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Iraq
S
oldiers from Cambridge based 25 Engr Regt and 39 Engr Regt have been recognised for their successful operational
tours of Iraq.
Over 100 soldiers from 53 Fd Sqn (Air Sp) 25 Engr Regt and 48 Fd Sqn (Air Sp) 39 Engr Regt were presented with their Op Telic
Campaign Medals at Waterbeach Barracks, Waterbeach. The deployment of soldiers from 48 Fd Sqn (Air Support) saw them working
to provide better living conditions and force protection for their colleagues from 7th Armd Bde, also known as the Desert Rats.
The Squadron’s most important contribution to the UK’s efforts was the construction of a Joint Operations Centre for the 14
(Iraqi Army) Division, which was handed over with due ceremony to General Aziz, the Iraqi Div Comd at the end of August. A
programme of construction of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and improved accommodation for the UK Military Transition
Team (MiTT) Group also took place.
53 Fd Sqn’s (Air Sp) deployment saw them using their construction engineering skills to conduct remedial and winterisation
works and their infantry skills to guard key installations. With temperatures soaring to over 50
o
C, their main challenge was the
stifling heat. The construction of an 80-man US Police Transition Team camp in the Operations Centre in Basrah City was
described as the ‘jewel in the crown’ by the Squadron. An impressive feat, the squadron constructed the tented camp from
scratch with full plumbing, ablution facilities, protective barriers, electricity and drainage.
The Squadron also provided the Airfield Damage Repair Immediate Response Team which was at two hours notice to move.
Repairs ranged from craters to potholes to general wear and tear of the main runway operating surface. The response team men-
tored and trained the Iraqi civilian contractors who worked alongside them so that they were capable of delivering the capability
once the Squadron returned to the UK. Two soldiers from the Squadron, Cpl Donu and LCpl Leonard, also found time to raise
over $5000 to support the families of servicemen killed on ops. The pair walked two miles around the COB (Contingency
Operating Base) wearing 60Kg bomb suits. Maj Gen Colin Boag CBE who inspected the parade spoke with great pride when he
said: “Congratulations on a job well done. You have demonstrated how you can adapt quickly and efficiently and how effective
you are. You have made the Corps proud.”
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