159 Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps COVENTRY

With this Sustainer’s theme being ‘giving back’ what better way to highlight what 159 Regiment RLC’s soldiers and officers have been up to within the community; raising awareness of the what the British Army Reserves while completing valuable training.

In September 2022, the Regt supported HQ West Midlands Brigade Youth Engagement Team, hosting a Scouts’ Mechanics Activity Badge. The event took place at 123 Supply Sqn in Telford, which was delighted to work with Shropshire/Tern Valley Scouts to inspire and enthuse young people about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). With the Army’s increasing emphasis on utilising STEM to recruit the best talent and motivated young people, showing its practical application was a perfect opportunity to engage with soldiers of the future. The Mechanics Activity Badge will help give Scouts insight into the world of mechanics, technology and raise awareness of both the Regular Army and the Reserves.

Members of 243 HQ Sqn were honoured to support and host the Coventry Commonwealth Cultural Mela 22 hosted by BOPA (British Organisation for People of Asian Origin) and Coventry Mercia Lions Club. The day started with the inauguration of the Canal Basin Peace Garden by a wide range of community leaders, Armed Forces personnel, faith leaders, Miss England competitors and representatives of other groups. This peaceful and tranquil area is available for use by all of the Coventry community. The afternoon saw the team move to an indoor location in the city centre where they remembered HM The Queen, welcomed HM King Charles III - who visited the project last year - and were then entertained by a range of traditional entertainers, including a group of Ukrainian Singers and Sikh Martial Arts Performers.

159 Regt regularly hosts MAD events (military activity days) for local colleges and recently it staged two very successful events in Stoke and West Bromwich. Local students participated in a planning activity, weapons handling training, a relay race along with a few discussions about life in the

Reserves and the wider Army. This has proven a great way to engage with young people with an interest in a career within the Armed Forces and also build relationships with local colleges.

November saw 159 Regt personnel deployed to Sennybridge where they were given the opportunity to complete their navigation ITR along with their fourth assured event of the year. The Brecon hills were beautiful and true to form they were cold, wet and very windy which posed a great challenge to all. The overall turnout across the Regt was excellent with a total of 118 soldiers and officers attending.

Finally, in December, after a very long hot summer and a busy autumn the 159 Ex Knees Stretch Nordic Ski team endured a stark contrast with temperatures dropping beyond -20°C. However this did not deter them, and they came away will a plethora of medals. Cpl Moloney - Champion Female Senior Reserve - Cpl BuskChampion Male Senior Reserveand Maj Taylor - Champion Veteran Reserve and overall Champion Reserve. 159 Regt will return in 2024 to win the Champion Nordic Reserve Unit!