158 Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps

Peterborough

October saw the Commanding Officer Lt Col R Futter handover to Lt Col A C Swales MBE. The change comes amid 158 Regiment RLC’s final preparations for switching role from transport to aviation support, as directed by Future Soldier and the Integrated Review.

Project NEWBURY

In November, new garages at Sobraon Barracks were officially opened during a visit by Col Stone VR, the RLC Colonel Reserves. The excellent new facilities have been built for 160 (Lincoln) Sqn as part of the multi-million-pound Project NEWBURY and will be used to deliver outstanding training to both the Army Reserve and Cadets in the Lincoln area. Col Stone also presented Capt Bruce Saunderson, PSAO to 160 Sqn, a GOC’s Commendation for his excellent work on enabling the new complex. Capt Saunderson leaves the Regt in March on retirement after an extensive military career which began in the South Atlantic during the Falklands War. The Regt extends a sincere thank you to him for his many decades of selfless service and wishes him well for the future.

Regimental ACT

While Grantham is a far-cry from Blood Hound Camp in Cyprus, the Regt’s second ACT of the year also succeeded in providing plenty of quality training. Over two weeks, DTTT, M Qual, and B3 to B2 Driver upgrade courses were delivered to the troops. Capt Fade, WO1 Freeman, and WO2 Cruttendean ran the M Qual which saw 10 successfully complete the course. This will empower the Reservists to plan and conduct their own training serials independently, which is extremely useful considering Reservists do not routinely complete the course.

201 (Bedford) Sqn

201 Squadron deployed on Ex

RAMB 5 from 10 to 12 Feb 23 to develop driver knowledge, promote team spirit, and provide retention positive training. The aim of the weekend was for the troops to practice core driving skills, complete B3 to B2 career upgrade courses, conduct familiarisation training on the 15-ton MAN platform, and maintain FLRT competency. In addition, the Sqn also took the opportunity to complete essential ITR training as part of a challenging and engaging experience. Finally, the chefs were not to be forgotten as they utilised the opportunity to develop the trade skills of Cpl Howe.

In sport, Pte Marsh has been doing very well representing 201 Sqn and the Regt in women’s hockey, attending most games and achieving some great successes recently with the team. She was selected for the Army Hockey match, as part of the England Hockey Cup, on 12 Feb, where they won on penalties. They progressed to the quarter-finals which were scheduled for 5 Mar.

202 (Ipswich) Sqn

202 Sqn OC, Maj Steve Hook MBE attended the pass-out parade of Pte Newman, Pte Ponce-deLeon Zapata, Pte Goddard and Pte Reeves, who all completed Phase 1 training at ATU Grantham on Sat 8 Feb 23. The Regt extends its congratulations and welcomes them all to The Steelbacks.

Look ahead

The Regt’s focus is firmly on completing the transition from a Transport Regiment to an Aviation Support Regiment. This unique role will see a war fighting increment from 158 Regt embed into 7REME in the Aviation BSG, supporting 1 Av BCT. As part of the transition, the Regt bids goodbye to 160 (Lincoln) and 203 (Loughborough) Sqns and welcomes 294 (Grantham) and 678 (Milton Keynes) Sqns. Thank you to all those serving in 160 and 203 Sqns for your consistent commitment to 158 Regt over the years.