Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment have received operational medals for their service on Operation CABRIT in Poland
The medals were presented at a parade at Kendrew Barracks in front of families, friends and fellow soldiers
Operation CABRIT is the UK's contribution to NATO's mission in eastern Europe, where troops train together to strengthen security on NATO’s eastern flank and deter regional aggression
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, have been presented with operational medals in recognition of their service on Operation CABRIT in Poland.
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment received their operational service medals at a parade held at Kendrew Barracks.
Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse presents the Operational Service Medal to Private Sean Dodds, 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian at Kendrew Barracks.
Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse at Kendrew Barracks.
Soldiers of 1st Battalion and 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment take the Salute from Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse at Kendrew Barracks.
2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Colour Party in Kendrew Barracks.
The medals were presented during a parade at Kendrew Barracks in front of families, friends and fellow members of the Regiment.
Around 150 soldiers from the battalion's Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Group deployed to Poland as part of Operation CABRIT, the UK's contribution to NATO's mission in eastern Europe. The troops were part of a US-led multinational battlegroup that also included Croatian, Romanian and Polish soldiers, based at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area in north-east Poland.
During the deployment, the soldiers undertook a demanding programme of training. This began with basic field training before progressing to urban warfare exercises designed to test their ability to operate effectively in built-up areas. The final stage saw soldiers take part in a large-scale live-fire exercise alongside the US-led battlegroup.
The Anti-Tank Platoon strengthened its skills on the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system and the NLAW (Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon), both used to destroy armoured vehicles at short to medium range. Meanwhile, the Patrols Platoon completed demanding field exercises and a Sniper Operator's Course. Soldiers also worked alongside NATO aircraft supporting the Baltic Air Policing mission.
One of the deployment's most challenging phases saw the battlegroup conduct a major road move from Poland through Lithuania and Latvia into Estonia. This culminated in Exercise Winter Camp, where troops demonstrated their ability to operate and fight in extreme winter conditions.
Joined by their families and fellow members of the Regiment, those on parade reflected on a demanding and rewarding deployment. Throughout, they worked closely with NATO allies from across Europe and North America.
"Receiving these medals in front of our families and fellow soldiers made today particularly special. They recognise the hard work, professionalism and commitment shown by everyone throughout the deployment.”
Major Alex Langley, Officer Commanding D (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire) Company, who led the operation, said:
"Receiving these medals in front of our families and fellow soldiers made today particularly special. They recognise the hard work, professionalism and commitment shown by everyone throughout the deployment.
"Looking back on the deployment, what stood out most was the level of integration across the battlegroup. We were not operating as separate national contingents, we were working as one team with a shared purpose."
Operation CABRIT is part of NATO's Forward Land Forces, helping to deter aggression and reassure allies across eastern Europe.
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