11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search Regiment RLC DIDCOT

11 EOD & Search Regiment RLC has the privilege of working directly with the Emergency Services, providing immediate EOD and Search support across the UK 24/7, 365 days a year. Additionally, the Regt provides the Field Army with global specialist ammunition support and assurance. Not limited to only giving back to our local communities with its operational outputs, members of the Regt regularly contribute to a wide variety of good causes through some amazing extra-curricular activities; this article captures but a couple of recent examples.

Ex SATON FORCE

The latest iteration of 521 EOD Squadron’s Bomb Disposal Operator validation exercise, Ex SATON FORCE, hosted 180 Police Officers from across North England, North Wales and Scotland on Catterick Training Area. Undaunted by torrid conditions, the Police Officers joined the EOD teams conducting a variety of simulated training tasks, sharing incident response techniques and scene management skills. It proved an excellent relationship building exercise, not just between the EOD Teams and police, but also between different police forces who attended. Additionally, the event was used to further integrate and develop national and specialist capabilities with National Incident Liaison Officers, Hazardous Area Rescue Teams, and the Fire Service in response to significant events.

Cpl Knight - 11 Years of Felix Fund… 11 fundraising challenges

11 EOD&S Regt shares a personal relationship with the Felix Fund, the bomb disposal charity which provides a significant level of assistance towards the well-being of both current and former EOD operators; many of whom have served within the Regt. In recognition of the charity’s 11 years of dedication, Cpl Knight from 721

EOD Sqn embarked on a personal mission in support of the Felix Fund.

“To celebrate 11 Years of the Felix Fund, a charity that has helped both myself and many people that I know, I set out to complete 11 fundraising endurance events in 12 months. The events included my first triathlon, double marathon and canicross races. My race results have included third place at the ‘May the Fourth’ half marathon, second place at the ‘Forest Warrior’ mud run and first place at the ‘Revenge of the Fifth’ half marathon. However, my biggest personal achievement was the ‘Race to the Tower’ double marathon. Not only because of the distance, but because I fell ill two days before the actual event.

Instead of giving up, I contacted the race organisers and made special arrangements to complete the event solo at a future date to be determined.

As soon as I recovered, I began my preparation. I was sure to note the locations of the official rest stops to ensure my attempt was as close to the official route as possible. Finally, with the help of a small support crew of friends and family, a date was set. The event was certainly demanding, even down to the force feeding and hydration intervals. But knowing how much preparation I had done and having a cause to raise funds for, this kept me pushing on until I finally crossed the finish line at Broadway Tower, where we at last got to celebrate in a true British fashion with plenty of tea and cake! The whole year has been packed with planning, research, training and of course the events themselves. Despite all the challenges I have faced, I hope to build on these experiences in my future endeavours.”

Cpl Knight set out to raise £1,100 throughout 2022 for the 11 years of The Felix Fund charity. Completing seven trail runs, two half marathons, one triathlon and one double Marathon, he raised a commendable £1,328 for this worthy cause.