Royal Corps Of Signals Sharpen Their Skills In Cyprus
Infanteering is not common for the Royal Signals, whose main task is to ensure safe and secure communication during operations.
Members of the Royal Signals refreshed their soldiering skills on Exercise Lion Sun 3 in Dhekelia, Cyprus.
The Royal Corps of Signals practised the platoon level attack, a much different task from their day jobs in communications.
"It's great for the guys to get together, give orders, receive orders, think about things in a different context and exercise them in a different environment, something outside their comfort zone and in a foreign country," said Major Tom Skinner, Officer Commanding of 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron.
Infanteering is not common for the Royal Signals, whose main task is to ensure safe and secure communication during operations.
The exercise in Cyprus allowed them to leave technology behind and focus on the practical side of combat.
"Whenever we go for this kind of exercises, [our training in Catterick] kicks in," said Lance Corporal Uttam Rai, from 2 Signal Regiment.
Alongside the signallers, the exercise was joined by troops from a whole host of other attached trades - from chefs to members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).
Based in York, 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron is part of 2 Signal Regiment and provides networks and satellite communications for the UK’s Joint Expeditionary Force.
Over the past twelve months, the signallers had men and women deployed to the Falklands, Kenya, Somalia and Egypt.
"It's really handy to go back and start doing military skills again. There is a lot of skills fade that goes on after you do Phase I training," said Lance Corporal Ben Warren, from the 1 Signal Regiment.
"It's good to go out and refresh old memory and bring your skills back up to a professional level."
Following this platoon level test, the signallers will move on to a company level attack and the finale of this exercise.
