LOCAL RESERVISTS TESTED ON EXERCISE LION STAR, CYPRUS

Around 100 Reservists from B Company, The 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (2 R IRISH), based in Abbotscroft and Ballymena Army Reserve Centres, recently deployed to Cyprus on Ex LION STAR, a demanding and challenging exercise that tested the resilience, fitness, individual skills and decision-making of the reservists. Designed to be as realistic as possible, Ex Lion Star prepares reservists for possible deployment.

The Reservists were joined on exercise by 20 soldiers from 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), based in Palace Barracks, who provided reconnaissance and sniper capability throughout the exercise.

Based around a light infantry company group, the B Company soldiers deployed into their Area of Operation (AO) in the Western Sovereign Base Area located around Episkopi Garrison.  Initial training focussed on low level Section and Platoon level tactics, but quickly built up to more demanding Company level tactics.  The exercise culminated in a series of Company level operations against enemy positions within their AO, with a final attack against enemy positions in the abandoned village of Paramali.

A number of employers of reservists who travelled out to Cyprus and were hosted by the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association (RFCA) and 2 R IRISH, witnessed the soldiers during the final attack, gaining an appreciation of the leadership and teamwork skills their employees learn and develop in a challenging and demanding environment outside of their civilian employment.

Prior to their return to Northern Ireland the Reservists were able to participate in some Adventurous Training including hill walking, mountain biking and scuba diving. 

For some of the soldiers from B Company in Abbotscroft and Ballymena, this was their first overseas training exercise and some will see a return to Cyprus on their first operational tour later in the year when they deploy as part of a 2 R IRISH platoon supporting 1 SCOTS on Op TOSCA, the UN Peace Keeping Mission to Cyprus (UNFICYP)

Lance Corporal Selfridge, a Reservist from Ballymena, described some of the highpoints of the exercise, “A very constructive exercise given the short amount of time. We sharpened our skills in urban operations, basic tactics, patrolling and first aid, the most vital things we need to be good at as infantry.  Overall the exercise tested my leadership skills on a range of levels. The exercise was challenging, but the professionalism and camaraderie of my fellow Reservists also made it enjoyable.” 

Ballymena Reservist Gary Wilkins is the Company Quartermaster Sergeant whose main role is to make sure that the soldiers are properly kitted out. He explained the scale of the preparation required for such an exercise, “To administer up to 120 Reserve and Regular soldiers deploying to Cyprus from both Northern Ireland and Great Britain has made use of all my previous experience and training.  The responsibility has been fantastic – making sure the guys have ammunition and water, are fed on time, and their kit is in the right place at the right time. There is a real sense of satisfaction and pride seeing it all come together and being part of such a professional Reserve organisation.”

Carrick Ranger Hendry enjoyed the variety over the course of the exercise, “The tempo of the exercise and the variety of tasks was very good. I was able to build on my current skills and also learn new skills from other experienced soldiers in the company. The opportunity to go scuba diving, something that I’ve never done before, was a great experience. There is also something special about getting to deploy on an overseas exercise such as Lion Star – I’ll have those memories for quite some time”  

The Officer Commanding B Company Major Gordie Mahood, a Ballyclare Reservist himself, summed up Exercise Lion Star.

“Army Reserve training produces a mentally and physically robust person, often more confident and committed than when they joined. It allows people to experience something totally different to the more mundane routine of normal life. The Army Reserve also develops leadership and management skills through the diverse number of situations a Reservist finds himself in – at home or abroad, and usually in demanding environments.”