Gurkha logisticians officially welcomed to Army's global response force with parade in Colchester

Gurkha logisticians have been formally welcomed into the British Army's global response force as it expands in size and capabilities.

15 Air Assault Support Squadron Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment officially joined 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team at a parade at Merville Barracks, Colchester.

Set to music by The Band and Bugles of The Rifles, the parade was also inspected by Brigadier Patch Reehal, Colonel of the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment.

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Major Blair Cowan, Officer Commanding 15 Air Assault Support Squadron, said the move was both "exciting and challenging", adding the parade has "been a fantastic occasion to celebrate that". 

"We are professional military logisticians and our fundamental work to ensure that troops have the necessary supplies remains the same, but we are adapting to suit the unique needs and specialities of our new role," he said.

The squadron has joined 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, responsible for supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade – and trained to deploy by parachute, helicopter and air landing.

Corporal Raj Gurung, responsible for organising the training of 15 Air Assault Support Squadron, said personnel have been "going through a period of individual training".

"Soldiers are doing courses to run helicopter landing sites, move vehicles and equipment by helicopter as underslung loads, and manage drop zones for parachuting supplies," he said.

Personnel from 15 Air Assault Support Squadron will move from Abingdon to Colchester, joining the city's existing Nepali community – many ex-Gurkhas settled in Colchester after 10 Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment was based in the city from 2001 to 2004.

The move forms part of the British Army's Future Soldier vision, setting out to try to create a more "agile, integrated, lethal and expeditionary Army", according to the British Army.

A Gurkha engineer squadron has also been added to 23 Parachute Engineer Squadron, with an extra gun battery joining 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery to create the Brigade Combat Team's third battlegroup.