TOUR
Headquarters at Worsley Barracks, York and ten other Territorial Army Centres throughout Yorkshire. The Battalion is part of UK based 15 (North East) Brigade and provides individual through to company groups, to support operations including HERRICK (Afghanistan), OCULUS (Kosovo), TOSCA (Cyprus) and the Falkland Islands (FIRIC).

BATTALION UPDATE - JUNE 2010

The past six months have been a relatively quiet time for the battalion. In January, we returned to a fairly low key programme, training one weekend in three. The programme concentrated on live firing from Annual Combat Marksmanship Test (ACMT) through to section level field firing between January and May. The results have been very promising and marksmanship skills across the battalion are much improved. The focus this summer is annual camp in June, which culminates in the Colours Parade and Regimental Parade through York.

OPERATIONS
The 42 soldiers deployed on Op HERRICK 11 are now all safely returned and enjoying their post operational tour leave. This has been quite a varied tour, with troops in a variety of roles across the whole of Afghanistan. We have been invited to conduct the medals parade for this tour at John Smiths Cup day at York Races on 10 July. The unit conducted a very successful medals parade there last year, so we are delighted to be invited back.

TRAINING
During Annual Camp there will be a 1-day Adventure Training package on Sun 6 Jun followed by a Company level 2-day package on the weekend of 12-13 Jun. A variety of longer overseas training packages are being planned.

APPOINTMENTS
Major Simon Newiss has assumed the role of Training Major until further notice.

FUTURE
Post camp, our focus switches to preparation for Operation HERRICK 15. We are the lead unit to support 20 Brigade with infantry and other arms reservists, supported by 3 PWRR, 4 MERCIANS, 7 RIFLES and 7 SCOTS. Our Mission Specific Training (MST) programme starts in July and runs right through to May 11, in time for mobilisation.

All in all the battalion has had a good six months and all troops now back home, an interesting and challenging annual camp imminent, and an intensive year of preparation for HERRICK 15 ahead. Longer term the cuts are beginning to bite and it is already clear that the battalion's strategic capability will be severely tested in the next few years.