The year 2000-2001 has, like previous years, passed quickly with life undoubtedly being lived at a high tempo. Over the course of one calendar year commencing in December 2000, the Battalion will have been deployed on 3 operations (Op BASILICA - Sierra Leone, Op PENINSULAR - Foot & Mouth in Cumbria as well as commencing a 2 year tour in Northern Ireland). Each of these has been unique and consequently the Battalion's orbat has had to be reconfigured 4 times during 2001 resulting in considerable turbulence for those required to move sub units, in some cases more than once. Training has also played a major part in our lives with two major Overseas Training Exercises (OTXs) (Oman and Jamaica) that have involved large numbers of soldiers as well as Northern Ireland training which was ongoing as these notes went to press. Commitments to support Field Army units preparing for operations that have been a part of our lives throughout the Battalion's time in Chester, have continued to increase this year but once again have been met in full. On the Regimental front considerable efforts have been made to bolster what could be termed the "Regimental Fabric" with the main effort being initially focussed on recruiting and retention in order to return the Battalion to full manning as fast as possible and to sustain that situation once achieved. The year has also seen a new Colonel of the Regiment and a new Commanding Officer. Despite our commitments considerable success has been achieved in both major and minor sports as well as completing Geddes Cup and a short but enjoyable Victor Ludorum sports competition. Articles covering all these subjects and more can be found later in these notes and it would be fair to say that 2000- 2001 could be summarised as operations, OTXs, turbulence, challenge and fun.

Readers may recall the last Editorial left the Battalion after it had completed Ex HIGHLAND STALLION at Garelochead. This exercise was significant in that it represented the first opportunity to exercise the whole Battalion for two years. The exercise had assumed a greater significance as a result of the Battalion being warned for operations in Sierra Leone (SL) as it now represented the last guaranteed opportunity for the whole Battalion to "shake out the cobwebs" prior to the move to the Sierra Leone Orbat and a short pre-deployment training package at Altcar and Otterburn.

At this stage Headquarters LAND Command had forecast, but not yet confirmed deployment for late Oct. More significantly however, was the fact that they were unwilling to release the necessary authority for in-theatre recce, direct liaison with forces already deployed, nor authorise the appropriate demand codes to allow equipment essential for training and deployment to be secured by the QM. These constraints made planning difficult and become increasingly significant as the weeks passed by.

The task that awaited us centred on the training of 1100 members of the Sierra Leone Army through the medium of a six-week battle course. In order to facilitate this HQ LAND had given quite specific direction on what must be produced. In summary they directed that the Battalion produce a Headquarters with supporting G1/G4 personnel, a Training Team of company size and a Security Company in order that those elements of the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) could undertake training in a secure environment. Significantly HQ LAND stated that the Training Company could only be composed of NCOs who had attended either Brecon or Support weapon qualifying courses. The significance of the latter piece of direction was that it lead to the whole Battalion having to be reconfigured in order to centralise and release all suitably qualified personnel. Furthermore, it resulted in the Rear Party, which contained the majority of the Battalion's private soldiers, being very light on commanders.

One week in camp post Ex HIGHLAND STALLION and we deployed to Altcar for Skill at Arms training. Whilst the coys conducted the various traditional shoots Battalion Headquarters planned how we were going to train for and deploy to Sierra Leone with no written authority to recce, nor demand both operational and training stores whilst simultaneously ensuring we were capable of deploying as United Kingdom Support Battalion a role which we were required to sustain until shortly before the target deployment date.

Like so many operations much of the key planning and information was gleaned through informal contact. A good source of common sense information and advice came in the form of briefings from 2 R Anglian, recently returned from a six week deployment to Sierra Leone and those elements of 1 R IRISH who had completed the first six weeks of a twelve week deployment. This allowed the final part of training, to be planned and structured to meet a number of likely tasks that would confront the Battalion once in Sierra Leone. Authority for recce was finally granted at this time, and the CO, OCs, Ops Officer and QM departed for Sierra Leone during the final training package that was then ongoing at Otterburn in Northumberland. Deployment to Sierra Leone occurred almost immediately post Otterburn and saw key elements of the Battalion deployed in Africa until mid December. You can discover the details of this deployment in the 3 articles covering Op BASILICA later in these notes.

The revised plan for 2001 that was developed during Op BASILICA saw the first half of the year centred around 3 OTXs (Oman, Jamaica and Italy) and the balance of the year focussed on preparation for and deployment to Northern Ireland as well as fulfilling commitments to support other Field Army units preparing for operations. Whilst this plan ultimately came to fruition, the year was not without its moments and plans and programmes had to be re-written several times as events unfolded, often in a manner far different from that originally envisaged!

January saw Northern Ireland Training commence in the form of selection for the Close Observation Platoon (COP). The Battalion is mandated to form a COP for its 2 year residential tour and the performance of the platoon once deployed in province reflects on the Battalion as a whole. Consequently the selection training and development of COP has been a high priority throughout the year. Initial selection was conducted in Otterburn in the snowbound depths of winter, using Stage 5 Battle Shooting as a vehicle to identify individuals who had the physical and mental ability together with the motivation to make them potential COP soldiers. Further selection, training and development has been ongoing throughout the year and at the time of writing COP are entering their final stage of training in preparation for an early deployment to Omagh.

By early March C Company had deployed to Oman for 6 weeks on Exercise ROCKY LANCE. Maj Wagstaff's article later in these notes covers the detail of this demanding exercise which involved 162 soldiers in both dry and live firing training together with adventurous training and some limited joint training with the Royal Omani Army. This was undoubtedly an excellent exercise that offered all those who attended realistic training in an environment that was testing and unforgiving. Whilst the exercise was demanding it was also fun and provided soldiers with the sort of experiences that they had hoped for on enlistment and which are also useful to assist us in the field of retention and recruitment.

Meanwhile back in Chester A Coy were now finalising preparations for Ex RED STRIPE a 4 week OTX to Jamaica that was due to deploy in late April. The balance of the Battalion was also indirectly involved in this in that we also had the responsibility to host a Jamaican coy in Chester as part of the reciprocal phase of A Coys exercise with the JAMAICAN Defence Forces (JDF). Consequently, much planning was ongoing to support a large exercise due to occur at Thetford training area during May-June that would involve 1 PWO (-) and the JDF Company.

March also saw the commencement of the Leadership Cadre, originally re-scheduled from November 2000 as a result of the Battalion's deployment to Sierra Leone. The cadre, which included a Logistic Leaders module, was scheduled to last for 6 weeks and was sponsored by B Company. Like the other rifle companies B Company were also looking forward to participating in an OTX, Ex PONTE VECCHIO in June-July due to take place in Italy. This exercise like A Company's in Jamaica would see an Italian coy visit in the Battalion in Chester within the same time window; or so we thought……

Just as all these plans were in motion the spectre of Foot and Mouth became a major factor across the UK and in Cumbria in particular during early March. Its occurrence had an immediate and significant impact on our plans and resulted in substantial restrictions to the level of training leading to the suspension of the Leadership Cadre and the cancellation of both the Jamaican and Italian contingents visit to Chester. Luckily A Company's exercise to Jamaica was unaffected by the crisis and the company deployed for 4 weeks jungle training as planned on the 29 April; full details can be found in Major Lockwood's article later in these notes.

The Foot and Mouth crisis in the North West had reached critical levels by mid Mar and had led to military involvement in the management of the crisis. This resulted in the deployment of our own Brigade Headquarters to assist the MAFF Regional Headquarters located in Carlisle, in the control of Foot and Mouth disease in Cumbria. In addition to Brigade Headquarters 1 PWO were tasked to provide a number of SNCO liaison officers to assist MAFF personnel and the farming community in the cull of infected animals across Cumbria. This was a demanding job conducted in difficult and distressing circumstances in which our SNCOs conducted themselves well, earning themselves and the Battalion much credit. Further details of this commitment can be found in WO2 Nockles's article later in these notes.

Immediately prior to Easter Leave the Battalion received a Warning Order to assume overall responsibilty for Op PENINSULAR from the Brigade Headquarters on completion of the Battalion's Easter Leave in late April. Having seen so much of our leave compromised in 2000 the Brigade Commander was adamant that this time leave was to be taken in whole. Consequently, pre-leave planning time was limited and a small team visited Carlisle on 5 April. An outline plan was worked up based on this visit and the experience gained by 1 PWO personnel deployed to date. This was cleared by the CO on 6 April and briefed at an O Group that afternoon. The Battalion went on leave as planned on 6 April and deployed to Carlisle on return on the 23rd April. 1 PWO assumed responsibility for Op PENINSULAR from 27 April until relieved by 5 Regt RA on 15 May. As can be seen from Maj MacNicholas's article later in these notes, Op PENISULAR was an unusual and rewarding experience although its effects were so devastating to the rural community that it is hoped that it will never again be seen in the UK in the future. The completion of the Battalion's commitment to Op PENINSULAR also marked the end of Lieutenant Colonel Hill's tenure as Commanding Officer and Lieutenant Colonel Padgett assumed command of the Battalion on 15 May 2001.

The months of June-July offered a period of relative stability. Whilst commitments to support other Field Army units continued, often at short notice, there was nevertheless still time to allow us to undertake a number of Regimental events and enjoy life prior to Summer Leave in late July. The first of these was Imphal Day which saw the farewell visit of The Colonel of The Regiment, Major General EHA Beckett after 5 years as Colonel of The Regiment. The general visited for two days, the first allowing him to renew acquaintances with all ranks and be updated on a variety of recent events. Imphal Day itself which fell on the second day of the visit, was celebrated in style with The Colonel of The Regiment starting an early Battalion Run and then taking the salute at a full Battalion parade later that morning prior to being towed out of The Dale by the Officers with the route lined by the complete Battalion. The relaxing of Foot and Mouth restrictions in June also allowed us to complete the final two weeks of the Leadership Cadre, postponed by Foot and Moth restrictions and consequently promote 28 private soldiers and 13 LCpls to positions of command in preparation for Northern Ireland training and deployment.

July saw the Battalion once again change its orbat in preparation for the forthcoming Northern Ireland training and deployment. The Battalion is now is configured to a three rifle coy orbat consisting of A Company, B Company and Support Company. C Company has been placed into suspended animation and will be reformed as soon as manning permits. In order that we can conduct the full range of operations required in Omagh the Battalion will receive a fourth company once we are deployed; initially this will be provided by a company from The Parachute Regiment. In addition to the rifle companies and normal Battalion administrative departments found within Headquarters Company the Battalion also has a large Close Observation Platoon and a sizeable Intelligence Platoon both of which are grouped within Headquarters Company.

The balance of July also allowed us to complete two further team events in short order; a three-day Victor Ludorum sports competition and a Board of Officers in preparation for the Arms Plot move. The former was, not surprisingly, more popular than the latter and offered all members of the Battalion the opportunity to play a large amount of sport over a three day period. The competition was followed by a Battalion BBQ and an Officers versus Warrant Officers and Sergeants' Mess cricket match that was won by the latter mess. Despite the turbulence of the last 6 months the Battalion has achieved much on the sporting front having won the Army Rugby Sevens and topped the 2nd Division Leagues for Cricket, Hockey, and Football. We have also had considerable success in Clay target shooting winning the 5 Div competition, not withstanding the fact that we are actually in 2 Div and have qualified for the Army Championships as a result. Sport undoubtedly has a key part to play in our lives for a whole variety of reasons and we are keen the momentum we have now generated continues on arrival in Northern Ireland where there are good opportunities to play the vast majority of sports. The first fixture for Victor Ludorum 2001-2002 is now scheduled and will take the form of Novice Boxing to be held in Omagh in late Jan 2002.

At the time of writing Northern Ireland training, incorporating the Geddes Cup, is about to commence in earnest and the period of September - early November will have been spent in preparation either in barracks or at various Northern Ireland training centres. Deployment commences in November and by the time these notes are published we will have already commenced our 2 year tour as the Omagh Resident Battalion. Whilst the future of peace process is currently uncertain the Battalion will have trained for a worst case scenario and we will be able to give readers a good insight into our first year in Northern Ireland in the next edition of these notes. Whilst the conduct of operations will clearly be our main effort in Province, Regimental matters will be a very close second. Recruiting and retention will remain at the top of the agenda in order that we can achieve and sustain remain full manning as soon as possible. Internally the operational cycle in Omagh should permit us to continue time honoured Regimental events such as the Geddes Cup and Victor Ludorum which will go along way to ensuring we have an enjoyable, demanding and fulfilling first year as the Omagh Resident Battalion.