Royal Anglian soldiers honoured for Mali operation

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Soldiers on parade. Copyright: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2022 ROYAL ANGLIAN SOLDIERS HONOURED FOR WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS Soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment who have spent the last 12 months deployed around the world, have been presented with their Operational Service Medals. In the past year, the Battalion, known as The Poachers, has completed two six-month UN peacekeeping tours to Mali, West Africa as part of Operation (Op) NEWCOMBE.Ê The first deployment was in December 2020 and included over 70 soldiers from B (Leicestershire) Company deploy as part of the UK Task Force that was led by the Light Dragoons cavalry regiment. The second deployment in May 2021 saw The Poachers lead the UK Task Force with soldiers from C Squadron, 1st The QueenÕs Dragoon Guards (QDG) in support. Soldiers from QDG were also on parade to receive their medals as well as soldiers who provided the specialist support such as EOD operators and medics. The UK Task Force provided a reconnaissance capability with the soldiers conducting patrols to gather intelligence and engage with the local population, helping the UN better understand how to help. A further 100 soldiers deployed to Poland on Op CABRIT in March 2021 and 40 soldiers deployed on Op TORAL in Afghanistan in late 2020. Op CABRIT is the codename for the UKÕs deployment and contribution to NATOÕs Enhanced Forward Presence. Some 150 soldiers from D (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire) Company deployed to Poland to provide the British contingent within the US-led battlegroup. The BattlegroupÕs mission was to provide a highly mobile deterrent presence in the area. The medals were presented by Commander Field Army, Lieutenant General Wooddisse CBE, MC, Commander Field Army, the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Darah Furness and the High Sheriff of Rutland, David Wood. Army, Lieutenant General Wooddisse, CBE, MC, Commander Field Army said: ÒI am hugely proud of the way you have engaged with the United Nations, the way you have worked with the various multi-national elements that were out in the country and the way you have supported and helped them where required. He continued: ÒYou have been a beacon of professional prowess. ItÕs no exaggeration to say Mali is a dangerous place and the most challenging and lethal UN operation that exists in the world today. It is testament to your professionalism that you have come back in one piece. As the Commander of the Field Army, the Colonel of the Royal Anglian Regiment and a former Commanding Officer of the Battalion I have never been prouder to be all three.Ó ÊÊ ENDS Content Creator: D. Garry Fox/ MOD Crown
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Soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment who have spent the last six months deployed in Mali have been presented with their Operational Service Medals.

In the past year, the Battalion, known as The Poachers, has completed two successive six-month UN peacekeeping tours to Mali, West Africa, as part of Operation (Op) NEWCOMBE.

The first deployment was in December 2020 and included over 70 soldiers from B (Leicestershire) Company, who deployed as part of the Long Range Reconnaissance Group (LRRG) that was led by the Light Dragoons.

The second deployment in May 2021 saw The Poachers lead the UK Task Group, which A (Lincolnshire) Company deployed as part of, with soldiers from C Squadron, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG) in support. Soldiers from the QDG were also on parade to receive their medals as well as soldiers who provided the specialist capabilities to the Task Group such as engineers and medics.

The Royal Anglian Regiment who have spent the last 12 months deployed around the world, have been presented with their Operational Service Medals. D. Garry Fox – UK MOD © Crown copyright 2022

The LRRG provided a reconnaissance capability with the soldiers conducting patrols to gather intelligence and engage with the local population, helping the UN better understand how to help.

The medals were presented by Commander Field Army, Lieutenant General Wooddisse, the Commander 7 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier Guy Foden, the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness and the High Sheriff of Rutland, David Wood.

Lieutenant General Wooddisse, said:

“I am hugely proud of the way you have engaged with the United Nations, the way you have worked with the various multi-national elements that were out in the country and the way you have supported and helped them where required.”

He continued:

“You have been a beacon of professional prowess. It’s no exaggeration to say Mali is a dangerous place and the most challenging and lethal UN operation that exists in the world today.  It is testament to your professionalism that you have come back in one piece. As the Commander of the Field Army, the Colonel of the Royal Anglian Regiment and a former Commanding Officer of the Battalion, I have never been prouder to be all three.”

British Soldiers leaving the parade. Content Creator: D. Garry Fox / UK MOD © Crown copyright 2022

Source: British Army

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