152 (NORTH IRISH) REGIMENT RLC – QUARTERLY UPDATE

Army Reserve OSC

The annual Army Reserve Operational Shooting Competition takes place at Pirbright ranges and at the headquarters of the National Rifle Association in Bisley.  It is the culmination of Army Reserve shooting season and is extremely competitive with all the teams having to qualify via their respective Divisional Championships.  The meeting tests all the competitors’ shooting skills designed to simulate every operational scenario including casualty recovery, section attacks – both the primary (rifle) and secondary (pistol) are used in distances from 500m to 10m.

Significantly the Regiment snapped up an unprecedented total of 16 trophies, including the Champion Unit for the first time in the Regiments history as well as the most prestigious individual prize the Queens Medal, which was won by Private McClure again a first for the Regiment.  Instituted by Queen Victoria in 1869, for the Best Shot in the British Army, re-introduced by King George V.  It could then be awarded to the champion of Army marksmanship competitions, held under battle conditions, at annual central meetings.

Lt Col Chambers the Commanding Officer commented “This is a huge day for the Regiment being crowned as the Champion Unit at the Army Reserve OSC, but it is an even bigger day for Private McClure winning the Queens Medal – I could not be prouder of the achievements of the entire 152 RLC Shooting Team they have been absolutely outstanding.”  
Only the top 50 competitors earn the right to wear the coveted Army Reserve 50 badge on the left forearm, for the duration of their entire Army career.  Remarkably all eight members of the 152 team made the Top 50 with the lowest placed shooter being 39th – again another first for the Regiment. This is only the second time in the history of the competition, that all the entire team members from one Unit have made the Top 50 – again another remarkable achievement.  The Regimental Shooting team are now looking forward to the Army Reserve Pistol Competition which will be held in September.  

Ex FINN GLACIER 2

After the resounding success of last year’s level 3 AT expedition, Ex FINN GLACIER 2 saw 25 personnel from the regiment travel to France to undertake a multi-activity training package that would test fitness, leadership and mental robustness. Situated in the Chamonix valley, the group undertook mountain familiarisation through alpine trekking, topping heights of 3000m, as well as rock-climbing and white-water rafting. 

The main effort of Ex FINN GLACIER, which was solely planned and executed by Reservists, was to climb the Glacier du Tour and summit the Petit Fourche, some 3500m up. This is considered to be one of the best climbs in the Alps.  This exercise epitomises the benefits of AT, particularly for Reservists who can now utilise the personnel development they gained from this once in a lifetime experience. 

Look Forward

152 (North Irish) Regiment RLC, accompanied by personnel from 9 Regt RLC, are due to deploy on their annual exchange visit, this time to New Jersey (USA) to take part in the largest fuel exercise in North America. The Quartermaster Liquid Logistic Exercise, hosted by the 327th QM Bn, 316th Expeditionary Support Command (ESC), will see our Petroleum Operators enhance their trade skills as well as their interoperability with their US counterparts.

Ex VIKING STAR is the regiment’s main effort for the year. The OTX will see over 120 personnel from across the unit move to Denmark and engage in a two-week BCCS and StA training package which will include cross exercise activity with 4 YORKS.