MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands are fantastic for training, says RIC commander

The new Falkland Islands Roulement Infantry Company (RIC) rotated in over the New Year Period. They are from 1st Battalion (Cheshire), The Mercian Regiment.

The Mercian Regiment was formed on 1st September 2007 at Tamworth Castle in front of The Colonel in Chief, HRH The Earl of Chester, Prince of Wales when The Cheshires were merged with the Worcester and Sherwood Foresters and the Staffords, who now form 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Mercian Regiment. 4 Mercian is the Regiment's Territorial Reserve Battalion. Since the amalgamation, both the 1st and 2nd Battalions have returned from successful operations in Iraq and Afghanistan respectively. 4 Mercian supported both operations, whist 3 Mercian (Staffords) have recently completed a move from Tidworth to Hohne in Germany. The 1st Battalion (Cheshire) will be providing the RIC for the next 4 months. They were initially formed at Chester in 1689 and were known as the 22nd of Foot. On 17th of February each year, the Battalion wears oak leaves in its cap badge to commemorate saving the life of King George II at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743. The Battalion also celebrates the Battle of Meeanee in 1843 where, as the only British infantry, they stood alongside 6000 Indian Army soldiers and defeated over 30 000 Balluchi warriors. The current Company Group is 'A' Coy who have deployed with a wide range of capabilities including Mortars and the JAVELIN Anti-tank missile which has proved invaluable to units in Afghanistan. They will also have their battle group engineering assets with them for part of their deployment. RIC Operations Officer, Captain Ben Smyth said: 'A' Company was last in the Falklands in 2001 and many of our soldiers have extremely fond memories of the tasks and patrols. They particularly remember being made very welcome by the Islanders. We are all looking forward to getting on with our job here, and we will live up to our motto, which is "STAND FIRM, STRIKE HARD!" Officer Commanding A Coy, Major Rob Prentice, said: "The opportunity to come to the Falklands is a fantastic one, not only to prove ourselves on another operation, but also because of the training possibilities". "The men are all looking forward to undertaking our patrolling activities and having the opportunity to meet some of the Islanders whom we have heard are very friendly and welcoming. The presence of RFA Largs Bay is a real bonus for us which along with the air assets, will enable first class joint service training". This week Lance Corporal Wesley Roberts from Ellesmere Port has been leading 2 Section, 1 Platoon, in its Quick Reaction Force duties. He said 'We have just come back from Iraq and are all looking forward to going out on patrol here next week. It will be a very different sort of role. It will be great to get out to meet some of the locals and hopefully help them out and give them a hand, but also to see some of the wildlife and the area in general.' LCpl Wesley is serving in the Falklands with an old school friend, Private Steven Ellerton who is also from Ellesmere Port.