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NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2011
RN ‘unsung hero’ is rewarded ONE of the Royal Navy’s unsung heroes has been rewarded for his professionalism and dedication at NATO’s headquarters. LLogs (CS) Dave Price (above) is a leading chef at SHAPE (Supreme HQ Allied Powers Europe) in Brussels, and has just left his job at the kitchens of the UK Joint Support Unit after almost three years. Before leaving Dave was presented with the Senior British Officer’s Commendation, awarded by Gen Sir Richard Sherriff. The citation talks of Dave’s “exceptional” dedication to his job and his willingness to take on extra work, to cover manning gaps, and his tireless support of charities, including SSAFA Forces Help and Help for Heroes, which often meant long hours cooking and preparing food in his own time. “He is very much an unsung hero, regularly sacrificing his personal time for the benefit of others and the best of British Cuisine,” according to the citation. His colleagues regard him as an excellent ambassador, not just for the Royal Navy but for the UK as a whole.
Dave appreciates degree of flexibility A WARRANT OFFICER on a survey vessel has managed to squeeze a degree course into his working life, thanks to the Open University. WO2 Dave Joyce, from Helensburgh, has graduated with a BA (Hons). The senior rate, who is currently the Deputy Weapon Engineering Officer in survey ship HMS Enterprise, said: “I chose to do a degree with the Open University as a constructive way to occupy my spare time and as a personal challenge. “Completing a degree whilst doing a full-time and diverse job has been a hugely satisfying achievement which will, hopefully, stand me in good stead for a second career once my military career comes to an end.”
RN officer trains up new Afghan soldiers
NAVY officer Lt Kathryn Drinkall was amongst the delighted staff and VIP guests who watched as 850 new Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers proudly paraded to mark the end of their training at the new Regional Military Training Centre (South West).
Located at Camp Shorabak, part of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand Province,
the highest set by the Afghan Government Ministry of Education. Lt Drinkall, Literacy Mentor to RMTC(SW), is pleased at the efforts made by students and staff. “The literacy rate amongst the Afghan National Army (ANA) is currently around 20 per cent,” said Lt Drinkall. “To get an 80 per cent pass rate on the first course at RMTC is a tremendous achievement for the recruits and instructors alike.
“It is an honour to be part of the mentoring team working with the ANA and see the progress that has been made.” Col ShahWali, the Commanding Officer of RMTC(SW), is keen to stress that literacy and numeracy skills are amongst the most highlyrated benefits for ANA recruits, and of national importance. “Literacy training is an important part of training for the ANA, and, overall, for Afghanistan,” he said. The 850 are the first ANA warriors to graduate at the centre, and the course has been hailed as a major success, with almost every recruit who joined up present at the final passing-out parade. The course is run and delivered by a cadre of highly-experienced ANA personnel, assisted by a multinational team drawn from the International Security Force Afghanistan (ISAF).
NETWORK Rail proved it can shift more than passengers and freight. The company is also pretty adept at shifting a field gun – taking the top two places at the annual Junior Leaders Field Gun competition at HMS Collingwood. Now in its fourth year, the competition mirrors the RN senior contest, but is predominantly for youths aged 18-25 who have just joined the Forces, just begun an apprenticeship with a major commercial organisation, or who are studying at local colleges. The event is designed to give youngsters the chance to work as part of a team, and gives them a week of dedicated training before the competition itself. Out on the track, it was Network Rail C who took the title from their B-team compatriots, with RAF Cosford in third place. Behind them were BAE Systems A, HMS Sultan and Network Rail A. Other teams competing included the Prince’s Trust and Highbury, Portsmouth and Fareham Colleges.
O Zack Barclay takes the opportunity to explore HMS Example in Blyth
Example proves Ultra supportive
PATROL boat HMS Example made the short journey from the River Tyne to the River Blyth to help launch Northumberland’s newest radio station. Commanding Officer Lt Nelson McMillan and his crew opened their ship to the general public at Blyth and invited volunteers from Bedlington-based Ultra Radio to meet the Navy. Lt McMillan, at 29, is one of the Navy’s youngest serving COs, and heads up the University RN Unit (URNU) where students from Durham, Newcastle and Northumbria universities learn about naval life. Time spent on board allows students to gain practical experience in seamanship, navigation and engineering skills. Sailing from the Tyne to Blyth were a small crew from Ultra Radio, the North East’s latest community radio, which on June 7 started broadcasting on 87.7FM to Morpeth, Bedlington, Ashington, Cramlington, Newbiggin by the Sea and Blyth.
O Samantha Dickson (right) receives her medal from Navy Command Secretary Liz Cassidy Picture: LA(Phot) Gary Weatherston
In graphic detail
Mid-morning Ultra presenter Phil Grice spent some of the time gathering material for a documentary about his stint on board Example, and was delighted with his seafaring experience. “This was a tremendous opportunity to let the public see how a Royal Navy vessel operates,” he said. “We had a great time interviewing the crew and her visitors from Blyth, and we’ll play back the recordings on my show on Ultra Radio. “The passage to Blyth was a bit bumpy but the welcome from the people of Blyth more than made up for it.” Lt McMillan agreed: “The Royal Navy has a close link with the people of Blyth and our traditional association, together with this exciting and brand new community radio station, can only be of benefit to everyone concerned. “We really look forward to returning soon and listening to Ultra Radio too.”
A NAVY graphics officer who worked with the US Marine Corps’ PsyOps Cell in Afghanistan has been presented with her Operational Service Medal. Samantha Dickson, of the Fleet Publications and Graphics Organisation, was the only MOD civilian in the Fires and Effects Coordination Centre, deployed on combat operations alongside the US Marines and British military. As the sole Graphics Officer employed within Information Operations, using a broad range of graphic design and communication skills, Samantha
what’s going on. The 32-year-old, who used to be a dairy herdsman but joined the Royal Marines in 2004, says that so far the tour has lived up to his expectations: “I like having the opportunity to get out and about and see the area of Nad-e Ali North where 42 Cdo are based. “It’s busy but it’s interesting. We recently took over a new checkpoint and it was my job to set up all the signalling equipment, from antennae to radios, to enable the checkpoint to have comms with the bosses back at HQ. “We’ve had quite a few contacts with the insurgents, especially during Omid Haft, but we do feel we’re providing a safe and secure environment for locals to live without fear of intimidation.” Cpl Simpson (right of picture), who is Jimmy’s neighbour on the married patch in Plymouth, is a Royal Military Policeman who is attached to 42 Cdo. “I get involved in a number of jobs, from the arresting and detaining of insurgents to the preservation of evidence,” he said. “So far the tour has been better than I thought. We’ve all knitted together extremely well showing
the true esprit de corps that the Royals have.” Mne Povey, 24, knows that spirit all too well – this is his third tour of Afghanistan. The signaller works alongside Cpl Edmunds, and this is his first Helmand summer. “The tour so far has been hard both mentally and physically, with the heat often exceeding 45
worked within the Perception Cell that was responsible for influencing and changing attitudes and perceptions towards both coalition forces and their aims and those of the insurgents. Working long hours and to tight deadlines, Samantha visited other regions at great personal risk, and has created the foundation for future such work, including an intranet-accessible product book. She was also awarded a prized Certificate of Commendation signed by Maj Gen John A Toolan, USMC Commanding.
Friends on the front line
O Naval Secretary Rear Admiral David Steel (second left) with Cdr Ken McKenzie (left), George Brann and Lt Cdr Toby Evison
Personnel praise
WHILE those on the front line deservedly win praise for their dedication and courage, a senior Naval officer is ensuring that the efforts of those who support them are also recognised. Chief of Staff (Personnel) Rear Admiral David Steel held a ceremony at the National Museum for the Royal Navy in Portsmouth to present three certificates of commendation to people who have made outstanding contributions
RMTC(SW) turns raw recruits from all over Afghanistan into trained soldiers, ready to join their kandaks (regiments) on operations in Helmand. The intensive two-month Basic Warrior Training Course covers military subjects and gives recruits literacy and numeracy skills. More than 80 per cent of the course achieved a literacy qualification and 38 warriors were awarded Level 3 certificates,
C Team the right track
to the Personnel Division. Cdr Ken McKenzie was recognised for his “outstanding business and financial management,” Lt Cdr Toby Evison won his award for his “unparalleled impact in promoting the Naval Service’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion,” and George Brann was rewarded for his “immensely effective and important contribution to the Royal Navy Casework Cell.”
IN THE UK, they live just minutes apart and often share a drink together at the end of a hard week. In Afghanistan, Cpl Lee Simpson, Mne Kevin Povey and Cpl Jimmy Edmunds are rarely more than a few feet from each other and rely on one another to get through a gruelling six month tour away from their families. The three Royal Marines are all serving in Lima Company (L Coy) of 42 Commando in the heart of the Green Zone in Central Helmand. They and their colleagues were recently at the forefront of a major operation involving British and Afghan forces which saw them enter insurgent territory to drive out the enemy and bring more people under the protective security of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan National Security Forces. Cpl Edmunds (left of picture) is a signaller, responsible for the maintenance and care of all the communications equipment when L Coy is out on the ground. It’s his job to make sure that the Company Commander can keep in touch with other units and HQ to keep them up to date with
Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Hillhouse
degrees and carrying equipment over 90lbs,” he said. “Mental toughness is required to see you through the long days of patrolling and constant monitoring of communication systems. “The lads of the company remain high-spirited though, and are definitely seeing a difference by giving the people of Afghanistan somewhere safe to live and work.”