MARITIME RESERVE
Mersey misery for reigning champs RESERVISTS from the three UK military services – and foreign colleagues – gathered in Liverpool to test their physical, mental and military skills.
More than 250 men and women descended on Altcar Camp for the 31st annual Exercise Altcar Challenge. The Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Marines Reserve sent participants, and volunteers, to help run the competition which saw teams of four taking on a series of challenges that pushed them to the limit. It is the only annual tri-Service international competition organised exclusively for reserve forces in the UK and with RMR Merseyside the reigning champions the battle to snatch the title from Liverpool was fierce. The weekend of challenges included the RMR assault course, a battlefield casualty first aid
exercise, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection, and an innovative method of fire-fighting in a tent which was run by HMS Eaglet, Liverpool. But the 20-stage competition was a real attraction for AB Ed Sheppard of HMS Ferret, who, despite planning for his wedding, still managed to get in all of his training. He said: “This competition was an example of how we use the different skills we learn as reservists, it was great fun and I was gutted to miss out last year through illness.” There was also a strong international presence at Altcar Camp over the weekend with teams coming from Poland, France, Estonia and the Czech Republic. L/Cpl John Cadwallader and Mne Marco Altibrandi, from RMR Merseyside, ran the assault course and saw teams giving it their all. L/Cpl Cadwallader said: “I was part of the winning team
last year and so could recognise those teams that were going to be hard to beat. “The weekend was a superb way for teams to push themselves and grow as a unit, but it was not quite the same as when I deployed on Herrick 12 with 40 Commando Royal Marines.” However despite a large contingent from the Maritime Reserves, it was not to be their year. RMR Merseyside lost their crown to the very well drilled Estonian team but still managed to finish a credible f o u r t h out of 45 competing teams.
l From top left, firefighting in a tent; L/Cpl John Cadwallader and Mne Marco Altibrandi demonstrate the correct way to complete the assault course; The battlefield first aid stage of the challenge; AB Liam Steel, 21, of HMS Eaglet, plays a convincing role as a casualty l AB Darryn Adams, 18, of HMS Scotia conducts a breakingcover drill during Exercise Altcar Challenge Pictures: LA(Phot) Caroline Davies
Medals for super seven PASS IT ON!
MORE than three decades after the Falklands Conflict ended seven Naval Reservists have been awarded their South Atlantic Medals at a small ceremony held at RNAS Yeovilton. The group of Naval Reservists had served across the Fleet Air Arm’s units in the months after 12 July 1982, the date for the end of hostilities, which qualified members of the Armed Forces for the South Atlantic Medal. But last year a long-awaited independent review ruled that this time should be extended by an additional three months to October 21 1982, covering a period when a threat to British forces was still at a heighted state. Presenting the medals at the RNR Air Branch Officers annual conference was Cdre Jamie Miller, Naval Regional Commander, Wales and Western England (NRCWWE). He served as a Lt Cdr onboard HMS Coventry during the conflict, before she was attacked by a wave of Argentinean A4 Skyhawks. They released three 250 kg bombs which hit the ship just above the waterline and caused the abandonment and eventual sinking of HMS Coventry. “It is a great honour to be presenting these South www.navynews.co.uk
Atlantic medals to you today”, said Cdre Miller. “It all seems so very long ago now, but it is good that you have all been recognised for your brave efforts.” Receiving medals were; Cdr Ian Halliday, WO1 Andy Mathews and Lt Cdr Jerry Newall, who all served in HMS Illustrious, Air Engineers Lt Cdr Stuart Meikle of 824 NAS and CPO Andrew ‘Whisky’ Walker of 845 NAS and Cdr Robin Wain, who served in HMS Brazen. The seventh and final Falklands medal was presented to Lt Cdr Simon Smith, who during the Falklands was a Senior Aircraftman with the RAF, but later transferred to the Senior Service. He also picked up his Operational Service Medal (OSM) for OP Silkman, where he was the Air Traffic Officer onboard HMS Ocean off the coast of Sierra Leone in 2001. Other awards were: Volunteer Reserve Service Medals (VRSM) to Lt Cdr Gareth Mills and Lt Craig Compain for seven-and-a-half years’ Reserve service; A first clasp after 12½ years service to his VRSM medal for Lt Cdr Steve McArdell; A second clasp after 17½ years to Lt Cdr Bill Powell and third clasps to their VRSM’s went to Lt Cdr Suzanne Clark and Lt Cdr Ed Oates for 22½ years Reserve service each.
WE NEED YOUR EXPERIENCE IN RECRUITING CAREERS ADVISERS
Flag Officer Sea Training is currently seeking RN and RM WOs, Senior Rates and SNCO Service leavers and ex-regulars, (those that left service under 2 years), to work in Armed Forces Career Offices around the UK.
Enlist on Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) Limited Commitment employment in a specific location. Salary from £29K with promotion opportunities to rise to £41K (rates effective from 1st April 2014). FTRS rates of pay apply (reviewed annually and pensionable). FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ADVICE ON CURRENT CAREER ADVISER VACANCIES PLEASE CALL
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e-mail: navycnr-rncrtlc@mod.uk JULY 2015 : 45