Commanding Officer's Overview

"Over the past month I have been privileged to present campaign medals to D Battery RHA soldiers, whilst on parade with 4th Regt RA in Sunderland, and then to have visited C Battery RHA in Otterburn for their pre-deployment training (PDT) in readiness for deployment to Afghanistan in Spring 2011.  At the same time, I hear tremendous things about our soldiers from J (Sidi Rezegh) Battery RHA and N Battery RHA (The Eagle Troop) who are currently fighting in Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 13.  Meanwhile, M (Headquarters) Battery RHA are fully engaged with Headquarters 7 Armoured Brigade and their myriad of training support tasks.  Looking ahead, Bergen-Hohne will be a busy place in the next few weeks as we welcome D Battery RHA back in to the fold and C Battery RHA will return from 5 weeks of PDT in the UK.  Christmas Leave is just around the corner as too, I sense, is the cold German Winter!"

 

Operational Commitments

3 RHA has been tasked to support consecutive operational commitments to Afghanistan.  D Bty RHA deployed with 4 Regt RA in support of 1 LANCS and have only recently returned.  J (Sidi Rezegh) Bty RHA, supported by Fire Support Teams (FSTs) from N Bty RHA (The Eagle Troop) have deployed with 7 PARA RHA on Operation HERRICK 13.  C Bty RHA are now committed to Operation HERRICK 14 as part of 29 Cdo Regt RA and will support 4 SCOTS.  They deploy in 2011.  These operational commitments have all been preceded by extensive training packages which have seen the batteries undergo training in the UK, Germany, Kenya, Canada and the USA allowing the men and women of 3 RHA to develop their low level skills and work in an all-arms environment. By the time C Bty RHA return from Operation HERRICK 14, over 200 soldiers from 3 RHA will have deployed to Afghanistan.  The remaining soldiers remain heavily committed, picking up several essential training support tasks in support of this pre-deployment training.  This has seen elements of M (HQ) Bty RHA deploy in support of several Command and Staff Training exercises in the UK and Germany, as well as providing Real Life Support to units who have passed through UK based exercises aimed at improving field craft skills.

 

Training.

Besides the Afghanistan commitment, 3 RHA is providing an element of the Small Scale Contingency Headquarters in support of 7th Armoured Brigade.  This requirement will see 3 RHA undertake several exercises to test the rapid mobilisation of the Headquarters and will include an exercise with the French in 2011.

 

3 RHA is not just committed to exercises and training in preparation for operations.  The Training Wing remains busy providing a range of career courses for soldiers who are not yet committed to operations and is planning the training programme for D Bty RHA as it returns to normal regimental life after a successful tour of Afghanistan. Adventure Training will be a major factor in 2011, with D Bty RHA undertaking free fall parachuting and diving expeditions - to name a few activities - early in the New Year.  The other batteries will all undertake a similar Adventure Training package on return from their own tours of Afghanistan.

Sport has always been a major part of regimental life in 3 RHA, and remains so even though the Regiment is heavily committed to operations, exercises, training and training support.  2010 saw the Regiment retains its status in the Army's premier winter sport - skiing.  The Regimental Nordic Team won the Army's Patrol Race in Rupholding in February and came 2nd in the overall competition.  The Regiment was also successful in other sports winning the British Army (Germany) Football (North League) and outdoor 6-a-side Hockey Championships, whilst achieving runners up in the Tug of War.  Even though the Regiment's ability to enter teams has been affected by the extent of commitments, the Regiment has maintained a presence at Army and Inter Service level sport in football, rugby, martial arts, boxing, modern pentathlon, badminton, motor sports, triathlon, volleyball and alpine skiing, and at national level in nordic skiing.
 

Events.

RHA have retained a strong family tradition both at home and amongst the wider Regimental family. The Regiment has run several Regimental days which, regardless of the extent of commitments, has seen the Regiment stopping work for the day to enjoy a day of activities.  The annual Past and Present Members Association (PPMA) Dinner was a great success in September, with over 150 past Regimental members meeting for an evening's entertainment.