Ex SCOUTING DRAGON

Additive Manufacturing

Mechanic Badge

On the 23 September 2022, a group of Cubs, Scouts and Explorers from Pelsall in the Black Country, came to MOD Lyneham for three days camp as part of Ex SCOUTING DRAGON 22.

The event was organised by Sgt Paul Adams from 15 Field Company, 5 Battalion REME, and his Wife Nicky Adams, who runs the 3rd Pelsall Cubs Group. On the Friday night they arrived at 1st Lyneham Scout hut, which is located next to 5 Battalion’s Countess of Wessex Lines, where they were met by Sgt Adams with REME Goodie bags supplied by the Corp Engagement Team.

The main events started on Saturday morning with a Tour of The Countess of Wessex Lines, where they were introduced to Additive Manufacturing by LCpl Gurung and LCpl Harrad

They then had chance to use the Battalion’s Augmented Reality Equipment with Cpl Barry, being from the digital age they picked it up very quickly compared to the more senior soldiers.

Then they moved on to earning their Mechanic Badge with LCpl Cannon and Cfn Mander, who taught them how to complete first parades and wheel changes. Their only mistake was to show the children where the horn was, so it was quickly disconnected and then reconnected by one of the more mechanical minded Scouts.

After lunch they headed to Heavy A line to see 8 Training Battalion’s vast selection of Armoured and tracked vehicles.

Next stop was the FOB, where they took part in metal detecting to find sweets wrapped in foil with Cfn Dodson and Cfn Mander, but to keep it a little harder they also buried cans in the ground too. Soon it was time to get hands on with an SVR with Cfn Johnson and LCpl Scott, who showed them how to use the crane by popping balloons and once again they found the horn.

Then it was the turn of Cfn Bates and Cfn McHere Banda to put them through their paces in the night vision maze; to find DJ Jeff and REME Bear (3rd Pelsall and REME Museum Mascots)

After a quick pause to take on hot chocolate, they tried on some kit and equipment. They then had chance to up their ‘hide and seek’ skills with Cpl Barry and Cfn Mackenzie, on their Camouflage and Concealment stand. During this stand the group became convinced that it was Cfn Mackenzie’s moustache that made him so good at Camouflage and Concealment as he blended in with the grass.

After a refuel at the cook house they were off back to 5 Bn for a survival lesson with Sgt Adams, before finishing the day at 1st

Augmented Reality Heavy Line Tour

Heavy Line Tour 2 CBRN kit

Lyneham Scout hut for some campfire cooking with the Group Leaders.

On Sunday it was the REME Museum’s turn to shine with Andrew Skelton giving a tour of the Museum, followed by an engineering challenge. Unsurprisingly the team with Sgt Adams and his 20 years of Mechanical knowledge won the challenge. They then finished the day with a chance to use the Museum’s mini obstacle course and playground, before heading back home.

SVR Crane Game Camp fire cooking

Camouflage The bears with some night vision kit

Engineering Challenge Camouflage 2

Due to the pandemic and cost of living crisis, most of the children have not been able to attend a scouting camp or any big trips before. All that visited MOD Lyneham agreed that it was a fantastic weekend and possibly the best Scouting trip they had ever been on. This was only made possible through the assistance of 5 Bn, 8 Trg Bn, RHQ, the Corp Engagement Team and the Regimental restaurant. Those that help with running the stands, set the gold standard for working within the public eye. Hopefully the memories and skills the Cubs, Scouts and Explorers gained will last a lifetime.

In the museum Survival lesson