phoenix times - h16 - first edition[1]

8/2/2019 Phoenix Times - H16 - First Edition[1]

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PPHHOOEENNIIXX TTIIMMEESSSATURDAY 24 MARCH 2012

FIRST EDITION PRICE: FR

LETTER FROM THE ED

Dear readers,

Welcome to theirst edition of The

Phoenix Times.It is hoped that the

Phoenix Times (PT) will keep you allup dated of what is happening withinhe Sqn whilst deployed onOperation HERRICK 16. Eachssue will be jam packed full of

nteresting articles and pictures fromhe Troops but also, I need helprom home to make the PT what its. So if any family members orclose friends at home would like tosend articles, shout outs, Sqngossip, or have any problems thatour resident Agony Aunt Tommo (Inour new column Tell Tommo ) canhelp with, then send in your swagvia snail mail or e-bluie to theollowing address:

The Editor,Phoenix Times8 AESEngr Fd Sqn 2TFH Engr GpOp HERRICK 16BFPO 792

FREE, 8 ARMD ENGR SQN TOP TRUMP CARDS, 97 TO COLLECT, SEE THE BACK PAGES FOR DETAILS

Foreword by

Major Jamie Stuart - Officer Commanding 8 AES

8 Armoured Engineer Squadron (AES) are now well and truly in the seatEngr Field Squadron 2. The majority of the Sqn have nowbeen out here for approaching 3 weeks andbusy weeks they have been. After a week ofextremely comprehensive training and briefsthe Sqn pushed out to their various locationsin Bastion, Nahr e Saraj (South) andLashkar Gah. Following an excellent handoverfrom 29 Armoured Engineer Squadron who arenow going back to Germany for a well deservedrest, the Sqn has now started on a large numberof tasks from upgrading ablutions to majorroute upgrades. It is extremely encouraging tosee all of the hard work undertaken over the past8 months being put to use keeping the Troops safeand the tasks going ahead.

Can you beat the clock in this arduous challenge either as a team

or as an individual? Every Sunday at 1600hrs in the CV Suite.

Team Event Format Individual Event Format

2 Mile Row 15 mins 20 mins

10 Mile Bike 30 mins 45 mins

2 Mile Run 15 mins 25 mins


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THE TRIP OUT TO AFGHANISTAN AND THE JOYS OF RSOI

rtcle and pictures by Spr Stacey Skitt, 1 Troop.

On the 6th of March 2012 the guys and girls of 8 Armoured Engineerquadron (AES) left their home town of Tidworth to start the long journeyo Afghanistan, bound to take over from 29 Armoured Engineer SquadronAES) for Operation HERRICK16. Upon checking in a South Cerney andshort coach trip to Brize Norton this was followed by a 3am civilian flight

o Minhad, where we were transferred to a C17 for the rest of the journey

o camp Bastion, eventually arriving at 2130 local time on the 7th

of March.The weather we were met with was strangely British, cold and windy.

fter a night spent in transitccommodation, we moved to,

what would become 8 Squadronsew home for the next 6 months Bastion 1 to begin a 6 dayeception, Staging and Onward

ntegration (RSOI) trainingackage. This package being

esigned to bring us up to speedwith the latest TTPs and toemind and revise on existingnowledge learnt during ourre tour build up training.

ay 1 of RSOI saw us enduring7 hours of presentations covering

range of topics from Op securityo sexual health and an outline ofhe programme for the next week.

ay 2 involved an early morning walk to the range in full PPE for a groupnd zero shoot and round-robin with stands covering MSST, detaineeandling and operational law.

ay 3 was a revision session on Vallon and an introduction to newetection kit being launched in theatre. The day included practical sessions,chance to get hands on with the equipment by day and by night.

ay 4 covered evidence gathering with a practical session on theHIIDE camera,ground sign awareness and roll over drills and exitaining (RODET), followed by an opportunity to visit the AmericanX, a popular choice for British troops.

ay 5 was a comprehensive re-revision of days 1 to 4.

ay 6 concluded our RSOI package by practical application of all skillsnd drills revised in the past few days on a mini exercise that involved

he use of an inside the wire Afghan village and foot patrols to provideecurity for a shura.

60 Seconds with.......Spr Smudge Smith

2 Troop

What is your best PFT

Time? 9:04

What was the last music

you downloaded/brought? Long Tour

Sally

What is your greatest sporting

achievement: 2nd

in Gun Run

What is the best thing about your job

Its Physical

What is the worst thing about your

job? Seeing people slacking

What would your ideal civvie job be?

Personal body guard

What is your favourite film: Bambi

What is your favourite TV Programme

2 men

What is your favourite food? Full

English (even though Im welsh)

What is your favourite drink? Crabbie

on Ice

Whatis your favourite place to visit?

Wind Street in Swansea

What is your favourite cheese? Brie

What is your favourite wine? Rose

What is your best military

achievement? Completing Op H12

What are your plans for your Op

Bonus? Lads holiday to Australia via

Thailand

What would be your elevator music if

you were to appear on Take me Out

Sex Bomb Tom Jones

Capt Ant Harmes enjoying the C17Fli ht from Minhad to JOB Bastion


3/14

ay 6 concluded our RSOI

ackage by practical application

f all skills and drills revised in the

ast few days on a mini exercise

hat involved the use of an inside

he wire Afghan village and foot

atrols to provide security for a

hura. The following 2 days

were used to cover engineerpecific areas, including HLSuilds, elevated sangars andulverts, all of these sessions

were delivered by our Herrick5 equivalents with useful tipsnd up to date advice.

March 17th saw 8 Sqn splitting down into troops and departing via helicoptero different AOs to start the hand over / take over process with 29 AES.

Troop flew via Merlin to PB Attal, 2 troop flew via Chinook to PB 2, and 3 troopew out to PB Naidullah to begin tasks as soon as the next day.

With a hot and busy 6 months aheadof us 8 AES have just begun theiradventure into engineering in a warzone, and are ready for whatever itmay throw at us.

The SSM, 2Tp Comd and OC on day

5 RSOI.

1Tp - SSgt (Egg) Benn, Cpl Brown

and Spr Allen taking over at Pb

Naidullah

60 Seconds with......Pte Gaz Walters

SHQ


Time? 9:11


you downloaded/brought? Love to

Club


achievement: Representing Wales in

clay pigeon shooting

What is the best thing about your job

Warm Office


job? Blokes pestering me

What would your ideal civvie job be

Traffic Police

What is your favourite film: Friends

with benefits

What is your favourite TV Programm

The Inbetweeners

What is your favourite food? MaccyDs

What is your favourite drink? Fosters


Ferrari Park

What is your favourite cheese?

Cheddar

What is your favourite wine? Rose


achievement? 7,826 on Solitaire!


Bonus? To buy lots of baby stuff

What would be your elevator music i

you were to appear on Take me Out

Sexy and you know it - LMFAO


4/14

s it the fact that SSgt Dylan Tait is trying to master the Peter Crouch robot dance or that the OC is so gu

hat he is not allowed to take a seat on the Rifles 19+ bench?

lease send your captions to:

aption competition

he Editor,hoenix TimesAESngr Fd Sqn 2FH Engr Gp

Op HERRICK 16FPO 792

All captions received will be published, subject to content!


5/14

8 AES TOP TRUMP CARDS 1 TROOPare finally here, free with every issue, 97 to collect, dont miss out.

ust simply cut out, fold, glue and in no time you will have the full pack. Play with your friends and family omply lock away and cherish so one day you can play with your grand kids.

8 AES TOP TRUMPS

Spr Stan Stanley; 1 Tp; Armd 2:Loves

the Sqn so much that he had the

Phoenix tattooed on his behind

Special Skill: Fag rolling whilst driving 2

Intelli ence Level: 37.4

Gun abilit : 2

Years served: 3

Fold

Fold


6/14



8 AES TOP TRUMPS

Capt Harmesy Harmes: 2 Tp Commander:

Harrmesy likes to think of himself as the ultimate

race of perfection, priding himself with this set of

well oiled guns! He does not like G4 though!

Special Skill: A wiz on a Diablo 6

Intelligence Level: 65

Gun abilit : 9.2

Years served: 4

Fold

Fold


7/14



8 AES TOP TRUMPS

LCpl MitchMitchell, 2 Tp, Likes jumping out of

perfectly serviceable aeroplanes but doesnt like

working with HESCO as it bites!

Special Skill: HESCO 5

Intelligence Level: 10.6

Gun abilit : 6

Years Served: 4.5

Fold

Fold


8/14



8 AES TOP TRUMPS

Spr Liam Rising: 2 Tp; Hom Squad 2IC: Liams

slowing climbing up the Hom ladder and prides

himself on being selected for the 2IC. He aspires

to be the Ultimate Hom

Special Skill: Absolute Hom 9


Gun abilit : 5

Years served: 5.5

Fold

Fold


9/14



8 AES TOP TRUMPS

LCpl Dazza Gargate; 2 Tp; Hom Squad IC; LCpl

Dazza Gargate loves fine wine and cheese,being

the Sqn Orderly Corporal. He stated that working

for the SSM has been the highlight of his career!

Special Skill: Squatting 3


Gun abilit : 3

Years served: 5

Fold

Fold


10/14



8 AES TOP TRUMPS

LCpl Q Qalikaono, 3 Tp, POM 1. Likes Kite

surfing, gangster rap and in his spare time he

likes to balance burning food with moving mud.

Special Skill: 2


Gun abilit : 4

Years served: 8

Fold

Fold


11/14

8 AES TOP TRUMP CARDS - ECHare finally here, free with every issue, 97 to collect, dont miss out.


8 AES TOP TRUMPS

LCpl Leigh Parker; C3S Tp; C3S 1: Likes to

look through his miscellaneous files on his laptop

and also holds the shadow rank of General

Special Skill: Moaning 10


Gun abilit : 1.4

Years served: 11

Fold

Fold


12/14

8 AES TOP TRUMP CARDS - SHQare finally here, free with every issue, 97 to collect, dont miss out.


8 AES TOP TRUMPS

SSgt Steve Engleby; C3S Tp; C3S 1: Likes to

get massive on tour; doesnt like CV but is

currently employed as the WOs & Sgts mess

linebacker.

Special Skill: Terry Taiting 10


Gun abilit : 7

Years served: 24.5

Fold

Fold


13/14

Cannibalism Hits Attal!

Picture the scene: Week 2 into a 6 month tour of Afghanistan all

seemed quiet in PB Attal. Everyone carried out their morning routine

as usual; up , washed , shaved and cruising on down to the DFAC

(Dining Facility) for a hearty breakfast before a hard days work on site.Unbeknown to on lookers SSgt Alex The Egg Benn was caught out in

a blatant act ofviolence eating one of his comrades. The Egg later

commented If I had the time I would do the whole dam egg box.

Concerns and questions have now been raised about this incident and

it is to be believed that the alert state in Helmand Province will soon

rise to Amber in preparation for the Easter festive season.

60 Seconds with........SSgt Bricktop Williamson

2 Troop


Time? 9:15


you downloaded/brought? Coldplay


achievement: I once played for Luton

Town School Boys.

What is the best thing about your job?

Being a Troop Staff Sergeant and

looking after the boys.

What is the worst thing about yourjob? Being away from family.


Apache Pilot.

What is your favourite film: Snatch.

What is your favourite TV Programme?

Aircrash Investigation.

What is your favourite food? ChickenJalfrezzi.

What is your favourite drink? Guiness.


The Baleric Islands.

What is your favourite cheese?

Wednesdale with cranberry dip.

What is your favourite wine? Rioja.


achievement? Selection for Warrant

Officer Class 2.


Bonus? Holiday with family.


you were to appear on Take me Out?

Guns & Roses November Rain.


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RACE THE BADGE

WO2 (SSM) Steve Biddulph planned to cycle 3,552.5 miles

(which is the distance from his tent in Camp Bastion to the

doors of SHQ on Swinton Barracks) during the tour of

Afghanistan on a set of rollers and his training bike. The

members of SHQ under the OC Major Jamie Stuartdecided to throw down the gauntlet and gathered a team of

7 to try and race the badge home by either running, rowing

or by use of the cross trainer. In a gallant effort the

members will need to produce an average of 2.85 miles a

day for 180 days starting on Monday 19 March 2012. No

problems thought the SSM (Badge) as training for the

National 12 Hour Championship he would easily beat the

magnificent 7. However, he forgot to include the RAF into

this challenge! Yes everyones favorite Air Force have still

yet to fly the SSMs bike out so he cantstart training.Needless to say that as it stands today the SSM is 120

miles behind on his schedule and the SHQ 7 have a total

mileage of 124 miles with still Sunday to go! Threaders

would be the word to use but fingers crossed and the bike

may be in theatre on Wednesday morning and then let the

challenge commence. If you would like to keep track of who

is banging out the miles and winning the race to the UK then

fear not as fortnightly updates will be published in the PT.

If you would like to donate some money to compliment the

SSMs effort then you can do so at the links at the end ofthis article. All proceeds will go to the Regimental charity

for the Naomi House Hospice and A Smile for a Child.

Please donate whatever amount you can spare.

Naomi House can be at justgiving.com/helmandonabike or

A smile for a child can be found at

justgiving.com/steviebiddulph

60 Seconds with........LCpl Cus Colaco

3 Troop


Time? 8:13

What was the last musicyou downloaded/brought? Bullet for

my valentine


achievement: 32nd in RE Marathon

What is the best thing about your job?

Getting paid to do Phys


job? Being away from family


Pimp

What is your favourite film: Pulp Ficton

What is your favourite TV Programme?

The Simpson

What is your favourite food? Medium

Rib-eye Steak on a BBQ

What is your favourite drink? Rattler


Cornwall

What is your favourite cheese? Whats

Cheese?

What is your favourite wine? Red Wine

What is your best militaryachievement? Getting promoted to

LCpl


Bonus? Mortgage


you were to appear on Take me Out?

Sexy and you know it - LMFAO

phoenix times - h16 - first edition[1]

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