were unveiled, our ranks. hadmarched After they offparade for would betrooped Rangers through the Royal Irish would thenameof bethe lasttimecoloursbearing the antecedent Regiments, andfamiliestogether. It members, veteransthat brought from serving all Ireland. muchaRegimental affair The day wasvery had beendonefor bothBattalionsinNorthern occasion asitwasthefirsttimeajointpresentation wasahugelymemorable IRISH and2RIRISH.It Queen’snew andRegimental Colours to both1R Colonel-in-Chief, HRH of The Duke York presented & the iconicHarland Wolf cranesasabackdrop, the On 22ndSeptember, onthe Titanic Slipway, with Presentation ofColours 2018 exemplary service. service. exemplary recognise and determination theirhard work, proud oftheindividualsinvolved andtheiraccolades a commission. The entire Battalionisextremely ashewasthensuccessfulinbeinggranted service Medal, afittingend to hisnon-commissioned wasawarded Service Sergeant Major theMeritorious Army. addition,theoutgoingReserve Regimental In commitment anddedicationto and theRegular Queen’s forVolunteer Medal 40years of Reserves anda Charities raising for amultitudeofService Commendation Staff’s General for tireless fund events;delivering international aChiefofthe for and withintheCommunity outstandingwork in theQueen’s HonoursList.AnMBE Birthday to personnelrecognised have three ofourserving This year 2RIRISH have enough beenfortunate Honours command taskequipment. Dismounted CloseCombat Trainer andvarious and includedteam-building events utilisingthe were heldineitherPalace or Thiepval Barracks, RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 25

UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES 26 events across theProvince. ABeatingRetreat was inanumberof significant year theBand took part of Rangers. The RoyalIrish To commemorate this oftheformationThis year saw the50thanniversary andRAFAldergrove.Barracks, Ballykinler Province, includingin Thiepval Barracks, Palace numerous retreats across andmessfunctions the for aswell asproviding concerts, musicalsupport atanumberoffundraising (ABF) by performing theArmy Benevolent Fundcontinued to support Out Parades for recruits. new addition,theband In days,Recruitment aswell asnumerous Passing events,various Forces includingArmed Days, Army both Regiment and The Royal Irish The Army at theyearDuring thebandhascontinuedto promote high profileevents. recruitment drives aswell ascompletinganumberof Province, ceremonial duties, supporting performing acrosscontinued to provide the musicalsupport per week. Throughout theyear thebandhas completes upto three orfour engagements The bandrehearses onlyonceaweek andoften from theirfamilies. members oftheband, aswell ascontinuedsupport huge level ofdedicationandcommitmentfrom the of engagementsthroughout theyear, shows a music, fulfillingasignificant number Hall andmilitary a few). to So beheldinsuchhighregard by Kneller managersandbankofficials tonamebut transport jobs (includingteachers, engineers, civil servants, all ofwhomhave demanding, fulltimecivilian PSI, thebandconsistsentirely ofArmy Reservists, notableisthatwiththeexception ofone particularly an exceptionally highstandard. this What makes musiccircles, to consistently performing military highregard throughoutthe bandisheldinvery Kinnegar, Co Down, Band. Basedin Regimental for The be anotherbusyyear 2018 hasproved to REGIMENT ROYAL IRISH OF THE THE BAND RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report to Islandbridge, Dublin,playing alongside The 2 July,Regiment Association. In theBandtravelled inClogherfor and church service The Ulster Defence Benevolent Fund,The RoyalIrish as well asaparade inaidof inNewtownstewart has includedaconcert associations. military various ThisIreland, supporting Throughout theyear theBandhave travelled across were requiredwhiskies to helpwiththethawing out. parades Ihave ever completed –several warm presented to thetroops, thiswasoneofthecoldest the snow beginning to fallastheShamrock was wind chilloflower thanminussixdegrees, andwith we have hadthisyear, itissafe to say thatwitha those ofyou whoremember therathercoldwinter 1st BattalionPipes andDrumsfor the ceremony. For Patrick’s atClive Barracks, joiningwith Day Service March, theBandtravelledIn to Ternhill for theSt of anniversary The Rangers. 400 veterans andagaincommemorated the50th in Palace Barracks, whichwasattended by over Sir Roger. The following day wasOldSoldiers’ Day Rangers,”event remembering theRoyal Irish said Retreat alive andIwasproud to beinvolved inthis traditionofBeating thewonderful to keep important Lieutenant SirPhillip General Trousdell. isvitally “It Association, SirRoger General Wheeler aswell as of theRegiment andPresident of The Rangers was attended by MLAs, councilofficials, veterans hosted andCastlereagh by Council Lisburn and City memory ofthemembers memory The Bluesand Royals Hallin inKneller service Band attended amemorial number ofdifferentevents. mess On20thJulythe band for a thestudentbandmasters and supported astheroulementin London, theBandperformed thetime andtheHornpipe. During Rule Britannia Jerusalem, of fireworks throughout performances with theaudience, withmuchflag-waving and Guards. asusual, wasahugesuccess The concert, Band andmembersof The Bandof The Coldstream stage by HallStudent musiciansfrom theKneller for oftheProms onthe The LastNight concert bandstand inthegrounds. The Bandwasjoined attheopen-air hosts asummerseasonofconcerts Hall year Kneller ofArmy Music.School Every HallinLondon,to Kneller thehomeof The Royal For their annualcampthisyear, thebandtravelled were unveiled). intheGreat names ofthosewhohadserved War (whenanumberofadditional inOctober memorial Council attherededication oftheirwar each region oftheUK). The Bandalsosupported washeldatthesametimein (a similarservice to remember thisday andgive thanksfor peace of11thNovemberCathedral ontheafternoon the Waterfront inStAnne’s Hall, aswell asaservice LegionThe RoyalBritish Festival in ofRemembrance inStAnne’s ofRemembrance Service Cathedral, Ireland, who were treated to adisplay ofmilitary Parade hasbeenopento thepublicinNorthern on Titanic slipways wasthefirst time thata Colours York, Colonel inChiefof The Regiment. The event occasion, whichwasattended by HRH of The Duke forto provide thissignificant musicalsupport The Pipes andDrumsofboth1st2nd Battalions Battalions on22ndSeptember. The Bandjoinedwith the presentation coloursto of new both1stand2nd 2018 wasaspecialyear for thewholeRegiment, with Retreat inthegrounds of Trinity College. andtravelled another Barracks to Dublinto perform ajointBeatRetreat in The bandsperformed Thiepval Pipes andDrums. RoyalIrish African with theSouth September theBandhadpleasure ofworking In LegionBritish annualCeremony ofRemembrance. Band,Brigade Defence Forces at Ireland The Royal The Royal Irish Regiment The RoyalIrish at theCenotaph inBelfast, ofRemembrance the Act were honoured to support doeachyearthey theBand significant centenary. As of events this to mark were involved inanumber World War 1andtheBand theendof 2018 alsomarked tradition. Together we to lookforward many more years ahead. my colleaguesfor theircomradeshipandfriendship. to thank thisopportunity commitment, andto take and PSIfor theirencouragement,leadership and of thanksto theBandMaster, Band Sergeant Major aword tobehalf oftheBandIwould extend like events throughoutin somany theyear. key On tremendous to play privilege suchasignificant part and successfulyear for remainsThe Band. a It busy 2018hasbeenyet another very Clearly Music. Congratulations to bothon theirawards. to wasawardedMaster) Army anMBEfor Services June, Richard Douglas(Band Warrant Class1 Officer to theBand. Furthermore,dedication andservice in was awarded The Lord Lieutenant’s award for thisyear, April In Gareth LanceCorporal Downey Festival intheParisParis ofMusic. Military part to take travelled whenthey Royal Regiment ofScotland to when,inJune, hejoined support The Bandofthe Parton alsoprovided Richie Drum Major musical ceremony placesixto eighttimesayear. takes ceremonies thathappenregularly inGibraltar–the place outside The Convent andisoneofthemilitary Guard Mount. The Changing oftheGuard takes trip. During ski inaweeklong part to take 38 Brigade Sweet travelled D’Avres to SaintSorlin inFrance with andLouise Lindsay March, Musicians McKnight In same day Park intheRegents attack. onthe members oftheRoyal Green killed Jackets murdered Park by theIRAinHyde attackand of theCeremonial aspart performed Regiment asthey the Royal ofDrums Corps The Bandand to Gibraltarto assist Whiteside, travelled Philand Musician Trevor (PSI) Carter April, CSgt During qualification. FoundationSki 1 completed their both whosuccessfully Congratulations to 32 Signal Regiment. NIGSU, and 2Rifles soldiers, representing full timeandreserve joined by anumberof were they the trip RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 27

UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES 28 With suchasignificant number of vehicles, this and into Norway, aroad move ofaround 1,300miles. fromdriving themainland, through thecontinent nations. allies andpartner This exercise saw soldiers operation consistingof50,000 personnelfrom our inExercise part aNATOTRIDENT JUNCTURE, led support. This year oursoldierstookexpeditionary with theArmy’s current logistical focus being Regiment isconstantlyadapting, Irish) 152 (North Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE in aconventional setting. trained andtested over 120ofoursoldiersto operate soldiering. The exercise outcome wasachieved aswe austere environment, aswell asbasicclosecombat inan assets, tradespecificskills bulk fuelcarrying Squadron in located with211(Tanker) inHolywood and 400(Petroleum Operators) Squadron, co- Squadron Squadron), 220(Tanker) (Headquarter laydown 227 consistsofRegimental Headquarters, Full (FTRS)personnel. Our Service Time Reserve and and44 Regular establishment of398Reserve Army.Regiment intheBritish The Regiment hasan only RLC Fuel UnitandtheonlyReserve Support Ireland’s Regiment isNorthern Irish) 152 (North CORPS LOGISTIC ROYAL REGIMENT IRISH) 152 (NORTH RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report country driving in various invarious driving country the year, developing cross- excellent trainingfocus for provided an The package inSeptember.Germany Exercise LEOPARD STAR in was aRegimental level ACT; One ofourrecent highlights Training Exercise Annual Continuous detached inColeraine. witha Londonderry Troop to Shooting represent theArmy Reserve Team on internationally, ofoursoldierswere astwo selected win a Top 50badge. This successwasrewarded to became thefirst Lt Reserve Col intheArmy who which includedtheCommanding Officer OperationalShootingCompetition Army Reserve The Regiment secured five Top 50badges atthe have years’ lessthantwo service. as well asintroducing several juniorsoldierswho prizes for team memberswere experienced gained for thesecondyear. Additionally, numerous individual the RLC UnitChampionsatForce Troops Command onnumerous frontssilverware mostnotablybeing provide fuel. The Regiment continuallydelivers to asourability isasimportant Basic soldiering toBack Basics intheQMLLEx19June. participation with areciprocal visitbeingheldinFebruary and our hosts, reinforcing future fuelinteroperability, fueloperationscrossing tanker state and conduct of fuel, withthe135thCoy deploy to Fort Stewart Jacksonville Naval AirStationto deliver 230,000litres main exercise were activities to deploy, inconvoy, to Fuel Tractor and Trailer unitsfrom the220thCoy. The Vehicle Operators were trainedonUSArmy Bulk Our Petroleum Operators andBulkFuel Carrying Battalion. 61st future force integration allies, withourAmerican the fuelhaulageinteroperability,key mobilelogistics and Another tradespecificfuelexercise for us to reinforce Regiment. Irish) uniqueto 152(North opportunity The QMLLExisnow anannualoverseas training (QMLLEx 18) LiquidLogistics ExerciseQuartermaster to fightingtroops.winning support Regiment were front andcentre to deliver battle 152 soldiersand forexperience both to beanexcellent exchange proved Trainer.training The Convoy Tactical the Command exploited including were opportunities Further training the 148thCoy. lines into Florida with winning 2-1. forexperience allinvolved withthe YORKS narrowly champions) intheArmy SuperCup. Anexcellent to Estonia on1 to take YORKS Army (theRegular This ongoingsuccessculminated in152travelling the assistantmanagerfor theRLC team. Reserve team andprovided themanagerand Army Reserve for addition,152hadsix soldiersselected the 4-1. In seventh timeineightyears andbeating6Scots champions, having madeitto thefinal for the CupThe Football Regiment are the Army Reserve Sport Competition. Skills afemalewill beentering team into Military theCorps year, Next soldiers inleadershipandteamwork. 152 civilians andforces from allover andsoak theworld ofatightteam, integrate to bepart with opportunity gotthe to andnew theNijmegen both experienced a uniquephysical andmentalchallenge. Soldiers, throughout march, to theworld be known walking ina100-mile a team of12soldiersto participate This year 152travelled with to the Netherlands Opportunities Skills Military inCommand.our Regimental Second andwreathChurch laying by for service amemorial marched through thetown to Parish Holywood Soldiers and the fallen.Subsequently152Officers members,and community paying theirrespects to the Commanding Officer, alongwithlocalcouncil Adjutant ledthisyears’ Parade, Remembrance with Closer to home, attheHolywood War the Memorial, One andthe36thUlster DivisionontheSomme. battlefield tour to educate soldiersabout World War France onExerciseNorthern ULSTERREMEMBERED, a sites throughout memorial by visiting various throughout connections theRegiment with military time. remarkable We commemorated thepersonnel about allthosewholived through thistragic and truly globalwar. This year 152took thetimeto think 100 years ago thegunsfell silentonthe World’s first theCentenaryMarking of World War One Exercise SHARPSHOOTER inCanada. positive for experiences the successful anddelivered events were extremely Both section. in theReserve Regiment came2ndoverall of soldiering. This year the designed to test allaspects competition Skills Military the Royal Logistic Corps A similarchallengeis experience. up thepositive hostnation continued support. continued support. andwe Ireland thankyou for that RFCA Northern we receive fromthe support organisations such and continuedcommitmentofourpeople a strong placedueto thehard anddedication work Regimentto RLC comeourway. Irish) isin 152(North pencilledin,withmore likely andDenmark America Currently we have deployments to Canada, Jordan, Regiment’s operationalcommitments. willbetestedleadership andsoldiering to meetthe their developed conceptuallyandprofessionally; They willbechallengedphysically andmentally; trainingunder the Royal Logisticquality ethos. Corps the way for oursoldiersto develop andexperience focused andinnovative whichwillorganically lead Our 2019trainingprogramme isfinelytuned, 2019 andBeyond infrontCorps ofHRH, The Princess RoyalatDeepcut. oftheformation oftheRoyal Logisticanniversary Additionally, atthe25th have they performed Hall, Gate. andtheMenin at BelfastCity Holywood Remembrance, the100 Years parades Remembrance events, includingtheFirst World War Centenary Pipes many andDrumshave prestigious supported fantastic musiciansare always indemand. The ofour proud our Regimental identity As part Pipes andDrums requiring stacksofcourage. experience axes andcrampons;atrulyawe-inspiring white andclimbingglacierswith ice water rafting hillclimbing,mountaineering, mountainbiking, ofadventurean array from alpine hillwalking, Adventure Training growthanother female area sporting in152. event, competition highlighting everfirst X-Country of three female runnerscominginthird ontheir consecutive year. This year we hadtheaddedbonus team, for the3rdChampionships, UnitReserve Major 152 won the Royal Logistic X-Country Corps experienced experienced eight days soldiers Mont-Blanc. Over in France, Chamonix- mountainous areas of themostbeautiful setinone package, and challenging an adrenalin fuelled of theyear offering largest expedition GLACIER wasthe Exercise FINN RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 29 UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES 30 courses andcontinuationtraining, soeven ifyou are foundationfocused mainlyonthecompletionofski exercise France. took placeinMorzine, The exercise inExCOLDto SOLDIER. participate This year the March, 204FieldIn Hospitalsent10unitmembers Ex COLD SOLDIER improved facilitiesfor changing andtraining. to forward theprospect of isreally looking Everyone are now inpossessionofthearchitect’s drawings. hardfor to helpusandwe NIhasbeenworking edge closer. ForcesThe Reserve &Cadets Association Plans for improvements Centre to theArmy Reserve great benefit to them. themselves justhow theunittrainsandoperates isof to seefor andtheability the trainingopportunities do. are Recruits to permitted joininwithmuchof demonstrating justwhatagoodjobtherecruiters levels remainManning stronger thanever before, gusto. Officer, Matt Colonel onboard Willshastaken with and ‘Back to Basics’, Commanding which thenew Cycle,Readiness emphasisisonindividualtraining Now in Year OneoftheBrigade’s Formation also for four months. deployed SouthSudan, to Officer Support Medical successful four monthtour inAfghanistan anda hasrecentlyOne ofourdoctors returned from a and Kenya. deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Leone, Sierra Cyprus operates intheworld. Many 204personnelhave medicalcare whereverthe Army it withexpert (AMS) provides Services Army Medical The Reserve Ireland. and from any locationinNorthern recruits fromIt allareas oftheHealthcare Economy ofBelfast. are situated ontheoutskirts Headquarters Regimental Ireland.Field Its HospitalinNorthern only Army Reserve Field Hospitalisthe Irish) 204 (North HOSPITAL FIELD 204 (NI) RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report touring training.touring rescue, offpiste and ski and on avalanche risk FoundationSki 3,focused advanced levels, completing and improve. The more to learn are opportunities a complete novice, there themselves. thoroughly enjoyed part whotooksuccess. Everyone to navigation, itwasahuge stands, from riverrescues competing onten different thisyear, part civilians taking scenarios. With over 100 inmedicalbased to participate an opportunity offered leadershipchallenges, team buildingand Open to teams ofcivilianmedicalprofessionals, it was coordinated by RFCA NI. by 204, supported Ex MEDICALCHALLENGEtook placein June and CHALLENGE Ex MEDICAL this wasaphenomenalaccomplishment. thanRegular services intheArmy Medical Reserves Team. into accountthatthere areWhen taking more Field Irish) HospitalattainedBestReserve 204 (North the arduous bit”. said One oftheteam (ex-) “I underestimated thiswasatough andarduous nomistake feat.make The competitionwaspromoted as ‘Back to Basics’ but (CIED), Care underFire andmore, muchmore! handling, Counter Improvised Explosive Device Capturedpatrol, Personnel observation, (CPERS) to navigation andNuclearknowledge, Radiological Testing from Chemical, Biological, everything throughthe team gruelling 12often worked stands. boot ontheaccelerator. challenge, Challengeafter moved ontheSaturday swiftly withaheavy morning withaslow leadinonFridayStarting night,things that, andmore. physical soldier. This annualcompetitiondidexactly soldierandthe test thesoldierin2ways; thethinking exercise skills isdesigned to annualmilitary (AMSTTE) Services The ArmyTactical Medical Training Exercise Ex ARDUOUSSERPENT locations allover theworld. andimprove to learn with thepossibility inskiing inalllevels ofskiing, to participate opportunities Certainly, there for are theaverage many Reservist, AMS andto strengthen thecivilianand links between environments, to raiseawareness itserved ofthe fromWith seniorspeakers bothcivilianand military circumstances’. in theModern World –difficulttimes, difficult and wasonthetheme Relief ‘Humanitarian This year’s 400delegates StudyDay nearly attracted Study DayExternal the otheractivities. andsomeof intrekking part enabling themto take recruit candidates to visitthisphasefor 3nights, RFCAsponsored Biking. Trekking 5 andMountain offeredRock Climbing, Kayaking, Sailing,Coasteering, Camp, Weymouth, which andconsisted ofapackage The Adventure Training Phase was based inChickerell training provided. allfeltthey agreat hadlearnt they dealfrom the wasexhausted, Althougheveryone theFTX. during from theNorthern Trust to visittheiremployees back atunitlines. RFCAsponsored employers two ‘Back to Basics’ whichwasstarted trainingpackage, the andto practise to develop their leadershipskills opportunity provided unitmemberswiththeperfect a The FTX Trauma Course (TRiM). Management Risk Field Training medicalplanningand Exercise (FTX), Package, ofaRange a comprising ‘Back to Basics’ Phase Onetook placeatLongmoor Training Camp, Ex LONGWEY FINNACT 18 opportunity. Lastyearopportunity. 21 an excellent recruiting as the studydays serve Careattending, Trusts from theHealthandSocial With suchlarge numbers Ireland. Northern in medicalservices military expedition to Nepalin 2020. to Corsica asprogressive preparation for aproposed expedition 19 andpreparations for atrekking AMSTTE 19inSeptember,has begunfor ACT trainingfor but willgradually refocus onto team activity. Planning continue withtheemphasis onIndividual Training onnowMoving to FORM Year Two, theunitwill Forward Looking ongoing advicewithallemployer issues. employers ofunitmembersover thepastyear, and Another area ofassistancehasbeenliaisonwith to usethesefor promotional purposes. images, bothvideoandstillatourevents enablingus The RFCAphotographer someexcellent hastaken awards.events suchastheRCN recruiting standshave hadaplaceathighprofile Awareness evenings, andRFCAhave ensured our received fundingandinputonPeer to Peer andAMS of influentialindividualspossible. We have also demonstrate whatwe offer to thewidestrange Days andExMEDCHALLENGE,allowing usto individualsatStudy facilitating attendance ofkey engagement events hasbeeninvaluable, including RFCA’s assistanceandgenerous fundingfor our Support RFCA outofthehundredswas selected whoapplied. immensely proud thatshe andwe are opportunity was aonceinlifetime For her, theexperience HallinLondon. Albert attheRoyal AMS Reserves Precious to represent the Michelle Corporal selected Day,Armistice theAMS For of thecentenary RemembranceDay proud ofhim! very Royal College ofNursingceremony inJune. We are all received theOutstandingAchievement Award atthe Colonel, Professor OBE, Our Honorary Bradley Martin wellExtremely doneto bothindividuals! wasawarded anMBE. Kirkham-Brown Captain Kev Vice Chiefofthe Defence Staff Commendation and Captain Tony Howley, ourAdjutant, received the all! Commendation. manyVery congratulations to them Troops Commanding’s Command, Officer General receiving theForce Steven andCorporal Reid Ryan Major withPhilEngland,Certificate, Seamus Captain WO1 Tonia received theLord Oakley Lieutenant’s Honours andAwards from thisoneevent. Reserves professionals expressed aninterest to jointheAMS RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 31 UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES 32 Contingents, in Troop Contributing all UKandother the hospitaltreated contingent whereas to theUK lookafter 1 were there solely paramedics). Level Hospital) collocated withaLevel (GP and 1facility there wasaLevel 2+)hospital(33Field 2(Role basedatthelatter.medical assetsprimarily Here groups and Bentiuwithour were basedatMalakal troopsof British into thecountry. Engineering based inJuba,managing theinflow andoutflow Bentiu andMalakal. The Theatre EnablingGroup was was spread over three sites Sudan:Juba, inSouth deployedJones onOp Trenton 3. The UKtaskforce 2018 saw andSergeant Colonel Steve IainMoles Deployments paragraphs shoulddemonstrate. achieved someoutstandingsuccess, asthefollowing hasbeenabusytimebuttheRegiment has It those whowere theiroptions. considering perhaps people;andretaining somenew someof attracting into deliveringsomeexcellent training; the Reservists Army 2018andhehascontinued to inMay enthuse arrived Regular from the CommandingA new Officer effectively where required. are to enableusto more deliver medical capability potential Reservists. new attract These measures to engage withlocalorganisations to be seeking andwe will andtheIsleofMan, Carlisle Enniskillen, now have formalised locationsin Detachment loseaSquadron inBelfast. but willshortly We also and we now have aSquadron inChorley, England, have beenaffected measuresby Army restructuring This hasbeenabusyyear for who Regt 253(NI)Med at Chorley, Lancashire. is and64Sqn troop locateda sub-unit atEnniskillen) Squadrons. islocated (with 108Sqn atLimavady ARC Sunnyside Street, Belfastalongwith107,109and110 is situated Centre inPantridge (PARC), Army Reserve operates inthe World. The Regimental Headquarters for soldiersonOperations wherever Army theBritish standards medicineandhealthcare ofemergency highest The Unitspecialisesinproviding thevery Ireland. Regiment inNorthern Medical only Reserve Regiment isthe 253 (NI)Medical REGIMENT MEDICAL Irish) 253 (North RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report Forward Operating Base(FOB)andrural. Allthree three to 12 Sep conduct separate phases:urban, Three Squadrons deployed onto theground on the trainingarea for scenarios. sixnightsinvarious designed to assistthesoldiersbefore deploying onto andmuchmore.fieldcraft These lessons were tactics, and communicationstraining, warfare urban where& Integration), clinical soldiersconducted intense Staging, RSOI(Reception, Onward-movement exchange. The exercise beganwith three days of some USNationalAirForce personnelon Reserve 2 RIRISH,soldiersfrom andalso Evac Reg 335Med fellow 1UKXX soldiersfrom and 225Med, 253Med First’ Syllabus, andBattlecraft andwas attended by event for theUnit’s trainingtowards thenew ‘Soldier Training Exercise. The exercise wastheculmination ExSTONEconduct VIPER astheirAnnualContinuous inStaffordshire deployedRegt to Swynnerton to from 253Med 2018,90reservists On the8thSept ContinuationAnnual Training techniques, notto beforgotten! anexperience asthechildren their was indescribable practised and thehappinessenjoyment ontheirfaces were demonstratedSimple handwashingskills setting upteaching sessionsfor thelocalchildren. proved to rewarding beanextremely experience, Cross. Red withtheKenyan in partnership This The exercise closedwithaneducationalfocus areas traditionsandbeliefs. encompassingtribal environment,in anurban moving to remote ofproviding aspects treatment in thevarying engagement. Differing challenges were experienced (including dental)andcontinuingcommunity delivering clinicaloutreach, healtheducation inKenya, Serpent Regiment onExAskari Medical joinedthe177strongEmma Dowie team ledby 2 DunlopandLanceCorporal April, Captain Nicola In Refugees). Commissioner Cross forRed andUNHCR(UNHigh (MSF) butincludingmany otherssuchasBritish Organisations, SansFrontière Médecins principally was provided by arangeofNon-Governmental or peoplefrom thePOC(Protection ofCivilian)sites DisplacedPersonsThe care oftheInternally (IDPs) threatening injuries. employed civilians(LECs),for life, limbandeyesight any after medical teams locally UNworkers, looked situationsallthe emergency to thehospitalinBentiu. In hospital similarincapability providedIndians aLevel 2 integral Level 1GPs. The providingIndians theirown Ethiopiansand Rwandans, were Malakal Ghanaians. In and this caseMongolians never setfoot aboard personnel who had for Unit opportunity was to provide an aim oftheexercises VIII. The yacht TERN Association (NI)’s the Army Sailing of theRegiment enjoyed offshore sailingaboard inJune, weekends two adozenOver members Adventure Training outof working Warcop.training package followedpackage by aweek-long adventurous 1training,Role afieldtrainingexercise andrange incorporating Annual Continuation Training (ACT) deployed64 Sqn to Kirkcudbright Training Area for Exercise 19. inGibraltarMay onwards andupwards to ourOverseas Training enjoyed throughout. theexperience We now look and alsofor theorganising staffwhothoroughly go down asahighlightinthecareers ofoursoldiers staff.It willsurely attendance includingsupporting complex exercise whichhadover 180 peoplein VIPER wasahugesuccessfor itwasavastly 253Med; Ranks. Ex Other for Seniorsand STONE theOfficers, National Arboretum, alltopped offwithdinnernights visits to Drayton Manor, Stratford-Upon-Avon andthe downtime,received including somewell-earned After completionofthefieldphasesoldiers test how faroursoldiershadcomeinthesixdays. violence from theenemy andcivpopinorder to The exercise concludedwithanescalationof arrived, pushingsoldiersto thelimitsoftiredness. medical facilitiesandreacted to casualtiesasthey role of ‘treat’ throughout. AllSquadrons established especially whenhaving theirprimary to conduct wasdauntingfor mostofourReservists, security of livinginthefield for sixdays andhaving to provide militants andenemy ineachlocation. The challenge and encountered civilianpopulation,NGOs, media, Squadrons rotated days two around allthree every FOB wasanAfghanistan-style Hescofacility. The andthe inanoldammobunker was conducted in’ andreturning theurban to basicsoldiering; had different challenges, theruralincluded ‘digging cheque. trophyreceived andhandsome abeautiful crystal and education,inaddition to clinicalpractice”. Nicola audience, “displaying standards oftraining exemplary to Marches the wasdescribed the 2017Nijmegen lead role intheprovision ofreal during life support defence nurse.” Herinvaluable inplaying work a to beaflexible it takes and theepitome ofwhat as being “a trueinspiration andwascited the category 253 wasdelighted to win DunlopfromCaptain Nicola NurseAward and Reservist wasDefencecategories Hotel, Belfast.Oneofthe ceremony attheCulloden Nursing (NI)annualawards at theRoyal College of June 2018saw membersof253inattendance Achievements Regiment. experienced, allproud to represent 253(NI)Medical range ofblood, sweat andeven afew tears were soldiers andofficers. thecompetitionsa During of junior skills develop theleadershipandmilitary andmedical capabilities,patrol aimingto skills (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, andNuclear), the team trainedindisciplinesincludingCBRN Bronze medal. Blendingenthusiasmwithexperience, CHALLENGE inSeptember, awell-deserved earning in May, andfor thefirsttimeentered ExALTCAR Tacticalcompetition Services Exercise) Training (Army Medical excellently intheAMSTTE performed embraced thechallengesofcompetition. The team Skills TeamOnce again,theRegimental Military Skills Military return! pleasantweekends. made for very two We shall wind couldhave beenalittlestronger, butthesun the Regiment allowed usto dothiswithease. The andcompetent crew within couple ofDay Skippers challenges thatoffshore sailingpresents. Having a a yachtbefore theenjoyment to and experience RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 33 UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES 34 The results were allthemore satisfying as25%ofthe Div Operational ShootingCompetition (OSC). 1(UK) repeated thiscombatshootingdominanceatthe later theteam, for successive year, thefourth Aweek Operational ShootingCompetition (OSC). and team events atthe102Logistic Brigade forces cleansweep ofthereserve individual virtual AMS GrassRoots Training withinthelastnine Scheme withthe upthesport stemmed from onlytaking Competition. Services and Inter This successhas (AMS) atboththeRoyal Services Tournament Nurses from represented 64Sqn, Army Medical Health RuthHiggins,Corporal oneofourMental County.” of theoldestfootball team intheworld, Notts people attheground in front of1000s to playexperience andafantastic Games Remembrance of theArmistice 100th anniversary for for theSquad the honour to beselected and says, wasan “It with 3years’ service Technician (CMT) isaClass3Combat Medical Mearns Corporal the Army Reserve Women’s Football Squad. Lance into wasselected HeatherMearns Lance Corporal Academy Sandhurst(RMAS) course. Military coveted Sword ofHonouratherFebruary Royal Officer,Regiment asaMedical having wonthe We welcomed Captain Sally Wright into the RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report year running, achieved a Shooting Team, for thethird 18theRegimental May In young Reservist. a fantasticachievement for a Army Rugby League whichis Freya for Hellinwasselected Also from Private 64Sqn, months. sound ofthis, dogetintouch! there willbelotsmore usbusy. to keep the you like If a BattlefieldStudy October,to Sicilyin and Iamsure 2 week exercise inStaffordshire conduct September; in another conduct Annual Camp inGibraltarApril/May; 2019 willbebusyaswe are our scheduledto conduct The YearAhead career conventions. resulted ininvitations to studentawareness days and great organisations relationships new thathave withkey visitors wasexcellent; thetangible outcome wassome interesting andsuccessfulday andthefeedback from representatives. Medicine Emergency proved It avery aswell as Nursing studentsaccompaniedtheirfaculty and showcase AnumberofPharmacy ourmedicalskills. profile oftheUnitamongstourtarget audienceand some oftheirinterested studentsinorder to raisethe senior lecturersfrom thelocalUniversities alongwith now regular events, itwasdecidedto alsoinvite STONE VIPER. Whilst employer visitsto trainingare number ofguestswere invited to visitourACT, Ex (DRM),a and Defence Management Relationship On 16September, Brigade from 38(Irish) withsupport Employer Engagement competitions. inbothdomesticandinternational Army Reserve Wilson andPrivate McClure, representing the Moore, Alexander, Corporal Rowan, Corporal Corporal Shooting Team 19)to includeSergeant 2019(BAROST announced Operational ArmyThe Reserve British Commander FieldDeputy O’Leary General Army Major (European November Division)Championships. In pistol shooter inCommonwealth ShootingFederation and thenwent onto represent NIfor thefirsttime, asa finished 2ndintheArmy Target Pistol Championships respectively. late SeptemberAlexander Corporal In 7th (Corporal Alexander)and11th(Corporal Rowan) came 2nd. The membersof the team other two finished PistolIndividual ChampionshipsandSergeant Moore additionPrivateChampionships. In McClure won the Combat PistolUnit ChampionshipsattheArmy Reserve winning ways by posting record scores to retain the September theShooting In Team gotbackto their ForcesUK Armed Team thatbeattheHomeNations. Service Teams hewasalsoa ‘wind’ coachonthewinning additionto beingamemberofthewinningInter- In TeamMeeting. Imperial Association attheNationalRifle July Captain McLean represented theArmy Target Rifle eight shootersReserve finishedintheArmy In Top 50. Unit Championshipbutonapositive note sixofthe wasahugedisappointmentto finishsecondinthe It Queen’s for Medal Shooting for year running. thesixth see ifoneofourshooters couldwinHerMajesty The OSCandto Unit ChampionshipsattheArmy Reserve June 18the Team travelled to Pirbright to defend the shooters whohadjustcompleted recruit training. In team wasmadeupofnew, young andenthusiastic from some key individualsandagencies,from sowe somekey This tour would not have beenpossible withouthelp no plan. were thenandhow some plan isalways better than wide rivers are asmuchanobstacletoday asthey how warsare fought, 100m buthow littlethingslike inthetechnologies to seetheshift of opportunity since thehandover in1922. The Tour wasabrilliant Barracks, Athlone, troops thefirstBritish to doso na hÉireann, ortheIrish Volunteers inCustume to visittheÓglaigh opportunity had thehistoric which thehighlychaoticbattlewasfought. We also to seetheground andconditionsunder opportunity We offattheBattleofBoyne, gettingan started across today. Ireland history, settingthescenefor events thatare ongoing andBritish insight into apivotal momentinIrish the culminatingBattleofAughrim. The tour wasan the BattlesofBoyne, thesiegeofAthlone and battlefield tour,two-day headed offona reviewing On Friday 591(AA) Field 14thOctober Squadron Battlefield BoyneTour - & Aughrim Club.refurbishment ofitsJuniorRanks most notablybyto provision offinancialsupport allthattheSquadron hasundertaken, supporting RFCA hascontinuedthroughout theyear withthem andguidancefrom co-operation Close support, members ofthepublicvisittheirlocationinBangor. attended OpenDay whichsaw over five hundred events culminatinginahugelysuccessfulandwell engagement a numberofsuccessfulcommunity , aBattleField Tour oftheBoyne, anddelivered the Squadron adventure hasconducted trainingin manned target by theendof2020. Within 2018 the unitwell onitsway to achieve fully- itsuplifted with strong, cohort, especiallyamongtheOfficer Annual Continuation Training. remains Recruiting and deployed enmasseto Belize their to conduct Sudan,Somalia individuals onoperationsinSouth satellite new its two locations. 591have deployed continued itsexpansion,having moved into eachof for theUlster SappersinwhichtheSquadron has busyandeventful hasbeenanextremely year It Overview 71 ENGINEERREGIMENT 591 (AA) FIELDSQUADRON, Reservists, which hopefully everyone willremember whichhopefullyeveryone Reservists, andexcellentexperience especiallyfor opportunity, on timeandto ahighstandard. This wasafun the taskswithinjunglephasewere completed stress ontheteamisolation. Despite theextra all the weather andlogistical issuesasaresult ofthe forceas degradation oftheconstruction dueto living inthejunglewhichcausedcomplexitiessuch improvements. The troop completed alltaskswhilst upgradebridge andjunglecampmaintenance and andrepair, construction track maintenance, culvert the junglewe taskssuchas completed construction the environment. For theremaining timewithin andhopefullythrive in onhow totrackers survive we thebasicsfrom learnt thelocaljungle Initially and operatingwithinthediverse jungleenvironment. outengineering taskswhileliving training andcarry The Troop injunglesurvival deployed part to take maintenance. drainage repair, andcamp buildingdeconstruction pathway for BATSUB HQ, trackandroad construction, These tasksinvolved ofaconcrete theconstruction for BATSUB andtheBelize Defence Force (BDF). tasks outconstruction in PRICEbarracks, carrying ground runninginthefirst week ofthepackage Troop deployed onthesecondwave andhitthe tasksacross construction thecountry. 2 various with attachedmedicsallowing usto complete deployment wasdividedinto two Troop rotations deployed to Belize onExercise MAYAN STAR 18. The For themonthofJune591(AA) Field Squadron Exercise MAYAN STAR 18 advantage of. full shouldtake reservist tours are somethingevery The insight,goodfunandsuch tour wasabrilliant whobrought thewholethingto lifeMurtagh for us. idea andorganised it,to Col. BiggerandDrHerman funding, to thewhole Lt whoconcocted McCray From RFCAwhoenabledthewholethingwith towould give just like themaspecialthank-you. years to come. and talkaboutfor RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 35 UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES 36 our Officers and SNCOs embedded in a variety of and SNCOs embeddedinavariety our Officers ofdifferentagencies andthemilitaries nations. With for allranksto withdifferent work opportunities andmentoring, ininstruction and to develop skills provided for excellent thejuniorranks opportunities All considered, it’s beenaninteresting tour and kitchen. field and new vehicle maintenance yard, andthebuildofa gym including theinstallationofhard standinginthe assist onanumberofminorengineering projects, spectrum. We were alsowell placedto adviseand Support andCombat Service the Combat Support training andmentoring, facilitatingtrainingacross courseswhere OpCATANcertain couldprovide BNDF translator andthetrainingteam andidentified establishedgoodrelationships withthe quickly to Afghanistan. incomparison but comfortable We quietandthewelfare wasbasic,in Jowhar wasvery surrounding Patrolsupporting Baselocations. Life Burundian NationalDefence Force (BNDF),aswell as for 5andishometo 800membersofthe Sector establishing theiroffice. Hub Sector Jowhar isthe improved theUNthrough theprocess to of support wasestablishedand infrastructure andlife support able to move to inJowhar andwork andthatthe the conditionswere inplaceto allow theUNto be stage andsowe were to ensure alsotasked that UN hadnotmoved to atthis Jowhar permanently in Jowhar. Office Field Support Sector Mission The were responsible for theestablishmentofUN ForresterWO2 andSpr Thompson from 71Engr Regt (MIA). Airport International to Mogadishu Gate,upgrade oneofthemainentrances ofMarine including defensive infrastructure upgrades andthe Somalia. We alsomentored troops onlive tasks inlocationsaround countries all troop-contributing we delivered anumberofcoursesto soldiersfrom and adviseAMISOM troops inforce protection, and was oftheengineerto train The section maineffort BurundiandEthiopianforces.Ugandan, Djiboutian, (AMISOM) personnel. AMISOM ismadeupofKenyan, inSomalia United UnionMission NationsandAfrican oftraining auspices oftheUNwithpurpose missionthatcomesunderthe and mentoring OpCATANSomalia. training isaCombat Support the UK’s ongoingcommitmentto operationsin Regiments deployed onOpCATAN of 4aspart 2018membersof32and71Engineer January In CATANOp 4 RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report in defensive oftraining, engineering andthedelivery placed onthejuniorrankshasdeveloped theirskills engineering, whiletheamountofresponsibility deploy overseas genuineoperational andconduct this deployment represents to agreat opportunity thecurrent environment, asdualactivities. In often projects andtrainingfor AMISOM forces, andSomali ofinfrastructure development planning anddelivery for JNCOs theleadin andSappersto take staff roles withthe UN,it’s beena great opportunity Three members of591Field Squadron attended runby 71Engr Regt. Italy the Dolomites inNorthern Dolomite wasAdventurous Ex Northern Training to Dolomite Ex Northern oftheseactivities. the delivery as well ashaving given themtheconfidence to lead members of591. highly rewarding andwasthoroughly enjoyed by all This wasaphysically challenging exercise butwas exercise! through thecanalsof Venice; whataway to finishthe St Mark’s Square, indulgedinagondolaride they hadjustcompleted. they After visiting of walking andwasawelcome changefromcity theseven days Venice. to visitahistoric This wasarare opportunity home, flew they they were treated to aculturalday in faced.mountains andtheconditionsthey Before thetunnelsin army hadmanagedto construct visited asmallmuseumexplaininghow theItalian and impressive pieceofengineering. They also wasafascinating Army during It by theItalian WW1. to visitthetunnelsthathadbeendug opportunity they took the On thefinalday ofhillwalking tents atalocalcampsite. thesewerein. If notavailable, thegroup stayed in where couldgetfed walkers andhave abedto sleep or intheirown tents. The Refugios were basicchalets stayed intheRefugios dotted through themountain great AT theevenings theteam either experience. In oftheDolomites alladdedto a scenery spectacular challenging rewarding. butextremely very The that thegroup hadpreviously done. The walkswere wasarduousterrain anddifferent to any hillwalking mostlyabovewas conducted 1,000meters andthe followed by aculturalday in Venice. The hillwalking intheDolomites of seven days arduous hillwalking the AT, Leader. oneasaMountain The AT consisted RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 37 UNIT SUMMARIES training alongside Command exciting, varied and successful 2018. The last year has 40 (NORTH IRISH HORSE) and Control effectively and seen 40 (North Irish Horse) Signal Squadron reservists SIGNAL SQUADRON, 32 efficiently at Clonaver Park take part in operations and training in Cyprus, France, throughout the year. Germany, , Italy, Israel, Turkey, SIGNAL REGIMENT and USA.

In August, the Squadron got The last twelve months has seen the Squadron once together for an Adventure Looking ahead, as the Squadron attempts to increase more involved in a wide range of activities including Training weekend in numbers by 30%, it is vital that the hard work and operational, training and commemorative events. Northern Ireland. The commitment towards the dual role of UK Ops and The variety of opportunities on offer has continued Saturday with a parade through the town followed by activities included sailing, hill ECM capability continues. It is anticipated that having to attract and the recruiting, although slower over the a church service at St Nicholas’ Church. On the return walking and for the first time embraced the “One Army” concept with our Regular period, has seen eight newcomers to the Squadron. through the town the Salute was taken by the Lord Coasteering. This exciting Army counterparts, we will continue to avail of new UNIT SUMMARIES We currently sit at 77 trained personnel which is 91% UNIT SUMMARIES Lieutenant of Antrim and the Mayor. activity involved jumping and exciting opportunities, possibly in areas such as manning. The Squadron has had success in attracting into the sea from height cyber, which will be an attraction to future recruits 4 ex-Regular soldiers across to the Reserves and also In June, the Squadron had a change of command. around Ballintoy coast! It going forward. in officer recruitment, where we congratulate 2Lt We welcomed back Maj Derek Irvine as Officer was excellent preparation Swann on his commission from Lance Corporal and Commanding. He has taken over from Maj Gordy in team building before welcome him as the new Troop Commander of 866 Stevenson who leaves the Squadron well placed for deploying on ACT with the Troop. Following the Secretary of State for Defence’s the future, having established and developed the dual remainder of the Regiment announcement of 189 new Army Reserve posts in role of UK Ops and ECM capability for the Squadron. the following month. The Northern Ireland, the squadron is anticipating an Squadron has supported two uplift of 29 over the next two years. In preparation, An important goal for the Squadron in 2018 was to charity events this year. The a request for work services and facilities at Clonaver continue building on the success of our integration Somme Nursing Home was Army Reserve Centre, such as extra changing areas with our Regular Army counterparts in the delivering again the focus of attention and ablutions, has been submitted to RFCA NI and is of Electromagnetic Counter Measures (ECM) training when the Squadron spent currently in the pipeline. The support from RFCA (NI) to the wider Army. The Squadron now has a troop the weekend in early spring is appreciated and vital as the Squadron attempts of over 20 reservists that are trained in this area of preparing the gardens for to grow. The Squadron has continued to assist our expertise and have assisted 225 (ECM(FP)) Signal the summer. The Squadron Regular Army counterparts 225 Signal Squadron Squadron with the pre-deployment training of 2nd raised money for the Royal with delivering Force Protection training in Electronic Parachute Regiment prior Counter Measures (ECM) to the Parachute Regiment. to their deployment to We have also carried out UK Operations training with Afghanistan. To carry out the Signals Benevolent 38 (Irish) Brigade Signal Troop as well as providing a ECM role requires keeping reservist for a 6-month tour of the Falkland Islands. Fund by pulling a both military and trade skills Landrover through up to date. The Squadron East Belfast. The Squadron again excelled in the area of ensured there was plenty of Operational Shooting. Despite the cancellation of opportunities to practice the The Squadron the 51 Brigade Operational Shooting Competition core skills. This proved to be this year, the Squadron made up the majority of the deployed on Annual excellent preparation for the Continuation Training 32 Signal Regiment Shooting team and dominated Annual Continuation Training both the Corps and the (ACT) the first two (ACT) later in the year. weeks of September Force Troops Command The Squadron has provided Operational Shooting with 32 Signal both the Regular and Regiment in Sennalager, Germany. The training had Competitions at Bisley. Sgt Reserve units across Gordon and Cpl Colgan an imaginative range package in the first week. This Northern Ireland access to was followed by a challenging exercise based around were both called forward for the Battlefield Command further training and scrutiny a “Stabilisation Operations” scenario. This developed and Control (BC2T) training the leadership amongst the junior soldiers in a realistic before being selected to facility. This is the only facility represent the way. The ACT had much variety, including cultural of its kind in the Province. visits and was well received by everyone participating. Reserves Operational Units have been able to carry Shooting Team (BAROST) to out vital communications compete against 36 different In summary, the Squadron can reflect on what was an international shooting teams, over 5 days in Arkansas, USA.

The annual marking of the Battle of the Hitler Line began with a dinner on the 18 May in Clonaver Park with the Officers of the North Irish Horse from B Squadron, SNIY and 40 Signal Squadron. The Hitler Line Parade took place in Carrickfergus the following 38 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 39 with our colleagues from 207, 212 and 278 Batteries. American Exchange 206 (ULSTER) BATTERY, 105 This was then followed by a 17-hour flight from On 30 May, a Sgt from 206 Battery travelled to a REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY RAF Brize Norton via Cape Verde to the destination National Guard base - Gowan Field, Boise, Idaho, - the Falkland Islands. The exercise phase was the to train with 1-148 Field Artillery. The overarching Introduction culmination of the guns STRIKE course that tested the purpose was to understand and exchange personal 206 (Ulster) Battery has been engaged in numerous skills and knowledge of the gunners and detachment knowledge of job roles, weapon systems, ranks and events over the course of the year, from live firing to commanders on the L118 light gun. Live firing command and control structures and tactics within Royal Salutes across the province, and undertaking exercises were carried out in Warcop in February and each army, and this was certainly achieved over the 16 Battle Craft Syllabus exercises in Magilligan as well in Otterburn in October to ensure that the gunners days. as the Pentland hills in Edinburgh. The training this per day for four consecutive days; they persevered, had a solid base on which to build. year has been stripped right back to basics which has and every single participant earned a completion The exchange consisted of 8 days initial training, given the younger gunners a fantastic opportunity to medal. Over 800 high explosive and smoke rounds were conducting dry fire missions as an assistant gunner UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES practise section attacks, ambushes, reconnaissance fired over the course of the 4-day exercise. The of the detachment, firing an M109 - a 155mm patrols and basic infantry tactics. Of course, the Royal Salutes large number of rounds coupled with increasingly turreted self-propelled howitzer with a range of 30km; guns had to feature in the training programme and 206 (Ulster) Battery conducted 6 Royal Salutes in 2018 complex fire missions tested the mental and physical undertaking casualty extraction and gun crew drills; there were ample opportunities to engage in live to mark Royal Anniversaries at different locations robustness of the gun detachments. Thermal vehicle recovery; American voice procedure and the fire missions in Warcop, Otterburn and the Falkland across the province due to the official saluting management was also a challenging factor for the orders process. This was followed by 2 days of live Islands. station (Hillsborough Castle) being unavailable whilst detachment commanders due to the high rates of fire. firing on exercise XTCT on the Orchard range complex; refurbishments were carried out; these included 2 days equipment maintenance and 4 days of cultural Adventure training After a very demanding and successful exercise activities, which included a visit to 124th Fighter Wing Downhill Skiing, Norway/Austria phase, the gunners engaged in a battlefield study of Idaho Air National Guard, white-water rafting on the This year, the ski fanatics as well as the beginners in the of Mount Longdon and Mount Tumbledown of the Salmon River and a visit to Bronco stadium and other Battery had two opportunities to improve their skills 1982 Falklands War. All ranks were taken through local sites in Boise city. on the slopes and appreciate the après ski in Norway the offensive by 3PARA, alongside their struggles, and Austria. A great time was had by all. successes and extreme acts of heroism. They were Conclusion able to learn important tactical and doctrinal lessons The Battery has added to its ranks this year, and Tough Mudder at Castlelaw from the conflict that will better help them in their successfully completed a demanding annual A team with members from across the Regiment roles within the British Army. deployment exercise over 7,000 miles from home. The completed a 10km obstacle course race that tested Regimental ADE will be in Denmark next year which is their endurance and mental grit. The team overcame Once back on home soil, everyone was able to another exciting prospect to focus on. The Battery will various obstacles not only with their physical strength, enjoy some well-deserved adventure training which establish a new troop in Newtownabbey highlighting but with camaraderie and teamwork. included dry slope skiing. that the Royal Artillery has a strong and promising future in the province. Trekking in Ullapool Remembrance 2018 A small number from the Battery tested their A Roll of Honour reading took place at the Somme navigation skills and physical endurance by trekking Heritage Centre where members of the Battery across Ullapool, Scotland in October. were able to read out some of the names of over 49,000 members of the Royal Artillery who died in Nijmegen marches WW1. The final names were read out by other Royal Several members of the Battery participated in the Artillery service personnel at Hyde Park in London Nijmegen marches, on Remembrance some for the third Sunday. The Battery or fourth time. The Bangor Castle, Antrim Castle Gardens, Carrickfergus also paraded in Nijmegen marches is Castle and Enniskillen Yacht Club. The most notable Coleraine and an annual walk that salute took place on 2 June on the shore of Lough Newtownards on has taken place since Erne followed by a spectacular Catalina fly past for the Remembrance 1909 and has had RAF 100 commemoration, which also coincided with Sunday, with a solitary its official home at the anniversary of the coronation of Her Majesty the round being fired to Nijmegen since 1916. Queen. The salutes will return to Hillsborough Castle in mark the 100-year The team had to walk 2019. anniversary of the up to 30 kilometres armistice and to Exercise Sea Trout - highlight ‘the guns fell Falkland Islands silent’ at the end of WW1. The Regimental Annual Deployment Exercise (ADE) took place from 16 November to 2 December. The Battery first travelled to Edinburgh to meet

40 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 41 UNIT SUMMARIES 42 training, thecare ensuring ofbothtrainee andstaffis Resilience Mental andexternal (CBRN) Instructor (AIL) to ChemicalBiological Nuclear Radiological Army Training (ATM), Mentor Leader Army Instructional Army qualificationsrangingmade upofRegular from 12 hoursCPD, staffattended 18career courses mainly within theATU additionto thecompletionof (NI).In respective unitsorpostinto anotherchallenging role continues to progress for either areturn to their set withinATU (NI)butalsoto ensure theircareer staff. This allows themnotonly to enhancetheskill thecareers oftheUnit massive pushinfurthering andpasspercentagesRecruits thisyear hasseena andfiguresBehind theheadlinefacts oftrained Staff Development symposium. andInitial Recruiting Training Command (ARITC) calibre staff,Reserve maintainingthe Reserve Training maintaining a93%passresult. Well doneto thehigh passingoffthe oftheUK, SquareParade whilst parts trained soldiers, 16ofwhichcamefrom across other Phase1 Alpha&two 1Bravo coursesandseeing133 its toes throughout theyear deliveringseven Phase The Unitforecast Company Somme ofevents kept on itself.deployment inBallykinler some ofwhomwould have prepared for their fought by somany soldiersfrom theislandofIreland, Company incommemorationofthebattlefiercely 2018 saw Company therenaming ofInitial to Somme CompanySomme andintheUK. Ireland myriad oftaskshere inNorthern Simon Cassells RIRISHhasledtheunitthrough a didnotdisappoint!Lt Col rhythm….2018 certainly that ATU (NI)in2018would have abusybattle publication,we 12 monthsago, predicted inthisvery IRELAND) (NORTHERN UNIT TRAINING ARMY RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report up attending the Army up attending theArmy award andawarded runner Reserve Trainer ofthe Year Initial Training Group (ITG) year for theprestigious this R IRISHwasshortlisted at theATU NI,L/Cpl Farmer delivered level ofinstruction recognition In ofthehigh demanded by theArmy. standard the benchmark mantra whiledeliveringto huge evolutional change. To ensure and thequality The Army trainingenvironment has undergone a Training Assurance provided by RFCA. kindly polo shirts, Studies, andtheteam were easily identified by their training benefitgainedfrom eachofthese Battle Field day comparisons. modern making There wasahuge stagesofthebattlesand onthehistorical summary 4 mainbattlesto present to thegroup, thengiven a given discussionpointsondifferent ofthe aspects were theparty andauthorRichardDoherty historian lessonsfrom deliveredWith history theexpertly for Cassino Monte whichwasfought in1944. battlefieldstudyoftheBattle a5-day to conduct Italy Queen’s Officer University deployed Trainingto Corps in Cadets from ourcolleagues Officer including two CHALLENGE whereby 20membersoftheUnit AnthonyMaj RIRISHplannedexercise CASSINO the casetoday conflicts. inalmostallmodern fought handinwithothernationswhichisstill Army hasdelivered andhow inprevious they conflicts ofhow theBritish together aboutthehistory to learn A BattleField Studyisauniqueway ofbringing aUnit CHALLENGE CASSINO we do. at thecentre ofeverything the way. of London, with possiblyafew holesalong watering and attending theCeremony inthe ofthekeys Tower Hall, meetingwiththeChelseaPensioners Royal Albert consisted oftheCelebration inthe ofRemembrance R IRISHlaidawreath inremembrance. The itinerary Whitehall. apoignant During momentCplMcKee Paradethe Remembrance heldattheCenotaph on Farmer RIRISHand 8othermembersofstaffattended Day, ofArmistice With 2018beingthecentenary LCpl colours. the Royal Highness, when His of The Duke York presented RIRISHwasalsoonparade the Regiment. CplMcKee years, andthefuture representing of boththehistory at the Titanic slipway. 25 The presentation isheldevery ColoursCommand Presentation for theRoyalIrish held Second-In- privileged asthe tobeselected was Officer ataregional level.the Army Reserve The Commander ATU (NI)managed to squeeze insometimeto support EventsOther counterparts. but alsotheirRegular ATUs forsetting thebenchmark notonlytheReserve been awarded thehighestaccoladefrom Ofsted, in allareas. Reserve This wasthefirsttimea ATU had granting ATU (NI)thehighest grade of “Outstanding!” Inspection the Ofsted Team submitted theirfindings November and inearly outcome ofthereport bated breath for the unit waited with and procedures. The policies with thestrict delivered wasinline training andwelfare the outcome of ensuring feedback, withlive inspectors Stevenson RLC (PSI) and thePermanentInstructor Staff andprocedures Surrounded by Sid policy the2IC,Maj ofallMODtraining. with thelegallybindinginspection of Standards inEducation (Ofsted). The latter istasked Office (ARITC); andfinallythegovernment inspectorate Group (ITG); Initial Army Recruiting Training Command outby Initial 2018,carried during Traininginspections standards oftraining provided, ATU (NI)hadatotal of3 recruits. This provided the to speakwith an opportunity withallstaffandhad contact hadmaximum the inspectors modular course. This ensured 3ofaPhaseweekend 1Alpha during outinOctober carried was The inspection Ofsted oftheUnitMission. delivery IGensured the Laverty WO2 (CMS) (R). (CMS) (R). Syllabus Reserve and updates to theCommon Military increased forecast ofevents, goodpractice sharing Year challenges, new willbring from staffing,an behind, 2019shows nosign ofeasingoff. The New Leaving asuccessfulandexceptionally busy2018 forwardLooking 2019 success oftheunitover thelast2years. In the (PSI). Instructor Staff by thePermanent performed unitistherole Army Reserve An essentialrole withinany training. recruit into Phase journey 1 he continuesto assistthe Assurance Team Recruiting member oftheArmy Reserve environment. Now a asignificant withinthetraining contribution making inall3, CreeWO2 RIRISHhasserved (NISTT), Specialist Ireland and asNorthern Training Team Formerly astheRegional known Training Centre, The origins oftheATU (NI)gobackmany years. Regimental Sergeant Major. and even aLegionnairea finishinghis37 years as Army Regular, asaRoyalMarine, served Reservist the ATU (NI).RSMCrawford RIRISHhadpreviously theirtimeat massivelywho hadcontributed during To endtheyear, we staffmembers dinedoutafew key Moving on Reserve. Army Lord to the Lieutenant Certificates for theirservice Cranston RAMC andLCpl Farmer RIRISHalsoreceived Three RLC, membersoftheUnit, Capt Magee LCpl who parades on Day 1. who parades onDay 1. Recruit Reserve every for training experience provide anunmatched highest standard and to the to perform ATU (NI)willcontinue inthe contribution delivered amassive high level ofmorale, while maintaininga inallareas, practice delivering good fordetermination dedication and IG hisenthusiasm, case of Laverty WO2 RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 43

UNIT SUMMARIES 62 MILITARY INTELLIGENCE 157 COMPANY, 6 MI BATTALION DIVISIONAL

Throughout this training year 62 Military Intelligence SUPPORT Company (62 MI Coy) has continued to develop its COMPANY, role in material and personnel exploitation (MPE). This specialist role 102 progresses alongside The 6 MI Battalion Annual Deployment Exercise (ADE) BATTALION the Army wide Soldier which resulted in saw our troops practice their Basic Close Combat Skills First Syllabus and our REME REME reservists in in a mixture of Rural and Urban conditions, followed generic Intelligence NI being certificated UNIT SUMMARIES by a comprehensive range package developing their UNIT SUMMARIES Corps Military Operator 2018 has been another busy year for 157 Divisional in ‘Motor Cycle marksmanship skills and taking them to a Fire Team training. All in all this Support Company (Div Sp Coy). Throughout this Racing and Technical Assessment challenge. The opportunity for the troops to makes for a busy training year the Company has represented the unit, Scrutineering’. have so much time on the ranges was welcomed by all, training calendar 102 Battalion REME, in several challenges and taken on and one or two talented shots were spotted. allowing our soldiers extra tasks from outside agencies. 157 Div Sp Coy has Once the event came an excellent variety of also set precedence with the first ever Northern Ireland to a close 157 Div Sp Shooting training opportunities led Scouts Engineering Badge. Coy continued to assist, We have also found the throughout the year. helping to transform time to participate in some The anticipated amalgamation from 106 Battalion REME the area from a race track back to its normal state. Our operational shooting We continue to drive the recruiting effort at pace, and to 102 Battalion REME also took place in April and ran assistance throughout the whole event was hugely throughout the year, and we are seeing a steady inflow of top quality candidates as smoothly as expected. As ever 157 Div Sp Coy were appreciated by the organisers, who no doubt hope to are delighted to have one of keen to progress through their Basic Training (no less ready for the challenges that the new role would bring. see the REME team again next year! our Lance Corporals make it than 3 top recruits so far this year). Once they have into the Army Reserve top 50 that under their belt, under the careful guidance of The North West 200 Handover of OC Role shots during the Operational the PSI and our training team, they progress through The International North West 200 is Ireland’s biggest All good things must come to an end and no-one felt Shooting Competition held at their challenging Operator Military Intelligence outdoor biking event in the sporting calendar. It this more than our outgoing OC Maj Gary Ferguson. Bisley. pathway, honing their intelligence skills as they go. attracts crowds in excess of 100,000 over the week, as After 30 years’ service, it was time for him to hang up his This is a pathway which will continue throughout well as the biggest names in motorbike racing. Building beret and handover the reigns of 157 Div Sp Coy to Maj Social, Sporting and Study their Intelligence Corps careers, and we have seen an upon last year’s commitment, 157 Div Sp Coy REME Mark Brotherston. The Company marked the occasion As the Coy forges its intent it sustains its personnel by impressive number of promotions throughout this assisted the organisers, Coleraine and District Motor by dining Maj Ferguson out (and Maj Mark Brotherston encouraging other challenging activities. This aspect training year: 5 newly promoted Cpls and 2 new Sgts Club, with scrutineering and dismantling of the Circuit. in) at Northern Ireland’s most prestigious building, of ‘Coy life’ is where we enjoy social, sporting and study stepping up to swell our middle management and help It has been the fourth year in a row that 157 Div Sp Stormont. A presentation was given to Maj Ferguson gatherings throughout the UK and overseas. Highlights drive the Company onwards. Coy has participated in the event. Soldiers from the and his wife along with fond farewells and messages of include Battlefield Studies including Ex Serbian Spider, Company transformed the 8.9 miles of open road into good luck. A few tears may have been shed but what Army skiing on Ex Northern Eagles Drift in Austria and Training and Operations an International Standard Circuit, which required a lot of happened in Stormont stays in Stormont! A warm and leadership weekends with a zest for Bavarian party 62 MI Coy personnel have availed of some superb work and the co-operation of various local authorities hearty welcome was also given to Maj Mark Brotherston culture! Study opportunities are regularly forthcoming training and operational opportunities throughout and departments. as he takes on his new role as OC of 157 Div Sp Coy. as individuals have attended seminars with the Defence the year. We currently have 3 on operations in Estonia, Cyber School and the Land Intelligence Fusion Centre. Nigeria and Bosnia/ Herzegovina, providing real 157 Div Sp Coy gained valuable knowledge about Bradwell Bowl Competition Sporting events continue to return accolades in Army time intelligence support and thoroughly enjoying the requirements of controlling an event of this scale, Continuing from last year’s success 157 Div Sp hockey, football, running and swimming; often these the challenge of doing so. We have participated on which must cover all eventualities. This ranges from Coy competed in the Bradwell Bowl competition, include charitable ventures which are supported by the Ex Athena Tempest (England), Ex Trident Juncture considering the needs of the farming community which is an engineering innovation and leadership Intelligence Corps Association (ICA). (England, Norway & Belgium) and Ex Panther Strike in to the day to day well-being of the residents in the development competition. The Bradwell Bowl trophy is England (Utah, USA). These exercises allow our soldiers area. While the Company personnel were there to in commemoration of Warrant Officer Class 1 (Artificer Looking Ahead to develop their skills, work alongside their Regular assist the organisers, they also benefitted from some Sergeant Major) JAMES GEORGE BRADWELL Royal Lastly, I would like to comment on our plans for counterparts and experience other Nations’ ways of excellent training and development. On race day Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who was killed the coming months. We have recently attended working – invaluable experience which they have all itself, 157 Div Sp Coy conducted various activities by a bomb at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn, age 43, on 11 some of the sombre events included in the Acts of thoroughly enjoyed. including assisting with the Scrutineering process, October 1996. The competition was held at Transport Remembrance for the Centenary of the Armistice in which involved checking the standard and fit of all the Training Services (TTS), Nuts Corner, Dundrod, a WW1. 62 MI Coy are keen to maintain this ethos by 62 MI Coy is fortunate to be so closely located to 25 MI competitors’ helmets, leathers, boots and gloves as well planning a Battlefield Study linked with Intelligence Coy, part of our twinned Regular Battalion – 2 MI (Exp) as ensuring that the bikes met all of the regulations - Corps ventures during WW2. Our Annual Deployment Bn. We have been able to avail of some superb training “Core REME Stuff”. Having the opportunity to be part Exercise at Longmore this year will have follow-on soldier both being delivered to Company personnel, and on of this fantastic event, 157 Div Sp Coy have yet again first training at STANTA next year, and we will return to Exercise with them. It is a pleasure to work so closely helped to promote the Army Reserves in Northern Utah for Ex Panther Strike with our fully qualified MPE with our Regular counterparts and we are extremely Ireland and, in particular, the REME. 157 Div Sp Coy operators. grateful for their continuing support. have established REME reserve NI as an ‘engineering partner of choice’ for The North West 200 whilst also developing a vocationally mapped certification process 44 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 45 leading, recognised transport training service, which vehicle and the scouts were shown and then performed provides training for Apprentice Auto Body Repair and the related tasks. A hearty lunch was supplied by 152 Apprentice Auto Mechanical Technicians. Four teams RLC during the day where the scouts had a well-earned from 157 Div Sp Coy took part and competed across rest. They could also take the opportunity to look at a range of engineering innovation and leadership other stands that were displayed. The weekend was development stands, resulting in the assessment and an enormous success with every scout obtaining their subsequent awarding of the best performing team badge and a certificate from 157 Div Sp Coy. There is with the Bradwell Bowl Trophy. It is planned to raise the a keen interest in getting more scouts their badge, so competition to a higher level within the newly formed we’ll look forward to what the future holds for this new 102 Battalion REME. venture. Continued Growth B (NORTH IRISH HORSE) The SNIY and in particular B Sqn within the Northern Vocational Training Ex LEOPARD STAR SQUADRON, THE SCOTTISH & Irish context has been recognised as a unit capable UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES This year has seen hugely successful development This year the Battalion travelled over to Sennelager, NORTH IRISH YEOMANRY of sustained growth. Part of this recognition was of innovative practice, whereby 157 Div Sp Coy Germany for the last 2 weeks of September for our the Minister for Reserve Forces visit to NI earlier in 2018 when it was announced that B Sqn is to have can seamlessly map the vocational engineering Annual Camp. The camp was made up of 2 elements. This has been another exciting year for B (NIH) Sqn its establishment increased by a further 16 soldiers. competencies of reservists from their civilian Firstly, each member of the unit went through UVBT SNIY and an important milestone in the Regimental This will be used to capitalise on successes within the employment and qualifications, as a concurrent activity Training that lasted for a week. The programme life. Most notable has been the presentation of the Coleraine detachment. A new troop will be formed to their recruit training, enabling a trade classification simulated Troops moving in convoy, attack situations Guidon to the Regiment in September at the Annual thereby doubling our numbers located on the award, in tandem with and vehicle drills. Each section had 3 soldiers who Deployment Exercise (ADE) in Redford Barracks and Causeway Coast. This is exciting times to be in the successful completion took up a specific role: driver, gunner and vehicle deployment on Field Training Exercise (FTX). of Phase 1 training. commander. It gave everybody the chance to use new ‘Horse’ as we see ourselves grow and push beyond the capacity of our existing accommodation. We look skills, try out different roles and responsibilities and also Guidon Parade forward to working with all the key stakeholders to Scouts Engineering accomplish training that can sometimes be neglected. September 2018 saw the Regiment paraded in front improve the physical infrastructure. Badge NI A worthwhile experience for everyone involved. After of dignitaries and families to receive its first ever While a similar event a cultural day at Wewelsburg Castle the Companies Guidon. After a week of preparation and resplendent Remembering our forefathers has been run over reversed roles. We took up the reigns as a platoon in appearance, the Regiment was presented the This year has been a special one for the entire country in the REME Depot on deployment. We left our location at 0730hrs and Guidon by the Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh, to take pause and remember those who paid the Lyneham, this really notably on the first day it poured down with rain but Councillor Frank Ross. The event was made all the ultimate sacrifice in The Great War. The NIH was no put Northern Ireland that never damped down the morale! Our check point more special due to the support and significant different with 153 laying down their lives between attendance on the day by Squadron antecedent 1914 and 1918. Lt Col Richard Annesley West VC, Regimental associations. Additionally B (NIH) Sqn are DSO (and Bar), MC was the most highly decorated on the REME Engineering particularly grateful to the Regimental Association of Horseman to have paid this price. Representatives map. 157 Div Sp Coy the North Irish Horse and RFCA (NI) for their support from the Squadron and the Regimental Association welcomed 200 NI Scouts into to the event. the unit so that they could gathered both in his home town of Cheltenham and in Carrickfergus where plaques have been laid to accomplish the first ever Exercise Rampant Lion 18 commemorate Lt Col West’s service. Northern Ireland Engineering The second part to ADE was a C2 level combined Scouts Badge. The event was arms FTX. The G2 picture was developed by Looking ahead broken down over 2 days 5 MI loosely following an Eastern Europe type B (NIH) Sqn have a diverse and extremely busy year where we accommodated scenario. This type of environment is where Light ahead. We will soon be taking delivery of the first views itself as having an important role to of our new JACKAL vehicles which will replace the 108 scouts on the was set up and 157 Div Sp play in both understanding and influencing the R WMIK platform that we currently operate from. first day and 112 on Coy were ready to rock and environment. The exercise allowed the SNIY to This will require all soldiers to undergo driver and the second. The day roll. While in the field tasks exercise their FIND, UNDERSTAND and INFLUENCE commander training. Further expansion on Coleraine started off cold but were set. We recovered a capabilities within a highly evolved scenario. As the will step up a key note. Lastly but with equal dry at 0930hrs with all broken down Rover while exercise developed and things became more kinetic, significance as this year’s Guidon Parade, the entire the different Divisions under attack, conducting targets were then handed off to the infantry supplied regiment will parade in Carrickfergus over the last of scouts arriving fire and manoeuvres. A by 5 and 6 SCOTS. into camp and being VOR Drops was sent to weekend in May to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Hitler Line. broken down into 9 our location for repair and Support to Our Paired Unit different sections. The amongst all this we had to The SNIY is paired with the Scots Guards. aim for each day was deploy a section to set up Requests for individuals and small groups of to get every section a new location on the Training area. There were a few reservists has come thick and fast. Troops have had of scouts around the sleepless nights and the final attack pushed us hard but opportunity to exercise in the UAE and on brigade 9 different stands the battle was won and our reward was bacon butties level exercises in UK. Currently we have soldiers under the mnemonic all-round, compliments of the CO and RSM. After this preparing to deploy to Kenya for Ex Askari Storm ‘MECHANIC’. Each year’s adventures 157 Div Sp Coy will be ready and able and one reservist is due to deploy on Op CABRIT stand represented for Canada next year. to Estonia. There will be further opportunities to a different part of a mobilise and deploy to Estonia later in 2019. 46 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 47 UNIT SUMMARIES 48 excellent development is leadershipandcharacter the For Service, market. thosecommitting to further enteras they thehighlycompetitive globaljob we canbethe ‘differentiator’ for graduate students most importantly, theirstudents. We believe that of thebenefitsQUOTC to theirorganisations and influence (bothmanagement andstudentbodies) persuade thoseinpositions ofleadershipand education. hardWe to very tertiary are working QUOTC Ireland across theleadershipofNorthern There for of isamixed thework pictureofsupport University Outreach at Westbury. Selection (OCdts) wishingto facethechallengeofArmy Officer Cadets onOfficer positive impact this ishaving avery already having a positive retentionIn turn, effect. whichis of ourtrainingandeducationaldelivery recruiting we have effort also thequality revamped previous years butintandemwithamore aggressive numbersare Inflow slightlydown from service. presentational challengeofuniformed particular of thetraditional ‘Fresher’s Week’ andbypass the willavoidthis seedofunderstandingearly thechaos OTC ‘offer’Sowing bothinNIbutalsothewiderUK. 12, Lower andUpper VI year pupilsoftheexcellent apparent thatmore hadto bedoneto inform Year Ireland, itwasquickly establishments across Northern EducationalUlster Universities andotherHigher ofQueen’s,focused intake thenew onattracting year. oftheacademicyear, At thestart aswe and we willbe Effort recruiting throughout the andRetention isnowRecruiting theCorps’ Main Recruiting andRetention organisation. bestyoung peopleto thisgreat thevery to attract strive for continuousimprovement ifwe stillwant reputation to guarantee future success–we must can’t afford or to rest onprevious performance our young people’s timeandcommitment. We toin anincreasingly compete for tough market aware thatweexperience, butIamalsovery are that Queen’s UOTC offers a great individual and develop’ Cadets. Iamconfident theOfficer ofchoice’ society ‘University to ‘inspire, challenge delivering theQueen’s UOTC aimofbeingthe asweconsiderable amountofwork move towards forbusy period Queen’s UOTC. There hasbeena The last12monthshave beenanothervery Introduction CORPS TRAINING OFFICER UNIVERSITY QUEEN’S RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report US cadets. made somegreat amongsttheChileanand friends wasmore relaxingThe alpineskiing andthecadets rescue drills. avalanche builtaniglooandpractised training they webbing, Bergan thesurvival andrifles. During on, march withfullkit element includeda14.5km training. ski out winter survival The cross-country andcarrying where spent2weeks they skiing cadets before deploying to theAndesMountains Santiago withtheirfellow ChileanandAmerican and survival. They spent3days acclimatisingin andhow theircadets trainfor Militar winter warfare DYNAMIC OUTREACH for aninsightinto theEscuela July,In Cadetsheadedoff toChileonEx 4Officer Chile Defence Engagement year.Colleges next to include VI Form studentsandFurther Education advising, itisalsohopedto expandthecoverage been agreed Universities. withthetwo With RFCA programme hasalready2019 andthedelivery LiPwillcontinueinto by participants. services results inamuchmore positive ofthearmed view forms. Feedback alsohighlightsthattheprogramme onthestudentfeedback evidenced satisfaction well received,have beenvery withhighlevels of and Effective Communication. Bothprogrammes while the ‘lite’ version covers Leadership, Followership Personal Impact, andPlanning,Time Management Followership, Effective Communication, Positive programme coursecovers sixareas: Leadership, by activities. relevant practical supported The full mix oftheoretical andgroup instruction discussion, recruiting numbers. a comprises The LiPpackage were delivered inNovember to boost inaneffort one-day Centre). addition,two In ‘lite’ courses the Cadet Accommodation inMagilligan Training inMarch (utilising residential package a two-day and andApril day non-residential course inJanuary Ulster Universities. This wasdelivered asathree- training to undergraduates from bothQueen’s and (RMAS) developed Leadership inPractice (LiP) Academy Sandhurst delivered thefullRoyal Military Queen’s UOTC OCdts andstaffagainsuccessfully Leadership-in-Practice (LiP) foundation for asuccessfulcareer start. unquestionable andassociated resilience offers afirm event, OCdts hadto complete in atrainingweekend Castle. atAntrim PrecedingMajesty’s Birthday this for Her Royal GunSalute withtheRoyal Artillery 2018QUOTCOn the22ndApril ina participated Royal Salute Gun the gates ofSandhurst. steps towardsabilities andthedesire thenext to take Cadets confidenceinthemselves andtheir Officer to camp.prior Hopefullythiswillgive someofthe some ofwhomhadlittleornocommandexperience humour. Those incommanddidfantasticallywell, with theirusualunendingenthusiasmandsenseof load,grit by anddetermination thebucket coupled Throughout theCamp, Cadetsdisplayed theOfficer attack. orplatoon zone oftheusualsection the comfort Magilligan. At were timesthey alloperatingoutside on astandard OTC or inBallykinler weekend anything quite achievable unlike schools ofwarfare operations-two andurban about tunnelwarfare week was ‘green’ focused, withthecadetslearning travelling from Aldergrove onanRAFC17. The first deployed to GibraltarontheirAnnualCamp, Cadets from Queen’sEighty-three Officer UOTC Annual Camp take part inanotherRoyal part take three OCdts were to asked Following on from this, misfiring. despite oneoftheguns well, day alldidvery they and cleaningdrills. Onthe including dismantling, firing how to operate thegun couldlearn sothey January Barracks and the Somme Centre. andtheSomme Barracks BCoy took on based at andlearning for aday ofsport Thiepval LIGHTS didpresentof EXNORTHERN anopportunity travel over to Scotland. However, theabandonment whowasdueto to thedisappointmentofeveryone Another highlightfell to Emma,much Storm victim Ex NORTHERNLIGHTS 2019. Queen’s ChallengeCup LIGHTS and Ex NORTHERN will befuture successat squad, itishopedthatthere and witharelatively young was thestandoutperformer opposition. OCdt Monahan strong even againstvery the competitionundefeated, standout successfor QUOTC, withtheteam winning wasthe the traditionalOldCollege Dash.Hockey in football, rugby, netball, hockey, tugofwarand Challenge Cup. This year Queen’s hadteams entered intheannualQueen’s to partake Sandhurst inApril A contingentfrom Queen’s UOTC headedto Queen’s Challenge Cup to Brecon medalsfrom to earn Patrol Cambrian 19. Cadets oftheQUOTCOfficer remaineager to return the andachievement. Despite thissetback, merit throughout. The team were of awarded certificates dropped outandahighlevel ofmoralewasretained Cadet Despite thebadweather notasingleOfficer to reach were teams ifanemergency to develop. fallen trees andlandslideswhichmadeitimpossible and backto camp. This wasdueto floodingand (which includedQUOTC), were offthearea extracted patrol, allteams inthefirstphaseofcompetition Due to CALLUM Storm 16hoursinto andafter the from helicopter crashesto rivercrossings. patrol theteams are ranging facedwithscenarios andleadership. the48hr knowledge During military route. Participants are tested onnavigation, firstaid, ofequipmentover 45kg anarduous 60km carry tests andconsistsofa48hrpatrol where participants considered oneof theworld’s toughest patrolling PatrolCambrian 2018. The Patrol Cambrian is inSouth Sennybridge Wales to compete inthe October,In QUOTC Cadet’s sent8Officer to Cambrian Patrol part. honour to take with many wasafunday peoplewatching. andan It oftheGibraltarregiment intheoldtown,old battery how to operate them. The salute took placeinthe The gunswere thesameasbefore, knew sothey ofEdinburgh’s theDuke Royal Highness Birthday. Gun Salute withtheRoyal GibraltarRegiment for His RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 49 UNIT SUMMARIES the dreaded military swim test in preparation for 2018 Awards part-time Reserves who are employed across a Annual Camp while A Coy had an indoor tag rugby COMEC Leadership Prize broad range of specialist areas, who then deploy as competition to help with preparation for the Queen’s OCdt Natasha Brannan won the COMEC Leadership individual augmentees to participate on operations Challenge Cup. After a few hours and many tries, the Prize across all OTCs; a second year on the trot for and exercises abroad or to backfill posts on Main games came to a halt and the Corps was transported QUOTC. Operating Bases in Great Britain. The Squadron to Newtownards to tour the excellent Somme Centre. Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate currently has a strength of 103 personnel and during The tour was very informative and every OCdt and Capt Roberta Wilkinson received her award after 2018 personnel have voluntarily mobilised to serve staff member learned a lot about the First World War many loyal years of Service at QUOTC. in Crete, Cyprus and the Gulf States in support of and the connections to Belfast and the North Down Operations SHADER and KIPION. An SAC in Crete area. Summary 502 (ULSTER) SQUADRON checked in with the Squadron, saying: “The peeps There is considerable ‘heavy lifting’ to be done in here are great and we have all gelled well together Nijmegen Marches ATTRACTing a critical mass of students to QUOTC. ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE as a group, and being a reservist (there are 4 of us) UNIT SUMMARIES UNIT SUMMARIES Queen’s UOTC entered a team in the Nijmegen We are making headway in developing relationships (RAUXAF) is certainly not a disadvantage. I am not allowed to Marches in 2018, after Qualifying at the Scottish with the Universities to enable this and I am very take any photos, so unfortunately I can’t show you Garelochhead Marches, the main enabling event for confident that we now have a standard of challenge, It has been an especial honour for No 502 (Ulster) where I work or live, but I hope my message will inclusion as part of the British Military Contingent fun and safe training that will ensure we RETAIN Squadron to support a wide range of events during encourage other people in 502 to deploy – it really is (BMC). The team put in an excellent performance those numbers. On a personal level, I continue to 2018, the centenary year of the Royal Air Force. a worthwhile experience and I certainly hope it won’t and, despite the blisters, would highly recommend it! be inspired by the enthusiasm and commitment Squadron personnel have supported some 24 be my last deployment!!” of the young men and women at Queen’s UOTC Ex SOMME FINN as they progress and develop. We will encourage, Corporal Watson, Ex SOMME FINN saw 15 Officer Cadets and staff coach and mentor those who wish to commit to the RAF Police also deployed to the Somme for a very successful AOSB pipeline but the remainder, the ‘critical mass’ volunteered to go to Battlefield Study. The Battlefield Tour focused on are as important. We will aim to give them the same Minhad (Operation former members of the Corps who fell during the opportunities and experience, thereby giving them KIPION). She chose First World War. a positive impression of the Army to take back into to give up her society. A tough but worthy challenge! civilian job at a dog Key Events in 2019 sanctuary to secure Looking ahead to major events in the 2018/19 the opportunity, Training Year, Queen’s UOTC are planning to travel to before mobilising Cyprus for Annual Camp in June 2019 and plans are for 9 months. Other developing for a Ski Exped to France and a Battlefield policing duties Study trip to either Israel or Italy. undertaken by the RAF Police Flight Support to ACFs and CCFs included Air Transport In July 2018, Queen’s UOTC provided a total of 13 Security (ATSy) Officer Cadets to support the two Northern Ireland tasks to support based Army Cadet Force (ACF) Battalion Annual various Defence Camps. Volunteering for the Annual Camps is a Exercises including: popular activity, especially with former school Cadets WARFIGHTER; and feedback from both camps reflected the positive GRYPHUS TRAIL; impact that our Officer Cadets have on the Cadets, CRIMSON EAGLE; SAIF and vice versa. I am planning to continue and events to celebrate and commemorate the historic SAREEA; STILLETO and NORTHERN STRIKE. These develop this positive relationship in 2019. achievements of the Service, both here in Northern were conducted at diverse locations across the Ireland, in Dublin and through participation in the globe: Canada; USA; Germany; the Broader Middle Commissions spectacular parade and flypast in London on 10 East; Asia and closer to home, at Aldergrove Flying I am very pleased to report that Queen’s UOTC has July. These opportunities have allowed us to engage Station in support of Exercise MAYAN STORM. The continued to deliver very credible Officer Cadets with communities across the Province and we have Squadron RAF Police Flight has conducted 36% of all for commissioning at RMAS. This year, Queen’s greatly appreciated the support we have received ATSy tasking allocated to the Reserve component by UOTC has commissioned two officers into the from many local councils who hosted us when they the Force Protection Force, despite having only 8% of Army Reserve and there are two currently on the marked this historic occasion. Yet, as fantastic as RAF the overall RAF Police Reserve manpower. Regular commissioning course. Most encouraging 100 has been, the Squadron has continued to grow Support to the Royal Air Force, Defence and multi- are the further 15 OCdts at various stages in the and remained focused in preparing and releasing national exercises commissioning pipeline and we are continuing to personnel to support the delivery of Air Power, both has been a notable work hard at maintaining the momentum for entry in the United Kingdom and on operations across the feature of the into both the Regular and Reserve RMAS Courses. globe. Squadron’s activity this year, underlining Role and Deployments the ‘Whole Force’ As a General Service Support Squadron, No 502 approach whereby (Ulster) Squadron trains, parents and prepares RAF Reservists

50 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 51 seamlessly integrate into roles at times of crisis to RAF 100 baton on its Northern Ireland leg of a tour of augment their regular service colleagues. Because the United Kingdom, cycling with the lit flame from 502 (Ulster) Squadron members work in a diverse Larne to the Giants Causeway and getting local children range of specialisms – policing, intelligence, flight playing sport involved as they went along. The RAF100 operations, medical, logistics, media and personnel aircraft tour was another significant part of the birthday support – there are many opportunities to enhance commemorations aimed at engaging with the public, and test their skills by volunteering for exercises. encouraging them to get up close to aircraft and get Consequently, 2018 saw participation in Exercises: hands on with STEM aspects of aviation. No 502 (Ulster) SABRE (Croatia); TYPHOON (Qatar); AGILE EAGLE Squadron members were involved in the preparation having the honour of escorting the Prime Minister to and delivery of the Newcastle, County Down leg of (RAF Leeming), and STRATEGIC LEAP (USA). SAC her seat. Crawford, an Intelligence Analyst, deployed on the tour, which despite periods of torrential rain, still attracting members of BAME communities to join the Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE on board USS Mount attracted 17,000 visitors. UNIT SUMMARIES Royal Air Force. Squadron Leader O’Neill received a 1-star UNIT SUMMARIES In Northern Ireland, Squadron members took the Whitney and had two trips into the Arctic Circle. lead role in other major events of the RAF 100 year, Commendation from Commander Medical (RAF) for her She received a letter of thanks from Vice Admiral Engagement and Sport enduring commitment to the Reserve medical services. which were staged at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast; The Squadron provided a Royal Air Force presence Franchetti, US 6th Fleet Commander for superbly the former site of RAF Killadeas with a Royal Gun A 1-star Team Commendation was also jointly awarded filling the role of 2 ranks up. Much closer to home, at Remembrance Services across Northern Ireland, to 6 Squadron members for their achievement in raising Salute manned by two RAF part-time Reserves on taking on the honour of armed ceremonial duty at the the Squadron’s medical specialists participated in the shores of Lough Erne; and Newcastle, County funds to support the RAF Benevolent Fund. Also, at the Exercise RESERVE STEEL (RAF Brize Norton), where Province’s main event at . Many local prestigious annual Allied Healthcare Professions (AHP) Down – a major plus for aviation fans in Northern newspapers carried images they worked alongside American allies undertaking Ireland. On the last Sunday in April, the Squadron Award Ceremony, held at the La Mon Hotel, Belfast, Flt Lt aero medical tasks and operating from a C-17 Globe of Squadron personnel at Wilson was awarded the AHP Reservist Award. This was joined with veterans and their families in a Service these events and there is no Master transport aircraft that was specially fitted out of Commemoration and Celebration at St Anne’s the first year a category recognising an AHP Reservist for the role. doubt the enthusiasm shown was included. Flt Lt Wilson, a physiotherapist, was Cathedral, Belfast. This was a magnificent occasion by Squadron members has attended by the Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Stephen recognized for his work with the tri-service Stammering RAF 100 ensured the public is aware Foundation. As an ambassador for the network, he Hillier and his counterpart from the Irish Air Corps, of the continuing presence RAF100 was the Royal Air Force’s largest and most Brigadier Sean Clancy. No 502 (Ulster) Squadron works tirelessly to promote stammering and coping successful outreach programme focusing on of the Royal Air Force in mechanisms within all three Services. swelled the numbers present in light blue uniform Northern Ireland. commemoration, celebration and inspiration and and the Squadron Warrant Officer, WO Hotson, read Looking Forward drew in new and diverse audiences to engage one of the scripture passages. with and learn about life in the Royal Air Force. The Squadron personnel continue Undoubtedly 2018 has seen No 502 (Ulster) Squadron campaign peaked in July with the 100-aircraft fly-past to represent the Service grow in stature and The Lough Erne event – SEAWINGS – was celebrated on the sports field. During over Buckingham Palace watched by 70,000 people capability and has made by over 1,000 people on 2 June at one of the most the summer, Flt Lt Cordner was part of the RAF 1st 11 on the ground and millions via media devices. itself known across Northern important locations for RAF Coastal Command Hockey Team that toured Japan. The sport is popular in Participating in the march up the Mall and then the Ireland through a myriad of during the Battle of the Atlantic. It was from this the country and they fielded strong teams from both parade below the Royal Balcony were members of community engagement location at 03:45 on 26 May 1941 that two Catalina the military and civilian world. No 502 (Ulster) Squadron. events driven by the RAF flying boats from 209 and 240 Squadrons took off 100 celebrations. Squadron in search of the Bismarck, which had sunk the HMS Adventurous Personal Development Training personnel have continued They went through extensive ceremonial training Hood the day before. Catalina “Z” from 209 Squadron The Squadron continues to exploit adventurous at RAF Halton before the high-profile event. It was to volunteer for a diverse piloted by Flying Officer Biggs reported its sighting training to develop leadership, team-building and range of exercise and an incredible place to be as one of the Squadron of the Bismarck at 10:26 and this enabled the unit cohesion. During August, 12 officers and SNCOs members commented: “We had been told that operational tasking, and in Royal Navy to intercept and destroy the battleship. participated in CYMRU EAGLE at the Robson Resilience all cases their performance Squadron personnel were delighted to be involved Centre in the Brecon Beacons. Activities undertaken has attracted nothing but praise from the Regular as the Squadron was itself a highly effective and included high-rope challenges, canoeing, hill walking units they have served with or alongside. Looking decorated Coastal Command squadron during WW2. and most daunting of all, caving – this involved 5 forward, 2019 promises no let-up in the commitments Several Squadron members undertook a unique hours underground negotiating obstacles in extremely placed upon the Squadron. With an ever-increasing training opportunity and learned how to work as gun cramped and wet conditions. Everyone involved agreed number of personnel achieving Combat Ready status, teams alongside Royal Artillery Reservists and fired that the 5 days of activity was a terrific learning and our contribution to the delivery of Air power is set to field guns in a Royal Gun Salute to commemorate the personal development experience that encapsulated increase. The Squadron is scheduled to be presented 65th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty one of the real advantages of being a Reservist in today’s with a new Squadron Standard in early 2019. This will be The Queen. They had undertaken training with 206 Royal Air Force. both a proud and historic occasion for the Squadron. It (Ulster) Battery, Royal Artillery at Newtownards over will serve to strengthen the ethos, identity and cohesion several weeks and Honours and Awards amongst the Squadron members who strive to emulate thoroughly enjoyed In recognition of their hard work and commitment in the achievements of their forebears on what was the first walking up the Mall with thousands watching the opportunity to fire supporting the Squadron Part-time Reserve cohort, would be an experience of a life-time. They were Squadron to be established by the Royal something larger than Flight Sergeant Taylor and Corporal Ferguson received Air Force in 1925. absolutely right, as we marched up with the Palace an SA80. individual 2-star Commendations from Air Officer in sight, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, Commanding No 1 Group. Squadron Leader Cairns was it was something I will never forget.” At the Service Two Squadron also awarded a 3-star Commendation by the Deputy of Commemoration at Westminster Abbey, two members also took Commander Operations (RAF) for his work in developing Squadron members acted as senior ushers with one part in carrying the a recruitment video and media campaign aimed at 52 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 53 54 RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report CADET SUMMARIES

Royal School Armagh Combined Cadet Armagh ForceRoyal School CombinedRoyal BelfastAcademical Cadet Force Institution Combined School Cadet Force High Lisnagarvey Foyle College Combined Cadet Force Campbell College Combined Cadet Force CombinedBangor GrammarSchool Cadet Force FORCES COMBINED CADET Ireland WingNorthern AirCadets BattalionArmy Cadet Ireland) Force2nd (Northern BattalionArmy Cadet Ireland) Force1st (Northern Cadets Sea District Ireland Northern CADETS SEA DISTRICT IRELAND NORTHERN from the previous 6years with atotal of226cadets atNational Competitions Ireland representing Northern This year we exceeded Cadets thenumberofSea Competitions assisting ingovernanceyou will. thenperhaps through nauticaladventure. thewater doesn’t If attract volunteers fun withtheemphasisbeingonserious new Despite oursuccesswe are always seeking actively demand for training. localwaterborne representation atnationalcompetitionlevel andanew brought aboutanincrease intrainingbutalsolocal Ireland. now have 25inNorthern This hasnotonly provision oftheRSQuestSailingDinghy ofwhichwe Cadets are enjoying and Marines actively therecent Cadet Detachments.400Sea Some Royal Marines Cadets,in theSea unitsincluding3 with12active We are ofgrowth enjoying asustainedperiod locally Ourcadetsunequivocally one thingisfor certain. are capacity wideandfarreaching butwhenembraced The demandsontoday’s CFAVs allbeitinavoluntary this asavolunteer we treasure so. andrightly isthemomentslike withit.It that adulthoodbrings into challenges theircareers andfacingtheeveryday oflife embeddedonthejourney well often and clearly a grown upyoung manorwoman, now remembered on to the next generation. on to thenext hope thatoneday itispassed delivered butalsointhe isindeed cadet experience of timeinorder thatthe an unquantifiableamount of individualswhogive up amazing andfantasticbunch daily commitmentfrom an only asadirectresult ofthe possiblebut experience get theabsolute bestcadet hits you. There before you, is and name, reality thestark remember theex-cadet’s face to of panic, whilsttrying measure. thatmoment In “Hello Sir” thrown infor good shoulder followed by a taponthe the customary will nodoubthave had been around for awhile T hose CFAVs whohave for the top sporting unit in Northern Ireland. unitinNorthern for thetop sporting top Cadet Unitand Sea TS EAGLE theAmaryllis Trophy Ireland has beenawarded theNorthern Trophy for the We are pleased to announce that TS BROADSWORD Celebrating Success to goto seafor theday. includinganopportunity Navy we have hadthisyearopportunities to visittheRoyal We thankfulfor theseveral are particularly allows usto dowhatwe do. provided to uslocallybysupport HMSHIBERNIAthat andwe areparent especiallygrateful service, for the We wouldn’t Cadets withoutanautical betheSea The Royal Navy Area. the highestamountofseatimewithinNorthern with alocalunitfor thepastnumberofyears gaining to avail ofoffshore trainingintheentire organisation We have incadetswishing oneofthehighestuptakes voyage onher. had previously availed ofa the shipby localcadetswho public were shown around some 1500membersofthe FestivalMaritime where TS Royalistfor theBelfast thisyear to have lucky around theUK. We were nauticalcolleges into various who have beenaccepted Ireland Cadets from Northern has recently been capitalisedonby anumberofSea voyages thatonaverage lastfor 7days. This experience alife to experience cadets withtheability atseafor provides our Cadets (MSSC) Sea Society The Marine Offshore Experience expandingtheexperience. competition further willhavecompetition andin2019they theirswimming have ownolds) andthey football already hadtheirvery competitions to Cadets (10–12-year ourJuniorSea Locally onintroducing we our are working actively Cadets andRS. with theSea sailingdinghy incollaboration purpose-designed new introduction oftheRSZesta into Cadet fleet- theSea deployed inthecompetitionand2019willsee This wasthefirst year where theRSQuestwasfully people. young fromand Sailinganoutstandingcontribution our inFootball, Rowing part having taken Drill, Kayaking, Zulu! Awards.Gold Bravo of Edinburgh Duke completion oftheir Cadet Unitonthe from BangorSea Chloe, EllenandAime to cadetsCharlotte, Special congratulations RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 55

CADET SUMMARIES CADET SUMMARIES 56 in Warsaw, andboththePolish and ourcadetsdid our previous Polish visitors, Embassy inthe British Poland, where we renewed ouracquaintancewith Battlefield Tour Gdansk,to in Krakow Warsaw and ina and alarge numberofcadetstook part WW2 to Londontrip to watch the theColour’,‘Trooping Cadets andCFAVs successful from ACoy hadavery Andrea Kerr. for the7thyear inarow, undertheguidanceofLt team won Competition theNationalACF Hockey skills. shooting andmilitary The NIACF Girls’ hockey competitions, including andmilitary both sporting The Battalionhashadconsiderablesuccessin Beach. atBlackpool’s Pleasureout underclosesupervision Instructors’ Course. The cadetshadanenjoyable day 38X Cadet Cadet rana Senior Training Team (CTT) out,across theACFwas carried ‘star’ syllabus, and andadventure training ofmilitary A widevariety night. in allouractivities, includinganOfficers’ MessDinner national cadetexpansionprogramme, andtook part oftheirplansforour cadetmovement a aspart uniquely had ‘4 stars’ ashisrank. They were studying a Command from Sergeant Major theirArmy, who from Poland’scivil servant ofDefence and Ministry Branch, Regional Command. We alsohosted asenior Brigade, plusanumberofofficers from Cadets Chief Executive RFCA(NI)andSO2Cadets, 38(Irish) Brigade, PresidentCommander 38(Irish) ACFA, Lieutenant for Borough theCounty ofLondonderry), Colonel (theLordwas visited by ourHonorary at Altcar, inJuly. outsideSouthport, The Camp enjoyable AnnualCamp took place and avery Training Centre, Magilligan,for ouryounger cadets, A well-attended Easter Camp washeldattheCadet 18 years. orreachedinto theupperagelimitof theworkplace, education, the summerto move onto higher/further recruiting to replace during thosecadetswholeft 19. Ourmaineffort for thepast3monthshasbeen Cadet Brigade (Irish) inFebTraining Team (38XCTT) Course runby 38 training ontheAdvanced Induction batch willcomplete ofadultinstructors their further Courses. A Induction on theBasicandIntermediate potential currently undertraining adultinstructors adult instructors, and826cadets, withanumberof vibrant andwell recruited with41officers, 110 for 1st(NI)BattalionACF. The Battalionremains busyandsuccessful year hasbeenanextremely It Unit Summary FORCE BATTALION ARMYCADET 1ST (NORTHERNIRELAND) RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report the Princess Royal, Princess Anneinattendance. The ofState’sthe AnnualSecretary with Garden Party were in invited to part Castle Hillsborough to take On 4September, allofourLord ’ Cadets retirement.earned andwishhimwellprofessional inhiswell- service long, dedicated andhighly sincerely thankhimfor his commissions asofficers. We have subsequentlyobtained instructors, andsomewho to theBattalionasadult of whomhave returned over thislongperiod, many responsible young adults has helpeddevelop into of cadetswhoCol Kane wonder atthethousands to theACF, andonecanonly This isasignificant (Royal Artillery). record ofservice potential instructor, leaving Army after theRegular with theBattalion,having originally joinedasa MBE Donaldson 32years’ nearly VR DL,after service handedoverDavid commandto Kane, Col Adrian On 1Aug ourCommandant for thelast5years, Col great for experience thoseinvolved. programme thesummermonths, during whichwasa annual RoyalCanadian Army Cadet Exchange Three cadetsandoneCFAV were for selected the experience. meaningful Pilgrimage, findingit to beamostmoving and inanACFA cadetstook part Other organised Somme the2nd whichstarted Worldoutside Gdansk, War. made to attackon thesiteGerman ofthefirst Poland, on allinvolved.had amajorimpact Avisitwasalso Auschwitz Concentration Camp, andDeath which educational andthoughtfulday wasspentat presentations moving, and exchanged gifts. Avery Lord Challenge onboard Britain the Dannatt Round McGaughey, ofhertimeonthe Megan who spoke heard from BallymenaDetachment’s Cadet Sergeant changing hadcoped with. event they The audience in whatever sphere oflife are they involved in,orlife designed to encourageandinspire women to succeed Council inBallymena Town Hall. The event was andEastAntrim andheldby theMid Antrim, County Women’ event organised by theLord Lieutenant of represented theBattalionat Ages Seven of ‘The On 7thNovember, 5female cadetsfrom CCompany events are currently beingplanned. used extensivelyby thecadetsandfuture centralSTEM whicharenow STEMkits, being inpossessionofnew Cadets Silver Award.the Industrial The Battalionis All cadetswhocompleted thecampwere awarded Corps, andaLandCombat Power visit/demonstration. oftheArmy,technical corps includingtheArmy Air forexperience thecadets, visitingalmostevery Plain. Salisbury What wasto unfold wasanincredible week-long 2018STEMCamp at Westdown campon ACF/CCF cadetsandCFAVs from around theUKat Montgomery, CCompany, joinedwithcirca 200other 27ACF cadetsfromOn 21Oct, NI,ledby Lt Shirley demonstrable highskills! a justreward for trainingand alltheirhard work, in 27years, muchto thedelightofallinvolved, and for theBattalion,andfirsttime for thecompany The Calcutta Cup wasone by ACompany, agreat result with hismotherasguestsofACFA. Dinner inLondon inNovember, whichheattended formally presented withhisprize attheACFA Annual tremendous achievement athisyoung age, and was (national) BAEAward for Excellence inFirst Aid, a Cadet CSgtEthan Wilson, BCompany, won the persons. developing leadershipandteamwork inyoung Scotland. areThe bursaries specificallyaimedat andLoch Eli, District bound coursesintheLake enablingthemto attendBacon bursaries outward The cadetswhowon Battalionhadtwo Matthew speak to thePrincess Royal. thoroughly enjoyed andmany theexperience gotto specific guests to meetthe Royal. Princess Allofthem cadets were thelocationsof involved inmarking for over £14,000raisedmainly by thecadets, ably pleasedtowere beableto handover very a cheque forThe theyear BattalionCharity wasAutism NIandwe their future careers. educationand will standthemwell inhigher/further PowerPoint presentations, which andpublicspeaking, 2nd Ateam, taking competition, withCullybackey Heroes Competition, andsecondintheoverall Brigade’s ofthe38(Irish) 1st intheACF section Local Finally, on01December, Bteam came Cullybackey award hasbeenmadeto anACF CFAV intheUK. volunteering withtheACF. This isthefirsttimethatthis for herdedicationandoutstandingrecord of won Citizen aBritish Award Recognition’ of ‘Certificate Secondly, inlate November, SSIAmandaRoxborough, their environment. andthecommitmentof ouryouth Ireland to Northern significantbrings recognition andcredit to the ACF in events.community Winning thisnationalaward and deliver aprogramme of ‘clean ups’, andother the cadetsandtheiradultinstructors, to organise required asignificant amountofcommitmentfrom ofothercadetservices. live, This enlistingthesupport to maintainingtheirlocalenvironment where they Award won Muir they theJohn for theircontribution unbeatable runofrecent successes. Firstly, inOctober, CCompany, Detachment, The Cullybackey have hadan area, Hall. includingalarge contingentatBelfastCity and CFAVs allover theBattalion inservices took part Sunday,On Remembrance large numbersofcadets Antarctic. from coasttoArmy women coastacross whoskied the disabled soldiers, andfrom the ‘Ice Maidens’, ateam of Lord Nelson Tall Ship, alongsideothercadets and research, preparing in valuable skills very provides themwith considerably, and our cadets’ confidence competition increases in 3rd place. This Company, came A Detachment, trick’, a 1stBattalion ‘hat section. To complete place intheACF RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 57 CADET SUMMARIES CADET SUMMARIES 58 As usual the support from RFCA NI,theChiefExecutive As usualthesupport from RFCA Support .and Grammar inEnniskillen some ofourissues, particularly maintenance fundingcanbemade in2019to address 2nd Bn’s buthopethatanallocationofproperty CTC, andtheneedforpriorities, for capitalworks new the fully appreciate andacceptRFCA’s capitalexpenditure have to becalledoutwhencompaniesare training. I installed, staffdon’t sothatpermanent continually from aremote access ‘smart’ control modulebeing with theheatingatweekends, whichwould benefit a ‘refresh’, problems plusitcontinues to experience facility,modern is now becoming ‘tired’ andneeds refresh aswell. whichisanexcellent and OurCTC, and badlyneedrefurbishment, butothersneeda are substandard inparticular Grammar Detachments locations.Detachment andEnniskillen Ballymoney outinour Cadet be carried Training or Centre (CTC), maintenance hasbeenableto proactive property pressures little inthepastyear meanthatvery given theirlimited resources. That said, budgetary well, been considerable, andRFCAmaintainitvery budget, theinvestment inourestate inthepasthas general, thepressure considering In onthedefence Estate year, includinginGBandGibraltar. the widelyoutsideoftheBattalionduring performed uswell, band, buthas whichhasnotonlysupported and professional Director andexcellent ofMusic few), to pluswe have are lucky suchacommitted a andDofE(toshooting, namejust firstaid, sport staff andthoseCFAVs involved suchas inactivities cadets. The support sameappliesto ourpermanent for meetings, are supervising whenthey notactually updating records, andpreparing lectures/training, or spendonadministration,planning, of timethatthey responsible adults,amount andcaring andtheactual of theirspare time to helpourcadetsdevelop into basis, mostlyunpaid,weekly andgive upsomuch officers and CFAVs, whocontinue a to volunteer on professionalism, dedicationandenthusiasmofour humbled, by theconsiderablecommitment, grateful. conscious, andfrequently Iamalsovery NI, ACFA for whichwe are extremely NI,and38XCTT Brigade, RFCA from Cadets Branch38(Irish) support theyear,During theBattalionhasreceived considerable regional charity! achievement, whichwillprovidea significant help to A considerable done to allinvolved! Well locations. around ourBattalion ride cycle charity staff whodida2-day by ourpermanent instructors, butalso assisted by theiradult RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report

to ourcadets. providing the highestlevel in2019 ofCadet Experience The Battalioniswell placedandready to continue from 30June–10July2019. at Otterburn Magilligan, andAnnualCamp 2019, whichwillbeheld Planning isnow ongoingfor ourEaster Camp at present Commissioning new scrolls to ACF officers. otherawardCadets andvarious winners, andto Colonel, for recentlyHonorary Master two qualified hold anAwards presentation inthepresence ofour toLooking thefuture, on 5 Jan19theBattalionwill Look forward to 2019 thatwehigh level ofcadetexperience provide. considerably more difficult a forus tomaintain such are envious of. itwould be Without thisclosesupport, receive, someofmy colleaguesinGB whichIknow and hisstaff, that we andtheoutstandingsupport relationship we have withtheChiefExecutive ofRFCA consciousoftheexcellent working I amvery place for ourcadets. involved,mitigate therisks theBattalionasafer making development for ourCFAVs, andhelpedusto further assurance andgovernance, provided additional course for CFAVs. This greatly assisted withour presenters to provide afree Level 2Safeguarding forRFCA NIarranged oneofNI’s top Safeguarding provide asafe environment for ourcadets. This year, considerable amountofourtimeto ensure thatwe our greatest upa risks, andsomethingthattakes Safeguarding istheBattalion’s top priority, oneof training. Induction Battalion, someofwhomare now well into theirAdult over 50applicationsofinterest from adultsto jointhe oftheyear whichsaw Campaign atthestart Marketing note Strategy. wasthe particular and Marketing Of NI Comms Team to implementtheRecruitment closelywiththeRFCA very The Battalionhasworked year, lastyear, Rome year). next andBerlin in(Polandof cadetshave been able to participate this also organised an annualtrip, whichalarge number that never getquestioned, butgetpaidfor. They have adult volunteers, aswell ashundreds ofotherissues for locations, ourDetachment for thetravel claimsfor resources for ourvansandminibuses, for theheating impacted. RFCAhave alsoprovided thefundsand good timeto ensure thatcadet traininghasnotbeen repairs that allemergency have beenrectifiedin RCFA have ensured for activities, various the form ofgrants in financial support from theconsiderable been excellent. Aside Chief Executive, has theDeputy particularly and allhisstaff, well attended wasa by cadets from theBattalion.It toThe Poland RFCANI-ledcadettrip wasextremely RFCA NIPoland Trip andhiking. canoeing, biking included a23day expeditioninvolving cycling, training exercise BrunswickinCanada inNew which ina6week adventureCpl Adam Leckey took part CadetUK Army Exchange to Canada Bergmanis. Raimonds and theDefence Minister cadets were visited by President Raimonds Vejonis Poland,relations withUkraine, and Estonia, andLatvia time ever. The exchange wasaimedatdeveloping a team of30othercadetsfrom theUKfor thefirst inthisweek-longtook exchange part with to Latvia wastheonlycadetfrom NIwho Sgt Jonny Erskin Ex BalticGuard andPeter Drinkwater Millsopp. Harry This exchange wasattended by Cadets Leoni Scott, commences witha Tactics Camp atHolcombeMoor. and and theRoyal Canadian Army Cadets (RCAC) annual exchange theUKCadet between Forces Ex Tiger Leader istheUKhosted elementofthe Ex Tiger Leader Foreign &National Exercises reflected throughout this report. has adopted over thepastnumberofyears whichis events andoutward leaningstrategy theBattalion innational demonstrated inourparticipation clearly and challenging programme to ourcadets. This is no way hindered to deliver ourability arewarding on ourfinancesatthebeginning ofthe year thisin to our853cadets.experience Despite atightening ensure thatwe have to deliver thecapacity thecadet dedicated Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) locationsour205highlytrainedand Detachment to 10differentRegiments spread or Corps across 37 BelfastandLisburn. Down, Armagh, With affiliations withinCounties oftheACF Charter on allaspects BattalionACF Ireland) aims to deliver (Northern inCarryduff, 2nd With itsBattalion Headquarters Introduction FORCE BATTALION ARMYCADET 2ND (NORTHERNIRELAND) ski trip abroad trip to Sarajevo ski everthe first Battalion-led Ex Cadet Snow Finn was Ex Cadet Snow Finn Embassy.British in Gdansk, Warsaw andthe cadets to sites visithistorical for the fantastic opportunity Officer cadetspassing Officer off. generationof to witnessthenext a great opportunity McMaster, Hamilton Jessica andJackGavan. This was McCall, Lt Capt Mark Tina Giovannoli andCadets Ryan Sandhurst (RMAS) wasattended this year againby The Sovereign’s Academy Parade atRoyal Military Sovereigns Parade +51Xcadets. Anderson, McCartney Congratulations to Morrow, Cadets McGrath, Murphy, control andplatoon. andadministrationsofasection battleprocedures,skills, orders, commandand (October). The courseaimsto develop leadership Plain inStMartins andLondonBuddon (April) District with cadetsattending courseswith51XinBarry Attendance ontheCLC wasupontheprevious year Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) County. number ofcadetsever to attend from aBattalionor CadetsMaster thisyear alonewhichisthehighest theBattalionareSubject pleasedto have had17 Cadre andFieldcraftInstructors asaProgressive to Cadet cadetswhoachieve 4-starviatheSenior administrative responsibilities of4-starcadets. Open broaden anddevelop leadership, and instructional The Cadet Master Course wasestablishedin1989to Master Cadet Course equipmentintheworld. military usingsomeofthemosthigh-tech STEM experts challengesdelivered byhands-on theArmy’s leading provided ofpresentations cadetswithaseries and exercise wasdelivered by Regional Command and from theBattalion,headedby Capt Neal White. This contingent with17ofthe28NIcadetsattending introduced 3years agoandthisyear saw ourbiggest which we have beeninvolved withsinceitwasfirst exerciseEx STEMChallengehasbeenanon-going Ex STEMCHALLENGE National Events from RFCANI. including significant financialsupport was onlymadepossibledueto anumberofgrants was overall successfulexercise anextremely which successfulBattlefieldconcluded withavery Tour.It Foundationawarded aSki Level andit 1certificate withsuccessfulcandidates being trip was a5day ski Bosnia andwasattended by 24ofourcadets. This RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 59 CADET SUMMARIES CADET SUMMARIES 60 National Championships andstrived for successon continued toRegional field Teams into the ACF remit,being addedto we theACF have Sporting front. strength onthesporting With sports new Battalion hascontinuedto gofrom strength to Following year in2017,the asuccessfulsporting Sports Festival. Chocolate by theHalifax)andalsoKillyleagh Children’s Hospiceraising £991(whichwasmatched bag packat Tesco Ireland onbehalfoftheNorthern at theBelfast Tattoo; ina part andFCompany taking to raise£4,100for theArmy Benevolent Fund (ABF) Waterfront HallinBelfast;EandHCompanies helping in theFestival part inthe ofRemembrance taking to for raisemoney static cycle theRBL; ECompany ina 100 mile part with taking Detachment ACF. inmany suchevents The Battaliontook part promote anddevelopment ofthe thefunction community, and activities engageinworthwhile thelocal a muchbroader commitmentto serve of itispart whichmustbe undertaken, subject asyllabus Not onlyisCadet intheCommunity Community Engagement andbroughtBrigade homeaSilver Medal. funding from RFCA,theBattalionrepresented the Cadet Force calendarandthisyear, withgenerous This isthemostarduous Patrol Competition inthe Cadet Cambrian Patrol fabulous effort. They raisedover themwhichwasa £4000between to menand Cardiffwomen. legwithinjured service sailingfor 10days ontheBelfast and LauraMartin Crichton, Hughes Matthew Lucy Griffith, Charlie the Lord Nelsonandincluded2ndBattalioncadets This wasavoyage ofremembrance around on Britain Lord Dannatt’s RoundBritainChallenge RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report with SSI Jonathan with SSIJonathan Wallace whowasoneofthe Escort JulyandAugust Course during along Marksman attending theCanada Exchange Phase 2Fullbore Meeting (NICRM); Cadet the NICadet Rifle Taylor at theACF Smallbore Cadet 100;GCompany winning included 11cadetsobtaining theirCadet 100badge Stevenson andSISimonRafferty. The highlights Lt Paul Chapman,SSIAlana SSIRobert Workman, his dedicated Sleator, team includingCaptain Karen Cooperunder theleadershipofCaptain and Charlie The Battalionhadyet anothertremendous year Shooting consecutive year atAltcar. crowned Championsfor ACF NationalHockey the7th The cadetsfrom bothBattalionswere onceagain Girls Hockey the overall winners. team achievedJunior Girls goldandwere crowned against otherregions the from Overall across theUK. and againcadetsfrom bothBattalionscompeted took placeatAltcar andorienteering Cross country andOrienteering Cross Country number ofgold, silver andbronze medalwins. the day andcelebrated a muchenjoyed cadets very celebrations. the Overall the RAF100centenary of a strong team aspart 2nd Battalionputforward Athletics RAF100 possible. opportunity every Ceremony atRMA Sandhurst. was presented to SIPaul Whitcombe ataGraduation The Level 5Award inLeadership andManagement &GuildsLevelCity 5Award Vocational Qualifications Walker (Killyleagh). (Grosvenor) andfor Co wasCadet Down CSgt Toni McMaster for ofBelfastwasCadet CSMRyan theCity Lieutenant’s Cadet addition theLord SSI Paul Boyle. In McParland and Barron, SSIJohn Cooper, SMIMorris Captain Charlie were received by Merit of Certificates Lord Lieutenants’ Certificates Lord Lieutenant Competition. Skills Guards ACFCommander Military intheIrish Section Griffith wonBest Cadet RSMCharlie Competition Success ofEdinburgh Duke Award.their Gold CadetMaster awards andonewaspresented with presented 22cadetswiththeir4Star, 5received GillianBingham of Co Antrim, Sheriff High VRFRGS Ceremony Centre where inLisburn the atIslandArts The Battalionhosted theirbestever Awards Notable Events Under 19team inMarch 2019. to withtheGB being selected goto Africa South Cadet RifleBritish Team in August 2018,withboth Company ofthe to selected tour Canada aspart from E Richmond and Stewart Corporals Officers; equivalent qualification. many young peoplewere awarded aCGCE level A*-C atthattimeandweCounty are delighted thatso by anACF was thelargest numberundertaken andfinancedusingLIBORfunding.by CVQO This Annual Camp. This initiative isanew beingdelivered andpassedby 66 cadetswhoattended undertaken The Level 2 Young Leader Awards were successfully Institute ofLeadership andManagementLevel 2 RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 61 CADET SUMMARIES CADET SUMMARIES 62 Sqn which sufferedSqn a Carrickfergus wasone have 20+cadets. cadets and4Sqns have3 Sqns 35+ haveSqns 40+cadets, for well over 2 ayear; 70+ cadetnumbers have retained their Sqn 2018. 817Lisburn from 408to 429in increased marginally Cadet Numbershave team. the RFCAMedia with theassistanceof launched inJan2019 campaign to be staff recruitment problematic however thiswillbeaddressed witha ofstaffinsomeareasRecruitment hasproved to be number ofUniform staffwithinthe Wing. appointed SNCOs. This hasalmostdoubledthe atOASC and12newly 3awaiting interview further 2018 thewinghashad2successfulCommissions, a hasbeensteadyRecruitment inregards to staff.In The People these 2closures. detached flights(DF)in2019willcompensate for intheBelfastarea,Sqns however plansto form 2 are 2017saw Sqns; theclosure closedSchool of2 NIW hasatotal of15Squadrons ofwhich2 (Sqns), realised in2019. early detachedflightswhich open 2new we hopewillbe premises intheFermanagh andPortadown areas to high standard by RFCANI. The ATC ispursuingnew isingoodconditionandmaintainedto a All property Infrastructure commemoration oftheending WW1. March andattendance atremembrance and and thanksgiving atStAnne’s Cathedral Belfastin ofCelebration Ireland, namely theRAF100Service oftheRAFinNorthern many events insupport Force. The Cadets andStaffwithinthe Wing attended year, more soduetheCentenary Year oftheRoyal Air (ATC) successfulandbusy hashadyet anothervery oftheAir Ireland TrainingWingNorthern (NIW) Corps CADETS WING AIR IRELAND NORTHERN RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report a current First AidQualification,17CFAV completed As allCadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV) must have Aldergrove. AwarenessResilience Course heldatFlying Station NIW staffattended theRAFACMental Health& IrelandRegion, afirst Scotland andNorthern In for Staff Development commencing flight testing. Syerston itbefore andtheLAAwillinspect Post RIAT to RAF 2018theaircraft wastransported Vorderman. Group CaptainPitchforth; Carol andourHonorary David Jordanian HeadofBoeingdefence prince; UK, many visitors includingPrince Faisal Husseinthe explained theirinvolvement intheproject to the on staticdisplay to themembersofpublic. Students Air International Tattoo where (RIAT), theaircraft was spent aweek atRAFFairford, homeoftheRoyal Once theaircraft wascompleted, theproject team (Avionics).Jennings Cunningham (Engineering) andCGI Michael Robert Mark Off Officer),Officer), Fg Fulton CGI (Engineering Ldrunder theguidanceofSqn Aaron Coulter (Project to assembleaStingS4ultralightaircraft from kit The cadetsfrom across ofthe 15Sqns Wing worked aircraft. many teenage aircadetsbuildinganultralight anexcitingPROJECT, programme new thatfacilitated completion oftheBOEINGCENTENNIAL WINGS One ofthe Wing’s great successesin2018wasthe CentennialProject Wings numbers. theircadet hasmanagedto 18theSqn triple Sep great lossin2018,butwithalot ofhard since work were awarded Blues. Corps Cadets were awarded Regional Bluesand2Cadets NI Wing awarded 44Cadets their Wing Blues, 7 Organisation inNationalCompetitions. 2 Cadets were to selected represent theAirCadets Cadets represented theRegion and withintheCorps; (S&NI));42 Ireland andNorthern Region (Scotland represented NIWagainsttheother Wings in our these, 110 within the Wing. Of Cadets intotal from Squadrons -165 representing their increase inCadets season saw alarge The 2018Sports Sports Award, aFirst inNIW. CommunicatorGold his Squadron earned Award. Flight Sergeant Ruddellof2004(Ballynahinch) Award and15achieved theirBronze Communicator year. 48cadetsachieved theirBlueCommunicator Cadet more achieving than3Blueawards eachthis successfulwithallcadetsresulting ineach been very The progressive BlueBadgetrainingsyllabushas Cadet Development andExperiences RAF Cranwell. Course at Induction Courses Staff andSenior Initial designed to assistallCFAVs to attending prior Officer washeldinAldergrove;weekend itisacourse The first Pre-Adult Training (ATF)Facility training FieldcraftInstructors. Training New and2 resulting Officers ExConducting in4New training to cadets, offieldcraft enable delivery training A groupto ofstaffsuccessfully undertook the Wing in2019. willbewarmly welcomed by allwithin L144 SBTRrifle Training. ofthe Ireland The inNorthern recent arrival outtheDangerous Awareness Goods carried Small Bore Target (SBTR)and12CFAV Rifle have 16 CFAV have L144Cdt beentrainedonthenew (AED) Operator award. Automatedachieved thenew Defibrillator External First Ambulance(SJA)Activity the StJohn Aidand4 Swimming. The final results Cox records set2 Corps in in ourregion. Cadet Andrea NI againsttheotherwings competitions representing competes inatotal of9 theyear,During the Wing Ambulance attheRADAR Centre inBelfast. FirstIreland AidCompetition organised by StJohn represented Sqn 817 Lisburn the Wing ataNorthern First- Activity Aid. and8Cadets completed SJA Foundation Heartstart First Aid, 150+Cadets Heart achieved British 54 Cadets Ambulance (SJA) achieved StJohn Youth First Aid Achievements place. expeditions taking awards achieved across the Wing, withsomegreat Edinburgh bronze awards, 4silver awards and4gold of amazing achievement. And2018saw 19Duke Netherlands…100 milesin4days, whichisan marches inthe intheNijmegen part Adventure. Ateam ofintrepid NIcadetsalsotook NI Mountain intheAnnualMourne Wing took part Cadets inFebruaryBavaria from andselected around from across in for theCorps somedownhill skiing Cadets from joinedcadets 1137,1919and2004Sqns Adventure Training Wing Athletics 4th. 2nd;Inter Hockey Wing JuniorNetball2nd;Inter Inter Wing Football Senior 2nd;Inter Wing Senior 4th;Inter Cross Country Wing Netball2nd; Senior Football 3rd; Inter 1st;Inter Wing JuniorHockey Wing were: Inter Wing Swimming2nd;Inter Wing Junior RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 63 CADET SUMMARIES Leadership enjoyed their time with the Ulster Aviation Society at Competitions go on to represent NI with the S&NI Leadership training plays a big part of an Air Cadet the Maze Long Kesh as well as Instruction by Sqn Ldr Region. Regional Field Day saw Fg Off Graham experience. A group of cadets aged 14-15 Aaron Coulter on the Part Task Trainer. Dodds, 72 Sqn, being awarded the Currie Sword for completed the new CVQO-taught level 2 ILM the best Officer in S&NI Region. qualification - “Young Leaders Award” and 9 cadets International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) achieved the new “silver “Leadership badge following Cadet Warrant Officer Mark Woods was selected to Notable Achievements NIW’s first intermediate leadership course. Cadet Sgt take part in the IACE to the United States, including • 2004 (Ballynahinch) Sqn were honoured to William Orr 2004 several days in Washington represent Northern Ireland Wing in this year’s Lees Ballynahinch Sqn won DC and visits to the Trophy Competition (the 3rd year running they the “Best Cadet” award Gettysburg battlefield, have had this privilege). for an outstanding Warfield Air National Guard display of leadership. base (for a flight in a C-17 • A very fine selection of New Lord Lieutenants’ Globemaster) and Dover Air Cadets were installed at Stormont Buildings CADET SUMMARIES Flying and Gliding Force Base. It was the trip of Belfast - Cdt FS C Hayles 833 Antrim Sqn, CWO L CADET SUMMARIES With the loss of 664 a lifetime and very well McFetridge 2350 Coleraine Sqn and Cdt FS C Volunteer Gliding deserved. McHugh 72 Sqn. Squadron a few years ago, NI have little RAF 100 Celebrations • Cdt Flt Sgt Woods of 1137 East Belfast Squadron gliding or Air On 29 April NIW Air Training became the third cadet from NIW to graduate Experience Flying Corps were honoured to be from the Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course. (AEF) at 10 AEF at part of the RAF 100 Service in St Anne’s Cathedral He was awarded best cadet at RAF Linton QAIC Woodvale due to the Belfast alongside many dignitaries including the along with Best Air Traffic student at QAIC. This is runway issues. It was a Chief of the Air Staff. A total of 90 Cadets and 34 Staff the culmination of many trips to England over the great gesture of the took part. past 6 months and lots of hard work. S&NI region to share their AEF allocation at Almost 100 Cadets from the Wing attended a RAF • CWO McFetridge of 2350 (Coleraine) Sqn won top 12 AEF during the 100 Cadet Dinner to celebrate the Centenary. A student for the ATC at the Scottish National Cadet summer. Similar Event was held for the staff of NIW at the Music Camp. same location the following week. There was also a • The 2004 (Ballynahinch) Sqn Cadet and staff team massive RAF 100 Charity presented their ‘Intelligent ID Pass’ project at the Flying Muster at Leuchars Station for Cadets from A super RAF 100th Anniversary “well done “to 72 finals of the RAF Engineering Competition, held at S&NI Region in the summer, which saw 1400 Air (Omagh) Sqn” who won the Sir Douglas Bader and the Duxford Airshow, the only Squadron Cadets fly in Chinooks and Puma’s; this included 134 the Sir Robert Saundby Trophies for support to RAFA representing S&NI Region. The day was made Cadets and 20 staff from NI. and raising the most money from a UK Sqn. extra special by one of our cadets winning an Exceptional achievement. The same Sqn also won individual award for his commitment and Annual Camps the Ritchie Trophy for best fundraising Sqn for RAFA enthusiasm! A total of 213 Cadets attended a variety of Camps in S&NI and the Wing Commander Charity Cup for during the summer of 2018, which included 24 the most money raised for the Children’s Cancer Unit Retirement of OC Northern Ireland Wing cadets and 8 staff at RAF Linton, 19 cadets and 8 staff Charity. Wing Commander Michael Miskimmin bid farewell to at RAF Lossiemouth the Wing Officer Cadre at his final Officers’ and a group of Cadets Annual Wing Parade Conference as he is retiring from the post of OC NIW. at the week-long Air This is one event that brings The Wg ExO and OC 817 Sqn presented him with his Cadet Leadership all staff and cadets from retirement gifts on behalf of the Wing. Michael joined Course at RAF around the Wing to a joint the Air Training Corps on 9 Jun 1987 and although Cranwell. Three cadets location for not only the having served for more than 30 years is staying on as from 817 Sqn and 1 presentation of the Annual a Civilian Instruction with 817 Lisburn Squadron. He cadet from 2004 Awards but for cadets to hands over the reins of NIW on 2 Jan 19 to Sqn Ldr Squadron attended have a little fun. This year Chris Hodges. the Arms Drill Training the Wing had the pleasure Camp in October and of hosting Mrs Joan Christie, these 4 cadets went Lord Lieutenant for Co on to represent the S&NI Region at the Corps Antrim who presented the Competition. trophies to the highest achievers within the wing. Aldergrove Regional Training Camp A total of 280 cadets from across the Region Regional Field Day attended 5 weeks of training camps at Aldergrove The winning participants Flying Station, During NI week, a selection of cadets from the NI Annual Wing

64 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 65 COMBINED CADET FORCES Remembrance Looking forward BANGOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL an adventurous training package. The cadets spent In November Bangor Grammar School CCF took We are looking forward to another busy year with three days doing a round robin of activities run by part in acts of remembrance in Bangor Grammar camps planned for Halton, Penally and Portsmouth. COMBINED CADET FORCE Tower Wood Outdoor Education Centre. The activities School, Glenlola Collegiate School and at the Bangor included a hill day in the Lake District, canoeing and Remembrance Parade organised by the Royal British Introduction sailing on Lake Windermere and on site confidence Legion. Bangor Grammar School CCF has gone from building activities such as high and low ropes courses. strength to strength in 2018 and has had another successful year. Run In June the RN section went to HMS Bristol in in collaboration with Portsmouth for their annual camp. For the majority Glenlola Collegiate this was their first experience of staying on board a School, there are working ship. Activities included kayaking, sailing currently 300 cadets and powerboating in Portsmouth Harbour. The and 9 Cadet Force cadets also visited the Royal Navy Dockyard and were Adult Volunteers privileged to see HMS Queen Elizabeth arriving into (CFAVs) in the her home port. contingent. The Army section went to Crowborough Central

COMBINED CADET FORCES COMBINED Orienteering Camp for a week of fieldcraft, tactics and learning CADET FORCES COMBINED Once again Bangor new skills in preparation for the final day of the camp Grammar School entered a large number of cadets which was a full day competition. The camp enabled in the 38 (Irish) Brigade (38X) Cadet Orienteering all the APC cadets to pass their syllabus and be Competition, coming away with numerous medals at promoted to Lance Corporal. both junior and senior level: first and second place in the senior girls’ individual and first place in the senior Courses girls’ team event; second place in the senior boys’ A number of our cadets from both sections attended team event; first and second place in the junior girls’ a variety of courses throughout the year. Cadet individual; and first and third place in the junior girls’ RSM Jacq Watton was the first CCF cadet from team events. Northern Ireland to attend a Master Cadet Course at Frimley Park. We also had representation at the National Navigation Award Scheme Cadet Leadership Course in Barry Buddon at Easter. In March all of the APCA completed their National Three Army section cadets completed their Summer CAMPBELL the Inniskilling Cup Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Bronze Award as Mountain Foundation with CCAT in Capel Curig. and achieving a 3rd part of their syllabus training. This culminated in an RN cadets attended a variety of courses and visits COLLEGE place in the Schools assessment day in Crawfordsburn Country Park run by throughout the summer including Scot Sail, Power COMBINED Pairs. Henry Greer 38X Cadet Training Team. Boat Level 2, Channel Cruise, HMS Bristol Camp and was placed 27th in Britannia Royal Naval College Camp. CADET the Schools Hundred Easter Camp FORCE which was an At Easter 30 of our recruits and 8 CFAVs travelled to First Aid amazing result. Halton Training Camp in Lancashire to take part in A large number of our cadets completed Heart Start, At home we entered Youth First Aid and First Aid at Work qualifications Introduction two teams into the throughout the year as part of their syllabus training. Campbell College Northern Ireland Inter In September we entered two teams into the 38X First CCF continues to deliver training to over 250 cadets Services Cadet Rifle Meeting at Ballykinler Training Aid Competition where the youth team won their involved in Army, RAF and Royal Navy Sections. Our Centre (BTC) in September and the A team were category qualifying them for the National First Aid partnership with Bloomfield Collegiate who are part placed 2nd overall with the B Team 5th out of 17 Competition. of the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) scheme teams. The A team were placed 3rd in Match 1, 2nd remains strong and their numbers have grown year in Match 2, 3rd in Match 3 and won Match 4. The B Military Skills Competition on year. team won the Match 5 (the Falling Plates) beating In October Bangor Grammar School CCF entered 2 the A team in the semi-final. teams into the Northern Ireland CCF Military Skills Shooting Competition at Magilligan. The A Team won trophies We continue to utilise the indoor range at the Orienteering for First Aid and Shooting and came runners up in the school and the range at Palace Barracks and have February brought a change march and runners up in the overall competition. participated in all the Brigade shooting competitions of pace and a move away this year. Campbell College shooting team from military training with National Regatta competed in the Inter Cadet Shooting Competition the Cadet Orienteering In October 4 RN section cadets competed in the at Bisley in July 2018 in which 12 cadets competed Competition which took CCF National Regatta in Portsmouth in some rather in a number of shooting practices over a four day place in the School grounds. challenging sailing conditions. They were the only period against some of the best shooting schools Campbell College Belfast cadets from Northern Ireland to compete in the in the United Kingdom. Bisley was one of the most (CCB) won the Senior competition. successful in recent years, with the College winning Boys Competition and the 66 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 67 Junior Boys, with Bloomfield winning the Junior Girls Damage Repair Instructional Unit (DRIU). To top it all off amazing machine; unfortunately no flying was possible Competition. in August, five Campbell cadets attended the National due to the low cloud base that developed during the Camp at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC). afternoon. Camps 47 cadets attended the annual CCB CCF Easter Camp RAF Cadets attended RAF Linton-On-Ouse in North Pipes and Drums which was held at Magilligan Training Centre between Yorkshire which is one of the busiest in the country, The Pipes and Drums continues to grow with 12 playing the 22nd and 29th March 2018. This included 12 cadets training fast jet pilots for the RAF, Royal Navy and foreign members and a further eight new recruits learning their from Bloomfield Collegiate and 21 members of the countries such as France and Germany. Cadets also instruments. The Pipes and Drums have been extremely Pioneer Company. The training programme included undertook adventure training and visits to Eden Camp commemorate the signing of the Armistice 100 years busy representing the College at functions across a Cadet Force Instructional Techniques (CFIT) package and East Yorkshire Air Museum. ago and representatives of all three Services took part Northern Ireland. Three of the pipers and drummers for Year 11 upwards and a recruit’s package for Year 10s. in the Service at Belfast City Hall later on the same day. played at Edinburgh Castle with the Cadet National There was an additional range practice for both groups Courses Pipe Major John Gildea also played with 152 Transport Pipes and Drums in April 2018 and we have continued which included a GP 5.56mm shoot and a 7.62mm CCB cadets continue to avail of the wide selection Regiment Royal Logistic Corps at their Service in to foster the relationship with the Army Cadet Force shoot for the older cadets. The CFIT course is extremely of courses on offer across the Services – RN cadets Holywood. Pipes and Drums. In September the South African Irish challenging and all those who successfully completed completed lifeguarding, leadership and Motor Cruise Pipes and Drums visited the school and both bands it are now qualified to instruct. Going forward this is an Navigation courses. One of our Year 10 Cadets attended Flying played together, much to the enjoyment of the school important step in ensuring that we have enough well the STEM camp held in October and one of our SNCOs The RAF section attended Air Experience Flying every audience. trained JNCOs who can deliver well-structured training completed the SCIC with the ACF in July. He successfully COMBINED CADET FORCES COMBINED month in Glasgow with the No4 Air Experience Flight CADET FORCES COMBINED to their peers as well as younger cadets. completed the Master Cadet (AEF) Squadron where 6 cadets per trip had the chance Looking forward Course a few months later to try and fly a Grob Tutor by themselves with the help 2019 is a year of anniversaries for CCB – 125th Summer Camp for the Army Section this year was in October receiving the of an instructor. Several cadets also visited and trained anniversary of the formation of the school as well as at Wathgill in Cumbria for 62 members of Campbell Commandant’s Coin for on the RAF Air Cadet (RAFAC) Part Task Trainer (PTT) 110th anniversary of the foundation of the Officer College CCF, including ten from Bloomfield Collegiate. exceptional performance. simulator at the Ground Training School at Flying Station Training Corps, the oldest OTC in Ireland. We are in the The training programme prepared by the Cadet Two members of the RAF Aldergrove in June where cadets got the chance to win early stages of planning a Tri-Service Camp in Northern Training Team (CTT) included a personal development/ section were selected after a their Blue Flying Wings. This year was also very special as Ireland for 2019 and the Pipes and Drums are planning leadership package (high ropes course / abseiling, rigorous selection to attend in April a Puma Mk.II helicopter from the 33 Squadron a Battlefield Tour in the summer which will encompass climbing and the Krypton Factor assault course), a range RAF STEM Camps in England RAF landed in school and gave the cadets from all a number of iconic sites. The Pipes and Drums will also package (which involved the majority of weapons at RAF Wittering and RAF sections an opportunity to have a look around this play at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. systems used by the CCF), a tactics and an advanced Cranwell with one of the pair tactics day, culminating in our own 24hr exercise. The receiving the Silver Standard. package was enjoyable and those who attended learnt some new skills. It was extremely warm during the camp Remembrance FOYLE but no training was cancelled and no heat injuries were 2018 marked the end of World War One and Campbell COLLEGE reported. has been developing the ‘Men Behind the Glass’ project to commemorate the 128 former members of COMBINED While members of the Army Section slummed it, the school who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Members CADET FORCE members of the Navy Section enjoyed a summer camp of Campbell and Bloomfield CCF took part in the at HMS Excellent, the Royal Navy’s Headquarters on annual Remembrance Service held in the College Whale Island, Portsmouth. The Cadets stayed on board on 9 November. At 06:00 on 11 November three HMS Bristol, a type 82 destroyer turned harbour training pipers took part in a National Act of Remembrance to and accommodation ship, where they took part in different activities throughout the week, ranging from Mountain biking, canoeing, hillwalking, power One of our cadets, SSM Elliot Tait, took part in the a trip to the historic dockyard and paddling around boating, sailing, shooting, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Great Pilgrimage 90 where he carried the RBL Whale Island in kayaks, to mountain biking at the Queen Adventure Training, Battlefield Tours - no it is not an standard for the Limavady Ladies Branch. This Elizabeth Country Park and sailing out in the Solent. advertisement on TV it is what Foyle College got up was a once in a life time event that I am sure Elliot This camp helped widen the experiences of the year 10 to throughout the year. Foyle College Combined will cherish for ever. At Easter camp this year the cadets who will now go on to thrive and attend different Cadet Force has grown from strength to strength contingent took over 38X Cadet Training Team courses to further widen their cadet experience. The each year in all three sections; this year has seen (CTT) training facilities. Some 38 cadets from all cadets also got a glimpse of the new aircraft carrier, HMS some 36 new recruits join our ranks into Navy, Army sections enjoyed a fun filled package which included: Queen Elizabeth, as she was moored in Portsmouth and Air Force. mountain biking, caving, walking Belfast Hill, a visit to during the week. HMS Caroline and a trip to ice skating, bowling and Over the past year our cadets have been very busy. crazy golf. Campbell cadets also attended the National CCF Royal At Easter three of our Cadets travelled to conduct Navy Summer Camp, returning to HMS Bristol. Having a WW1 Battlefield Tour, visiting famous landmarks As summer exam time approached rapidly the the opportunity to participate in activities with cadets such as the Ulster Tower, Menin Gate, Thiepval Woods cadets had to plan their summer camps and once from CCF RN units from throughout the UK made the and the Irish Tower, as well as visiting their ancestors’ again there was a great choice for all. The Army experience thoroughly enjoyable. Exciting training graves who gave the supreme sacrifice for their section travelled to Warcop for range days, adventure opportunities including going to sea on board HMS country. training, exercising in the field and the chance to Charger, an Archer Class Patrol Vessel, and the thrill of the meet up with cadets from England and Scotland.

68 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 69 COMBINED CADET FORCES 70 for thestaff. As for storage, onsite there is acontainerand The detachmentoccupies anoffice gifted bytheschool Estates certificates. completed andtheaward ofhalfstarsandfirstaid Training hasbeenprogressive with3trainingweekends Training DayRemembrance laying awreath atthememorial. paradedthrough andthey Lisburn service Town Centre on the cadetswere thefocus for the schoolRemembrance Regiment Coloursparade for Parade. theRoyalIrish Also, notable events. The detachmentattended therehearsal thecourseofyear During there have beensome Achievements been overcome andthedetachmentisimproving steadily. however, thishasnow protocols andtraining, grips withprocedures, and lows gettingto have beensomehighs Ireland, there Northern Programme (CEP) in in theCadet Expansion As thisisthefirst CCF familiarisation. their adulttrainingand currently goingthrough who wasaformer schoolstaffmembers pupilandtwo instructor, contingentcommander, an adultvolunteer the RIFLES. byThe theschoolstaff cadetsare supported detachment of30cadetsmaleandfemale badgedto in theschoolcomplex. The contingenthasanArmy CCF wasestablishedinSeptember 2017 Lisnagarvey COMBINED FORCE CADET LISNAGARVEY HIGHSCHOOL our fellow Army Cadets onparadeinLondonderry the endof itwasgreat and toWW1 seeallsections onourthird.started As we celebrated 100years of draw aswetwo managedto poppy fill boxes and inouruniform. collect outtoThis beagreat turned This year for thefirsttime we to received authority Poppy Legion. AppealonbehalfoftheRoyal British Each year great for we take collecting the pride andleadershipskills. surfing suchaspoweractivities boating, RYA sailingcourses, in Cadets travelled to part Portsmouth to take building.building andofcourseraft The Senior where entered they suchassailing, activities team cadets attended basedinDartmouth HMSBristol rangeofdifferent inavaried thejunior activities; part The travelled Navy to different two campstaking RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report foreseeable future. expansion schoolfornew the a platform for progression inthis thereby intake, the next forming current cadetsinreadiness for enable thedevelopment ofthe bepromoted.shortly This will cadets, someofwhomwill of summary, thedetachmenthasagood solidcohort In Summary camp in Warcop, Cumbria. Junethedetachmentwilldeploy on theirfirstannual In rifle. withthecadet a live firing weekend awarding of1*to thosewhoqualify. This willbefollowed by and patrolling; trainingwillcumulate theweekend inthe attacks cadets willlive outinthefield, section practise isplannedwhere the forward, toLooking Ballykinler atrip ForwardLooking ‘Pathways’, whohave delivered theirteam buildingactivities. intheway ofrecruiting hasbeenprovidedsupport by thedevelopment ofthevolunteers. also supported Further maintenance initiatives. The 38XCadet Training Team has provision oftrophies, noticeboards, and advertising byThe RFCAwiththe cadetshave beensupported Support whichhasenhancedtraining.safe ofcadetGPrifles keeping tolook forward 2019for muchofthesame. over all. What agreat way to finishoff2018and we and Andrew Pollock’s won prize surprise, theoutright Best CCF and, section to Fulton, John Lindsay Clarke Heroes Project we won andIamgladto the report intheWe Local part finishedoffthis yeartaking part. uniform taking Sundayon Remembrance withover 100cadetsin Benweld locker for the Benweld for locker the recently hadinstalleda detachment have identification. The and have itsown could bepersonalised which in aportacabin being sited separately by be better served Ideally thecadetswould a shared store area. was mastered, progressed they of onto otheraspects andBallykinler. Barracks Once theirweapon handling andprogressingCadet GPrifle on to shoots at Palace at pacewithyounger cadetsbeingintroduced to the continued traininginSchool Concurrently theweekly cadets withtheirown excellent trainingfacility. straightawayevident asitimmediately provided the Training Centre Anderson,where by Major potential NCO Cadet cadre for runatBallykinler theArmy Section to theyear wasfollowedThe fast-paced start by ataxing competitions. andfirstaid Skills were runnersupinboththeMilitary result performances. inhighquality This year they forinto thepreparation theseevents andparticipation represent put they theschoolandtimeeffort go to prepare for these. The cadetsare to always keen itwasall competitions inthefirst2monthsof term First skills, Aidandshooting With Military Brigade being thrown straightbackinto theswingoftraining. The year beganinits usualbusyformat withthecadets shooting, andadventure gliding, firstaid, training. sports flying, includingfieldcraft, in arangeofactivities Contingent withrecord numbersofcadetsparticipating This year hasbeen another successfulonefor the impact of this move was ofthismoveimpact was positive refurbishment. The oftheschool’s part ongoing into centre, anew builtas contingent move premises 2018saw the January andskills. knowledge physical tests to develop their tasks, planningexercises and through ofleadership aseries and current NCOs were put Cadet Force Combined Institution Academical Royal Belfast package. Afantastic endto abusyyear.package. shooting aswell asanexcellent adventure training aid, first fieldcraft, covered themainsyllabusareas of Training Team provided anexcellent programme which Nescliffe inthe Midlands.West Cadet The 11Brigade This year 45Cadets travelled from theArmy to Section asafinal and acts focal point to thecadets’ training. theendoftrainingyear Annual Camp inJulymarks Adventure inMay. andone from RAF)for Mountain Section theMourne The contingentprovided 2teams (one from Army is always interesting to listen to theresults oftheirwork. through thisresearch for thelastnumberofyears andit to theirarea orSchool. Major Todd thecadets hastaken research connection a soldierwhohasaparticular WW1 The Local Heroes event encouragesthecadetsto services. competing againstcadetsfrom across NIandfrom all 3 Track theRAF100commemorationssaw to cadets mark Peters speed andanathleticscompetitionattheMary offered thechance at to test theirmap reading skills over theyear. competition Orienteering The Brigade andadventure trainingevents number ofothersporting ina trainingthecadetshave part taken As well asmilitary Camp inScotland. attendedcadets from aCentral Easter theRAF Section Ballykinler, while 10 Ballykinler, while10 Easter Exercise in packed and action completed atesting The Army Section weekends. at various both inschooland relevant experience their syllabus, gaining RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 71 COMBINED CADET FORCES COMBINED CADET FORCES 72 expedition levels. teams successfullycompleting thechallengeand tasks. Two withboth teams from RSAtook part different locations the team have to complete andat oftheMournes their way through parts The event challengesyouth teams to navigate an annualfeature intheCCF calendarofevents. Adventure Mountain The Mourne hasnow become secure third placeoverall. boys’ individual. The juniorboys team managedto CunninghamJoshua wasplacedthird inthejunior off strong opposition to claimfirstplaceandL/Cpl Campbell College. Cadet Haynes L/CplJoseph fought competitioninApril, heldat Orienteering Services The Contingent competed attheannualInter the nationalfinal. in part narrowly to missedoutonbeingselected take The team competed innumerous events but intheAirSquadron part to take Trophy.RAF Inskip A team from travelled theRAFsection inFebruary to whowasplaced 6th. Pinkerton encouraging 4result Match for Cadet Cpl William there were noprizes for theteam, there wasan Meeting (ISCRM)competitionandwhile Cadet Rifle team. Anovice team entered the Inter-Services is always highdemandfor placesontheshooting Shooting isalways popularwiththecadetsandthere Competitions Royal wedding in andMegan. Windsor ofHarry Contingent memberswere invited to attend the unusual events anditwasquite ashockwhentwo dynamic. The CCF never failsto offer upexciting and to join,thusproviding ourContingent aninteresting CCFinternational withboarding studentselecting within thelocalcommunity. We are proud to bean facet withintheschoolandiswell respected continuestoover beanimportant acentury. It At RSAwe valueourCCF thathasbeenbuiltup and25cadetsintheRAF.in thearmy section respectively.sections There are currently 124cadets of cadetsonroll withinboththeRAFandArmy CCF. Currently theContingent hasahealthy number thedecisionto putonauniformmake andjointhe is thegrowing amountofeageryoung peoplewho However,opportunities. whatdoesremain constant year theCCF challengesand new Every brings Cadet Force Combined Armagh School Royal RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report exceptionally highbuttheteam rose to theoccasion First Aidfinal. The standard atthis competitionis intheNationalCCF part Chase inEnglandto take September thefirstaid team travelledIn to Yardley competition. Services the Inter won firstplacein andCadet L/CplEllieKnipe Martin andCadet C/SgtRachel RSA demonstrated theirskills Ireland. Onceagainthecadetsfrom all over Northern held inBelfast,competingagainstcadetteams from Regional Competition Ireland Ambulance Northern Two intheStJohn teams from RSAtook part April. Ambulance the StJohn Youth First Aidcourse andin February, 30recruit cadetssuccessfullycompleted programme andthisyear wasno exception. In oftheContingent’s part training been animportant First aidtrainingandcompetitionfirsthave long First Aid female cadethasever won thisaward. Commander.best Section This isthefirsttimethata team meantthatshewastheclearwinneras controlHer knowledge, andmanagementofthe led herteam withexcellent leadershipqualities. Commander, RSA. Section Martin Cadet CSMRachel emotional strength to secure a1stplaceresult for physical and skills, drawing onalloftheirknowledge, conditions were buttheteam pushedon, terrible tasks over thecourseofweekend. The weather The cadetswere putthrough challengesand various the competitiononceandthatwasbackin1994. in1974andsincethenRSAhadonlywon started CCFIreland competition. The competition was team won theNorthern Skills theMilitary October In out andbearing. signals,their excellent skills, marksmanship drill, turn many fears thatday. Allcadetsoncampexcelled with issafetanks. to say It thatalotofcadetsconquered high ropes, water jumps, tunnelsandwater filled including agruelling assaultcourse, complete with onofferactivities were challenging andexciting, ofthecadets.demands ontheenergy reserves The The weather wasunusuallyhotwhichplacedextra Wathgill in Yorkshire for theirannualcampinJune. travelledThe Army section with32cadetsto Annual Camps amazing result. placed 3rd intheCCF nationalcompetition;an sessionspaidoff.and theirpractice The team were sailing around theUK inthe crew onboard thetallship ofthe toselected bepart was Cadet Larmour CplJeni Britain Challenge Lord Dannatt’s Round simulation flight. ina part toselected take was theonlycadetoncamp Flt SgtHannahRobinson Cadet flight simulationskills. aircraft recognition, and drill the week improving their camp. 14cadetsspent forScotland theirannual to RAFLossiemouth in travelledThe RAFsection morning of Remembrance Sunday. ofRemembrance morning BBC Breakfast atthecenotaphin Whitehall onthe was thenrequested with to doalive interview the Queenandmembers oftheRoyal family. She by peopleacross but alsoinfront theworld of Sunday. waswitnessed notonly Herperformance held in Westminster on Remembrance Abbey of National Service Thanksgiving for theArmistice to wasalsoselected readRebecca aprayer atthe ofremembrance. her poemattheannualservice andatthe Armagh Waterfront Hallwhere sheread Carrickfergus Town Place Hall, theMarket Theatre events reading herpoemonHMSCaroline, inprestigious part to take she hassincebeenasked Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London and entries. Shewaspresented withheraward in The over theCommonwealth. Competition, which drew from entries Innocence all Cadet Cpl enteredWilliam Pinkerton theNever Such andherbrother Pinkerton Cadets L/CplRebecca Never SuchInnocence Competition friendships, whichwillnodoubtlastalifetime. included someculturalvisitsandhehasmade thoroughlyJoseph enjoyed theexperience, which in shooting, leadershipandcommandwere tested. exercise the demandingweeklong where hisskills fellow cadets, British successfullycompleted Joseph alongwithhis Exchange Latvia, inAugust. to In Latvia inorderin April to secure aplaceontheBalticGuard processgruelling selection inAltcar Training Camp Cadet Haynes L/CplJoseph hadcompleted arather GuardBaltic Exchange had never spentlongerthanonehourinaboat. forwas anamazingexperience ayoung personwho heights oftheship’s thehelm.It mastsandtaking trainingexercisesin various thatincludedscalingthe long and33metre hightallship. wasinvolved Jeni Belfast to Cardiff for a10day voyage onthe55metre days around Great setsailinAugust Jeni from Britain. from across to sail theUKcombinedefforts for 40 was to commemorate WW1. War veterans andcadets Lord Dannatt’s Challenge. Britain Round This voyage 3rd outofover 7,000 wasplaced Rebecca and certificate highly commended received a artwork poetry. William’sand works, songs art War 1by creating in World people ofservice sacrifice to reflect onthe young people asked This competition RCFA 2018/19 Annual Report 73

COMBINED CADET FORCES In recognition of her talents Rebecca was invited to attend a special event in Buckingham Palace at the request of Lady French, the competition organiser. This event was also the official launch of the Never Such Innocence book, ‘Centenary of the First World War’ which includes Rebecca’s poem. Recently the Glasnevin Trust invited Rebecca and her family to a special awards event held at The Glasnevin Cemetery Museum. Both Rebecca and her brother William were informed that their poem and art work were winners in their category in the all-Ireland competition. This also means that their work will be included in their book commemorating the centenary of WW1.

Local Heroes In December a team from RSA took part in the annual Local Heroes competition. Cadet Cpl Rebecca Pinkerton and (RAF) L/Cpl Jack Bingham COMBINED CADET FORCES COMBINED presented their comprehensive body of research on Jack’s ancestor, Private Samuel David Simms. A Awards lot of hard work and practice sessions were put into It was pleasing to see 14 cadets achieve the BTEC perfecting the presentation and their hard work in Teamwork and Personal Development in the paid off as the team were announced runners up Community award and 1 cadet achieved a BTEC in the CCF competition narrowly missing out on in Music for Practical Performance. Being able to 1st place. However, the most important part to this offer the opportunity for cadets to gain another competition was bringing the life story of Jack’s qualification is an important way of keeping the CCF ancestor back into the public domain so that their attractive for older members of the CCF. sacrifice is not forgotten.

CCFA Annual Dinner The cadet year ended with a wonderful CCFA Annual Dinner reception held at The Grand Connaught Rooms, London, at which Cadet Pipe Sergeant Faith Hoy played a collection of pieces. Her performance was exceptional leaving the audience wanting more. We are fortunate to be among such talented individuals who never cease to inspire us.

Summary The CCF is an amazing organisation. Every year cadets have opportunities to travel to different parts of the world and around the UK to take part in unique and challenging adventures. What I really Tel: 028 95 219818 need to do now is pay respect and thanks to all of Freephone: 0800 730730 our staff and civilian instructors in the CCF who often put their own lives on hold so that the Contingent www.reservesandcadetsni.org.uk continues to be a success and thrive in the Royal Find us on social media: School. 38 Brigade, 38 CTT and RFCA NI are all RFCANI important contributors to our Contingent, their help, advice and expertise gives us great support. We look forward to the challenges of another cadetting year in 2019.

74 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 RCFA Annual Report 2018/19 75 Tel: 028 95 219818 Freephone: 0800 730730 www.reservesandcadetsni.org.uk Find us on social media: RFCANI