WCIT Visit to MoD Stafford
On Wednesday 8 July 26, we were welcomed by the Royal Signals to MoD Stafford for a ‘Day in the life of a Regiment’ event. The day started with a series of briefings on the Royal Corps of Signals and each of the three units we would be visiting throughout the day.
Our first visit was to 22 Signal Regiment whose role is to provide NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) HQ. Forming part of 1(UK) Signal Brigade, the regiment has over 500 personnel across 4 Signal Squadrons and a Support Squadron, coordinated by the Regimental HQ. Once at the Regiment, we were able to view the Falcon Vehicle Systems (see pictures below) and some of the satellite communications equipment the Regiment maintains and deploys.
While at the Regiment we also received a briefing from members of the Queens Gurkha Signals (who form two Squadrons within the Regiment) on Exercise Arrcade Strike – the covert deployment of hundreds of soldiers and 50 tons of equipment to set up and operate an ARRC under Charing Cross tube station. It was interesting to meet with some of the team who were able to share some of the technical and practical challenges they faced during the weeks below ground.
We next met with members of 16 Signal Regiment. Their role is to be at readiness to deliver combat communications support to Operational and Theatre Sustainment Brigades, and the Field Hospital. This means that they provide services to several units including 2 Medical Group and 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade (both within 1 UK Div), 102 Operational Sustainment within 3 UK Div, 104 Theatre Sustainment Brigade and, newly announced, 8 Engineer Brigade.
Unsurprisingly, the Regiments experiences many of the challenges those of us in civilian employment see when delivering core services to a portfolio of customers with differing needs and ways of working. Once again, we were given more low-level briefings into some of the equipment we were able to view and understand how the Regiment is deployed to meet the needs of the wider Army.
Following a lunch, kindly provided by the RSI, we had the opportunity to socialise with members of the Regiments and provide some information about the WCIT and our affiliation. This was well received and several requests for more information about us and our memberships have been received.
After lunch we had a short drive to visit the new £35m NATO Cyber Facility which is home to 280 (NATO) Signal Squadron. This state-of-the-art facility was opened in March by the Corps’ Colonel-in-Chief, The Princess Royal, and reflects the importance of the role the British play in NATO. The Squadron, while under the British Army, exists to command, train and deliver assigned forces at readiness, to enable Information and Communication Services to NATO HQs and deployed forces within the Land Environment.
The Squadron of just over 50 personnel is completely self-sufficient, something we saw quite clearly once inside the secure area within the Camp. We were able to visit the garages and workshop to see the NATO specification vehicles and examples of the communication equipment the Squadron utilises. Having handed in all electronic devices, watches and key fobs, we were then taken on a tour of the unclassified areas within the new facility.
In addition to the usual Royal Signals training, members of the Squadron undertake additional courses overseas to allow them to operate the NATO equipment and work as part of 3rd NATO Brigade. Commitments for the Squadron include The NATO Mission to Iran, Eastern European operations and the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, a team from the Squadron took part in Exercise Dynamic Mariner which involved driving equipment in convoy for around 2,500km in support of the Exercise in the Mediterranean. At the end of the Exercise, which was designed to test NATO’s ability to deploy, the team received the NATO CIS Group ‘Team of the Year’ award for their excellence.
Our thanks go to Col (Rtd) Joe Cooper (Director of the Royal Signals Institution) for his work turning an idea into an event, Capt Mann (OC Corps Outreach Team) for his briefing on the Royal Signals, Capt Wood (16SR) and Lt Salvessen (280 NATO Sqn) for their insights into the work of their units, and to Maj Ross (Acting CO 22SR) for supporting the visit from the first enquiry through to delivery. A special mention goes to Capt Laurence Kirk of 22SR who spent much of his ‘spare time’ over the last few months building the programme for the event, co-ordinating the delivery, briefing us on the work of 22 SR and being our most welcome host throughout our visit. If proof were needed of the value our affiliation brings, then it is the time willingly given to share insights into the work of the Corps with members of the Company.
Court Assistant Nick Claydon, Royal Signals Affiliation Relationship Manager
