Bdr Sanderson 22 (Gibraltar 1179-1783) Battery RA

October - November 2010

"This is where I started my training to become a Mini Unmanned Air System (MUAS) commander on the Desert Hawk III (DH3) aircraft. The training was held in California. Over a two week period we were taught how to maintain the system, the theory behind operating it while also conducting numerous live flying practices."

January - March 2011

"From the end of January I was informed that I was going to Kenya as a DH3 pilot supporting an infantry Battle group. When we first arrived there was so much to do; preparing the vehicles, the communications equipment and of course the MUAS system itself. Once the Detachment was ready we made an eight hour journey in land rovers in the blazing heat up to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Twigger. The whole Kenya experience was fantastic as I got to see a part of the world I had never seen and I got to fly DH3 and put my training into practice for the first time in a truly testing environment."

April

"Just after Easter leave I was delighted to hear that my name had been put forward to take part in an expedition in Borneo. However, there was a selection process on Salisbury plain, to ensure our map reading and team skills were of a high enough standard. We were told that we would be notified if we were going. To my surprise I was picked. This is where my challenge really began as I had to teach myself the last post and reveille (I play the bugle) as well as train for an arduous trek across the jungle!"

May - June

"In order to be eligible to promote to the rank of Bombardier, I like all other Lance Bombardiers in the Royal Artillery, was required to undertake a Junior Non Commissioned Officer (JNCO) leadership course. The 32 Regt JNCO course was held in Okehampton, Devon, the course was physically and mentally challenging. It was four weeks of field craft held in Dartmoor. All the students on the course found it tough. There were several challenges such as a night/morning navigational exercise that took us throughout the night to complete, also there were many log runs and assault courses. At the end of the course it was announced that I was top student! While immensely proud I was relieved it was all over!"

June - August

"On completion of the JNCO course, I was promoted to Bombardier and continued training for my expedition to Borneo. This consisted of hours of endurance marches, 'spinning' and bugle practice!"

August

"While the Regiment was on summer leave I started a 14 hour plane journey to Malaysia. The trek we were about to attempt would recreate the 165 mile trek through the Borneo jungle that the POW's completed during World War 2. No British soldiers survived the Original march but 6 Australians did.
We arrived at Bruin and had a week acclimatising and being taught jungle lessons, we also had a dinner invitation to the President of Malaysia's house. Then the trek began, it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my army career, the jungle is not a nice place - any cut, graze or injury can be fatal. The trek lasted 15 days. In the 15 days the 14 group members had completed a fraction of the 165 miles which no one had ever completed before. There was a wealth of media interest, with local and International press covering our journey. At the end of the trek we had a memorial presentation where I had to play the bugle. I have never been so nervous in my life; there was the Royal Malaysian family, diplomats and British Embassy staff all in attendance. It was a very emotional experience and I felt extremely proud that I had represented the British army."

September - November

"Training for Afghanistan has now begun with DH3 exercises around the UK. In Otterburn, I learned the basics of being a DH3 commander. Sennybridge was hard work, we conducted team building tasks such as the famous assault course with the epic regain, section attacks onto FOB's, base protection, valon training and counter IED training.
In all a very busy but extremely rewarding 12 months and I am looking forward to deploying to Afghanistan next year."