Twelve soldiers from 160th Field Artillery Battalion of the United States (US) National Guard in Oklahoma fired a Royal Gun Salute in Cardiff Bay with Reservists from 104th Regiment Royal Artillery (104 Regt RA).
Here Brigadier Mark Davis CBE (Commander 160th Welsh Brigade and Head of Army in Wales) Regiment Royal Artillery speaks to those firing the Royal Gun Salute.
Here Staff Sergeant Bethan Preston-Newman lines up with fellow reservists from the UK and US during the Gun Salute in Cardiff.
Here Deputy Lieutenant South Glamorgan Colonel Kevin Davies talks to a soldier from 160th Field Artillery Battalion.
In focus Sergeant Paulen from 160th Field Artillery Battalion from the Oklahoma US Army National Guard.
Reservists fire the Royal Gun Salute.
Soldiers from 160th Field Artillery Battalion (US Army National Guard) with soldiers from 104th Regiment Royal Artillery. Left to right: Sergeant Paulen, Gunner Logan Pugh, Staff Sergeant Bethan Preston-Newman, Sergeant Nagel, Staff Sergeant Knotek.
This is the first time soldiers from another nation have taken part in such an activity, a Royal Gun Salute.
This is all part of the Military Reserve Exchange Program (MREP), which is a US Defence-led initiative.
The 21-gun Royal Salute, to mark the Queen’s Birthday, was fired just outside the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay at 12pm yesterday and was also supported by The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh.
Major Rob Walsh, of 104 Regt RA, which is based at Raglan Barracks in Newport, said: “This is all part of the Military Reserve Exchange Program, which is a US Defence-led initiative.
“This involves personnel from all three services of their National Guard, who are also Reserve soldiers, train with the UK’s partners all over the world.
“British Army soldiers have also spent time at Camp Grayling in Michigan, including Reservists from 104 Regt RA and many other units, on many exercises over the years.
It was great to be given a bit of a cultural tour too, with a walk up to Pen y Fan and also the Big Pit in Blaenavon, as well as seeing what the King's Troop do in London."
“There is a reciprocal visit to the United States in August following 160th Field Artillery Battalion’s visit to Wales, where our troops will continue to learn and work with one of our most important allies.
“It is an opportunity for professional development and for Reservists to complete their annual training, while also gaining the understanding of the doctrine and operations of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) alliance partners.”
Sergeant First Class Taylor Hobbs, a full-time soldier from the Oklahoma US Army National Guard, said it was a “privilege and honour” to be part of the occasion in the Welsh capital.
“We spent some time going through the drills of firing the 105mm light guns at Ty Llewellyn in Cardiff with the Welsh gunners," he said.
Being part of this ceremony is quite special and it’s obviously very different to the field training you go through."
“It’s been such a cool experience.”
Lieutenant Dallas Burgess, US National Guard said: “We’ve stayed at Raglan Barracks in Newport and the Welsh gunners have been great hosts.
“Being part of this ceremony is quite special and it’s obviously very different to the field training you go through.
“We basically do the same warfighting role as 104 Regt, but we use the 155mm howitzers.
“The US/UK partnership is something which is extremely valued and it’s great to get these shared experiences and also welcome British soldiers over to the United States to keep learning from each other and develop these relationships.”
