Reserves News
Use of the Reserve Forces in the Olympics |  | 
Support to the Games will be an important task for Defence in 2012, but it will not divert them from their core business and main effort. During the Games, Defence will maintain its commitment to the protection of the UK, to current operations in Afghanistan, and to other standing commitments worldwide, including the ability to respond to the unexpected. It has been normal practice in recent Olympics for military to support safety and security. The UK’s Defence contribution is on a similar scale to that deployed at other recent Games and will contribute to ensuring a safe, secure and enjoyable 2012 Olympics. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been fully involved in Olympic security planning work and the Government has agreed that the armed forces will provide the civilian authorities with support, making the best use of the UK’s resources. Defence is preparing to contribute up to 13,500 personnel over the Games period as a whole in order to support the Police, and other civil and Olympic authorities, in the delivery of a safe and secure Games. Approximately 1,750 of these Defence personnel are expected to be Reservists. Wherever possible the priority will be to minimise the impact on employers and where possible to mobilise those Reservists that have a more flexible situation. Therefore the MOD will continue to apply its policy of Intelligent Selection, designed to identify those Reservists with the training, skills and availability for mobilisation, in order to minimise the impact of mobilisation upon the individual, their family and employer. The dialogue with a Reservist’s employer is an important part of Intelligent Selection and is undertaken by the Reservist’s local unit, supported by central and regional organisations, such as SaBRE . Cost is always a matter to be considered. The MOD will use personnel who offer the best result and the best value. Reservists offer specialist skills, local knowledge and are often more readily available than regulars who may be preparing for, or recovering from operations. For the individual Reservist the Olympics will provide an opportunity to participate in operations, possibly in direct support of their own communities. The focus of the Government and everyone involved is to deliver a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games that London, the UK and the world can enjoy, and the MOD appreciates employers’ support of their Reservist employee in making this happen. If you have any specific questions or concerns you can contact us on our helpline (0800 389 5459) or get in touch with your local This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can find more information about employing a Reservist on our website. 14th February 2012 D Squadron 254 Medical Regiment - Hitchin Town Football Club hold Armed Forces Day | |
Tom Dean, from Stevenage, was the mascot at Hitchin Town Football Club’s home game against Chesham on Saturday. It was all part of the club’s Armed Forces Day, in which members of the army, Royal Navy and RAF were invited to the game for free. Tom’s father, Sergeant Andy Dean, a member of the D-Squadron 254 Medical Regiment based in Bedford Road, is currently serving in Afghanistan.
“This year is an active time for D Squadron and will see a further three members deploying in the next few months from both the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Royal Logistics Corp, with a number of others due to deploy at the end of the year.” The family of Sergeant Derrick Sims, who is also serving in Afghanistan, were at the match too.
“I was born and grew up in Hitchin, and am proud to have the support of the club and their supporters while I continue my duties out here.” The event raised more than £250 for the Royal British Legion. Source - The Comet 24 6th February 2012 2623 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment - Prince Harry visits RAF Honington | |
Prince Harry, who has just qualified as a fully-operational Apache attack helicopter pilot after successfully completing 18 months of training and is based nearby at Wattisham, is RAF Honington's Honorary Air Commandant. During his visit he was shown armoured vehicles, surveillance aids and communication equipment and he also took the opportunity to present a number of awards and a medal. RAF Honington is home to 1, II, 15, 26 and 27 Squadrons of the RAF Regiment, the Defence Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Wing, 2623 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment, the 1st Royal Tank Regiment and a medical Regional Rehabilitation Unit. It is also home to the RAF Regiment's Force Headquarters, its Training Wing and the RAF's Force Protection Centre. Group Captain Andrew Hall, RAF Honington's Station Commander, said:
Jackie Hall, the wife of the Station Commander, said:
Jenny O'Keeffe, the wife of a II Squadron Corporal, said:
Elexa Williams, who was with her 21-month-old daughter Luna, said:
Prince Harry last visited RAF Honington in July 2010 when he opened a new Junior Ranks dining facility and presented two Elizabeth Crosses. 14th February 2012 Reservists to be called up for Olympics duties | |
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond today informed Parliament that a call-out order has been made under the Reserve Forces Act and that call-out notices will soon be issued to reservists and their employers.
In providing support to the police, and other civil and olympic authorities, Defence will contribute up to 13,500 military personnel at the busiest part of the Games, of which up to 2,100, around 15 per cent, will come from the Reserve Forces. Some reservists will provide a range of specialist capabilities and expertise while the majority will form part of the support to olympic venue security operations. Reservists and employers will be given 60 days' notice and the MOD will apply its policy of 'intelligent selection', designed to identify, in good time, those willing reservists with supportive employers with the requisite training, skills and availability. The dialogue with a reservist's employer is an important part of intelligent selection and is undertaken by the reservist and their local unit, supported by central and regional organisations. Since 2008, around 2,300 reservists per year have been called out for operations around the world, to support and strengthen the Defence effort, while at a peak in 2004, reservists made up 20 per cent of our forces in Iraq and 12 per cent in Afghanistan. The Reserves will be taking on an enhanced role, following the decision to invest £1.8bn in equipment and training as we move to a more integrated force by 2020. There are currently almost 600 reservists in Afghanistan, representing some six per cent of the deployed force. As well as augmenting regular units, reservists supply vital skills, in particular medical and niche logistical and communication expertise. Both the reservist and overall Defence contribution is on a similar scale to that deployed by other nations at recent Olympic Games and will contribute to ensuring a safe, secure and enjoyable 2012 Olympics. The call-out order takes effect from 16 February 2012 and ceases to have effect on 20 September 2012. 20th February 2012 |
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Ceremony and celebration are central to the Olympic spirit. The Games will be an excellent opportunity to showcase the UK, including iconic British symbols.
A nine-year-old boy whose father is serving in Afghanistan was the mascot at a football match.
Captain Jim McFarland, from D Squadron, said: “The day was a great success with the money raised going to an excellent organisation who contribute so much to both serving and ex members of all services.
Speaking from Afghanistan, Sgt Sims said: “My school PE teacher, Bryan Williams, was a player and a coach for Hitchin Town many years ago, and doubtless his lessons are partly responsible for my current level of fitness that I rely upon each day while completing my foot patrols through the Afghan countryside.
Prince Harry recently visited RAF Honington in Suffolk and met station personnel and their families as well as being shown a selection of the unit's state-of-the-art military equipment.
Willing reservists are to be called out for permanent service as part of Defence's overall contribution to security at the London Olympic Games later this year.
2012 sees the retirement, at age 60, of Captain John Lynch, Quartermaster and Regimental Administration Officer at the OTC since 1999. It also marks his leaving the Army after a remarkable and devoted 43 year career. Known widely around the Army, the OTC has been lucky to have him all these years; and to the Irish Guards and to the Household Division more generally he will remain a revered figure. An excellent soldier, superb Sandhurst instructor, natural showman, formidable RSM and wise Late Entry Officer he influenced several generations. During his time at Cambridge he served 6 Commanding Officers and he inspired more than 1000 young undergraduates passing through his hands at the OTC. Most will recall the emerald glint in his eye, a sharp-tongued protector of the standards of the British Army and a deeply committed public servant. He was made MBE in 2001 and he has already served on the Bench as a JP in Hertfordshire for more than a decade. We wish John a long and happy retirement together with wife Lynn and their large family. A retirement dinner will be hold in Cambridge on Friday 27 April 2012.
The Combat Support Wing of Cambridge University Officer Training Corps have recently published an annual overview. 
The Victory Services Club is a prestigious tri-service, all ranks Military Club for Retired and Serving Members of the Armed Forces Personnel based in the very heart of London’s West End, at Marble Arch 
A special film show will be held this month at the Wymondham Ex-Services’ Club to raise funds for the 389th Bomb Group Memorial Museum at Hethel and the Royal Signals organisation.