Early in the month 11 Platoon (ISAF Force Protection) conducted their mandatory OPTAG package at Lydd. This was followed by a Collective Training week organised by the Battalion at one of the new Afghan villages on STANTA. This week consisted of a day on each of the following disciplines: search, foot patrols, mobile patrols, public order and base security. On the Tuesday the  BBC came to film the training and conduct interviews with four soldiers, these appeared on Look East and BBC Norfolk on the same day. The BBC plan to visit the soldiers three more times; just before deployment, on tour and at the medal ceremony.

The Collective Training week was followed by a Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRX) based in Copehill Down Village, Salisbury Plain. The MRX saw the whole company deploy into a mock up of HQ ISAF, built by the Battalion on Sunday evening. The exercise consisted of low level incidents for both the Force Protection Platoon and the RLC Transport Troop. In addition there was a Company level Public Order Op and an Election Op. The Battalion managed to pull in many favours to ensure that the Company had external support including an IED Team, AES/ Attack Dogs, Media Ops, Amputees, OPTAG Advisors, past unit advisors and around 30
CIVPOP. This was an excellent exercise, which saw a huge increase in the capability of 11 Platoon, it was also very well executed by the Permanent Staff of the Battalion.

Whilst 11 Platoon were completing their training at SPTA, 12 Platoon who are due to deploy to Afghanistan in September were arriving at RTMC. During their training they learned that they would deploy as a MASTIFF Platoon working with the Household Cavalry Regiment. There is now much work to be done in order to train the drivers on MASTIFF and the gunners on Grenade Machine Guns and Heavy Machine Guns. The remainder of the Battalion have continued to conduct Urban Ops training, which in June was focused on Ex STEELBACK STRIKE II on Hythe Ranges. Before the four main ranges could begin, many people had to conduct an APWT and IBSR in order to be qualified. The main ranges were; Urban Team CASEVAC (in the Urban CQBR), Section Compound Assault, Pairs Street Clearing and a Team House Clearing Range. The new US M4 Rifle was taught as background activity to the ranges and the CO gave an exercise update in preparation for the deployment to Texas in July. June also saw the 49 (E) Bde Military Skills Competition. This consisted of 8 man teams from each Bde unit, but the Steelbacks entered a team per Company. The Composition was built around a 30 km march with 10 skill stands, some on basic MATT level skills and some special to arm.

Battalion teams came 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th with E Company under 2Lt Hart being the best Battalion team and scoring double points in the Inter Company Competition. During all this military training, 18 members of the Battalion still managed to deploy to Peru on a once in a lifetime adventurous training. After walking the Inca Trail, they climbed to the highest pass in the Andes. In addition, 6 members of the STEELBACKS took part in the annual Regimental Battlefield Tour to Normandy. This was an outstanding trip, enhanced by the 65th Anniversary celebrations.

Finally, the Regiment can be proud of Cpl Kelson, E Company, who became the Army Cycling Champion at the Championship held at Upavon in early June. On 27 June many members of the Battalion were invited to local events to mark Armed Forces Day. The Battalion Main Effort was at Southend, were E Company lead a march of TA, Veterans and Cadets along the High Street with CGS taking the salute. This was followed by a reception on the sea front and free entry onto the various attractions for our soldiers and their families. The Battalion had a large recruiting stand at the sea front and there was much interest in both a TA and Regular career. In April two of the Battalions WO2s attended a Commissioning Board, their commissions were confirmed on 1 June and the STEELBACKS welcome Captains Weaterall and Gratrick, both to B Company. The CO also promoted the following; SSgt Taylor RLC, Sgt Nash, Cpls Tew and Spence and LCpl Clark, Scholes, Robinson and Thomas AGC. The principal event for July will be the first leg of the reciprocal exchange with the Texas National Guard, with 150 men deploying to Camp Bowie and Fort Hood for the last two weeks of the month.