The 1st Battalion (1 LANCS for short) is a Light Role Infantry Battalion (600 men and women) of the Regular Army, stationed in Somme Barracks, Catterick. In this role the Battalion is equipped to deploy anywhere in the world to operate on foot, in vehicles or in helicopters. The last few months have been another busy period for everybody in the 1st Battalion. The majority of the Battalion has returned from Canada following a highly successful summer during which all of its training objectives were achieved. The time in Canada delivered all it promised.

Corunna Company prepares to assault an objective.

1 LANCS conducted Battlegroup level exercises integrating armour, infantry and artillery with live ammunition and then with blank ammunition and a live enemy who thought for himself! In between the military exercises there were sufficient periods of stand down to allow adventure training such as mountain climbing, white water rafting and horse riding, as well as road trips to such far flung places as San Diego and more remote places in Canada. It was a truly memorable trip for all concerned.

1 LANCS mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies.

Following a week's leave, the focus of the Battalion switched firmly to preparation for operations with a deployment to Afghanistan likely late next year. Preparation for operations will see the Battalion undertake numerous collective training exercises as well as a multitude of individual training courses, all of which are aimed at ensuring our soldiers and officers are properly prepared for the challenges that they may face in Afghanistan.