Reserve Forces

Halfords Reservist celebrates Reserves Day from the Gulf

A Halfords employee and military Reservist is celebrating this year’s Reserves Day from the Gulf. Charlotte Kertrestel (29) is a member of the Royal Naval Reserve and will be spending Reserves Day deployed with the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) headquarters in Bahrain as part of a six month mobilisation. Charlotte, who joined Halfords as a Digital Product Owner in 2018, said: “I…

Army Reservist helps the COVID support force

An Armed Forces Liaison Manager is one of many Reservists across the UK who swapped their civilian role to work with the military during the Covid-19 pandemic. Darren Knight works full-time for recruitment firm Pertemps at their Birmingham office in his usual business capacity, assisting people from the military community to help find jobs in civilian roles.  He has also been an Army…

Army Reservists leap into action for parachute training

Joining the Reserve Forces is a rewarding experience.  As well as gaining military skills and learning specific trades, there is also plenty of opportunities for overseas travel and an exciting variety of adventure training and sport. This was the case for sixteen Army Reservists from 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment who travelled to the USA last October for Exercise Black Skyfall to complete…

605 Squadron on VE Day

VE Day, 8 May 1945, found 605 Squadron in the Netherlands. Wg Cdr Horne had taken command of the Squadron on 17 March 1945 when the previous OC, Wg Cdr Mitchell, had been posted as missing. The Squadron had moved from Coxyde (now Koksijde) in Belgium to Volkel airfield in the Netherlands on the 28 April. Volkel airfield had been built by the…

A great time to show your support by signing the Armed Forces Covenant

The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of many groups in society, a shift in our attitude towards care workers, delivery drivers and shop workers, and many others.  This also has brought home the role the Armed Forces plays in the modern world.  Although it’s not always seen or heavily reported on, the role of our soldiers, sailors and air personnel has always…

Armed forces provide support to public services in coronavirus outbreak

The Defence Secretary has announced a COVID Support Force to assist public services with the response to the coronavirus outbreak.  As of 23rd March, there are 250 personnel deployed to assist civil authorities with the response.  They form part of 20,000 armed forces personnel currently stood at readiness to take part. The armed forces have contributed dozens of specialist military planners to Local…

Army Reservist releases first single to help Combat Stress

A reservist Army officer, who is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, released her first single at the end of February. Lieutenant Colonel Thao Nguyen, of Birmingham-based 202 Field Hospital, has recorded a song, Trapeze, about mental resilience. The single was released across social media, including iTunes and Spotify, with proceeds going to Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity that helps military veterans deal with…

Almarose Hotels & Resorts sign Armed Forces Covenant

Hotel management group Almarose Hotels & Resorts has formally pledged its commitment to support those who have served or are currently serving within the Armed Forces. Backed by the government, the Armed Forces Covenant relies on the people, communities, and businesses of the UK to actively support it in order to make a difference. The official pledge recently signed, means Almarose promise to…

37th Signal Regiment hit the slopes

Exercise Dragon Sorbet is 37th Signal Regiment’s annual skiing expedition to Kirtchdorf, Austria.  This year thirty-one personnel participated in both alpine and ski touring, with the to aim to complete the Ski Foundation Level 1-3 courses depending on varying abilities. Upon arrival to Gasthoff Neuwirt in Kirtchdorf, the team wasted no time in descending into the village to collect skis and boots.  The…

One Army in Action: Reservists mobilise for operational tour

Army Reservists made history by mobilising for the British Army’s largest ever deployment of the Army Reserve in a single, formed unit under its own command. Approximately 240 Reservists from 7 RIFLES and 5 FUSILIERS have been mobilised for the British Army’s contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping mission on Cyprus.  Their first parade as a formed battlegroup saw them swap their regimental…