On the 19th October 2017, 10 reservists and 1 regular soldier boarded a flight to Malta in order to begin Exercise Tiger Rifles Azure; the annual 6 RIFLES scuba diving expedition. The aims of the exercise were to qualify divers ranging from Ocean Diver to Dive Leader, develop the skills and experience of divers, and […]
Tiger Rifles Azure 2017 Read More »
Personnel were from across the RNRM service, including: CTCRM, 30 Cdo RM, HM Surface Ships, HM Submarines and the Fleet Air Arm. From 2 – 17 July 16 Commando Training Centre Royal Marines led Adventurous Training (AT) in three phases on the mainland and cayes of Belize. The aim of phase 1 and 3 was
Belizean Adventure Read More »
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever” – Jacques Yves Cousteau 27 soldiers from 71 Royal Engineer Regiment have completed a two week multi activity expedition to Belize. Meeting in Heathrow on Easter Monday 2017 after travelling from Northern Ireland and Scotland, 12 divers and 15 canoers
Finn Sappersoaker 2017 – 71 Engr Regt Read More »
On the 4th June 2016 11 divers set off for the small Island of Gozo. The expedition was made up of various ranks from Private to Captain, all of whom were looking forward to progressing their diver training, refresh their skills or just get back in the water. My participation on the expedition came about
Ex Dragon Gozo Eagle – various British Army units Read More »
After months in the planning, the fortunate few to pass the dive medical gathered to depart for Gibraltar on Ex Yeoman Nautilus 5-14 Jun 16. Capt C Tate 6 Regt AAC Having recently qualified as an Open water recreational diver, I thought nothing could be easier than getting a few guys away on a military
Ex Yeoman Nautilus – 6 Army Air Corps Read More »
Following the 2016 Easter period, 106 Regiment Royal Artillery travelled to sunny Malta to commence Exercise Cockney Abyss, a SCUBA diving expedition aimed at developing competency and confidence in the sub aqua discipline. Nine troops enjoyed a challenging and rewarding endeavour in which they were able to develop their diving skills and achieve gradual depth
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For most of us Exercise Northern Plunge started back in August 2016 when the fourteen intrepid explorers of 37 Signal Regiment were despatched to Army Medical Centres to undergo fitness to dive medicals. Certified fit (and for the most part human) we were all keen for November to come while Sgt Chris Woolerton continued in
Ex Northern Plunge – 37 Sig Regt, 1 JSSU + 208 Field Hospital Read More »
Day 1 saw a total of 8 members of Cambridge University Air Squadron (CUAS), travel to Malta for Exercise Maltese Mission after meeting at Cambridge Headquarters at an early time of 03:30 before heading to Luton Airport for the flight to Malta. After about an hour’s delay due to fog we landed in Malta around
Ex Maltese Mission – Cambridge University Air Squadron Read More »
In October 2016 The Queen’s Own Yeomanry and a selection from other Reservist units, deployed on Exercise Northern Blue Juice to Fuerteventura. The aim of the expedition was to conduct diver training and to qualify all participants in either the BSAC Ocean Diver or Sports Diver. We were also extremely fortunate to participate in a
Ex Northern Blue Juice – The Queen’s Own Yeomanry Read More »
I’d never dived the Maldives before so I thought it might be wise to find out what was needed. I wasn’t entirely sure what I expected the manager of the dive boat to say, perhaps he would advise about the thickness of wetsuit or what factor sunscreen we would need but when he said “a
Ex Neptune Serpent – 2nd Medical Brigade Read More »
Ex Red Wyvern was an overseas Exped to the Red Sea in Egypt, operating on a dive liveaboard vessel that not only acted as a diving platform, but provided us all our accommodation and real life support needs. The Exped was mainly comprised of Reserve and Regular Soldiers from 165 and 17 Port and Maritime
Ex Red Wyvern – 165 & 17 Port and Maritime Regiments Read More »
In August 2015, 9 members of Birmingham University Royal Naval Unit (BURNU) conducted a major Adventurous Training Expedition to Ascension Island (ASI). Exercise BURNU Dive ASI as it was known had all the ingredients of a classic AT exped from the start, with the experienced diving supervisory team of a Royal Marine Colour Sergeant and
Ex BURNU Dive ASI – Birmingham URNU Read More »
At the beginning of July a team from the Royal Grammar School, Guildford CCF set out on an expedition to the Caribbean Island of Montserrat. Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory that hit the headline news in 1995 due to the reawakening of its volcano leading to a mass-evacuation of the islanders and a subsequent
Ex RGS Island Venturer – Royal Grammar School Guildford CCF Read More »
Ex Dragon Diver was a 21 day diving expedition to the Florida Keys, USA organized by 157 (Welsh) Regiment RLC. After some last minute changes, the team included a wide mixture of units: a large contingent from Wales UOTC and even an RAF OCdt. The group also included a mix of experience levels; 10 of
Ex Dragon Diver – 157 (Welsh) Regiment RLC Read More »
The seven day diving expedition was based in Marsa Nakari, Egypt. We were a group of ten personnel which included regular, reserve and civilian SADS from Harrogate. The expedition ranged in ability from novice diver undertaking the BSAC Ocean Diver qualification to Open Water Instructor trainers. The main objective of this exercise was to qualify
Ex Dragon Jerboa Plunge – HQ 7 Inf Bde and 3 PWRR Read More »
After a relatively comfortable, sleepless eight-hour flight from RAF Brize Norton, the plane finally touched down on the Ascension Island and we emerged from the cabin into the bright and humid South Atlantic air. Our 12-strong party, comprising Army, Air Force and (retd) Navy personnel had been brought together to conduct overseas Adventurous Training (AT)
Ex Ascension Serpent – 208 Field Hospital Read More »
“Oh, I could never do that…I can’t even bear to put my face underwater.” Curious to know who had commented on Justin Maker’s near perfect forward roll into the blue waters of the Mediterranean, I turned round to see a middle-aged British tourist sitting with two of her friends on the sun-baked concrete quayside beside
Ex Submerged Battlefield (Dragon) – Army Training Unit (West Midlands) Read More »
After a brisk walk to the boarding gate, 16 members of Bristol University Officer Training Corps and 4 external instructors were en route to Sharm El Sheikh, with complimentary extra legroom to boot. Upon arrival in Egypt we were greeted with warmth from both the local climate and the lively tourist guide who would be
Exercise Cabot Coral – Bristol University Officer Training Corps Read More »
After a slight false start with Off Cdt Moss having arrived a day early, kit prep took place at RAF Wittering. Expedition members were issued regulators, BCDs, masks, wetsuits, dive knives, fins, dive computers and grot bags. We met our four instructors Kev Jones, Mark ‘Misty’ Istance, Jim Metcalf and Sam Goodwin at RAF Brize
Exercise Ascension Endeavour – Cambridge University Air Squadron Read More »
Exercise Neptune Serpent 2015 was an adventure training diving expedition to the Egyptian Red Sea in March 2015. It was organised by HQ 2nd Medical Brigade and included Reservists and a few Regulars from across the UK. It was based on a live-aboard vessel, the MY Nimar based out of Hurghada and a total of
Exercise Neptune Serpent 2015 – 2 Medical Brigade Read More »
Over 5th – 12th September 2014, a team 9 of divers, consisting of 7 members of Army Training Unit (North East), a member of 170 Royal Engineers and our Sub-Aqua Diving Supervisor, a Royal Signals WO who is currently working at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Larkhill, undertook an adventure training expedition in Lanzarote. The aim originally
Northern Blue Merlin – Army Training Unit (North East) Read More »
On the 18th August 2014, members of Cambridge University Officer Training Corps set off to Belize for a scuba-diving expedition with the aim of developing diving skills in a new, unique and often challenging environment. Expedition members were also given the opportunity to complete PADI courses and qualifications, instructed by Capt Lee Piper and Mr
Ex Dragon Deep Blue – Cambridge UOTC Read More »
An Account by Expedition Member Pte L H Johnson Diving at the Ascension Island really is a unique experience, due to the volcanic ground and untouched diving sites, wrecks and marine life; truly it is a great place to carry out Adventure Training. The expedition team was made up of 11 members including the SADS
Ex Yorkshire Stallion 2014 – 4 Yorks Read More »
Exercise Polypus Venturer 2 was a sub aqua expedition to Gozo, Malta from the 5th to the 12th July 2014 and was formed from 9 Cadets and 3 Adults of Northumbria Army Cadet Force. Of these 8 of the cadets were new to diving. The primary aim of the expedition was to qualify the non-divers
Exercise Polypus Venturer 2 – Northumbria Army Cadet Force Read More »
Members of East Midlands Universities Air Squadron (EMUAS), supported by members of the RAFC Cranwell Sub-Aqua Club (CSAC), deployed to Hurghada, Egypt, to conduct a diving expedition aboard a dedicated dive vessel during the period 27 Jun – 5 Jul 14. The aim of this expedition was for all EMUAS students to gain a recognised
Ex Clearwater Down 2014 – East Midlands Universities Air Squadron Read More »
Exercise Northern Tartan Diver was a ten day sub-aqua diving expedition to Cyprus from 22nd April 2014 to 1st May 2014. Personnel included eight Officer Cadets and one Group A Officer from the City of Edinburgh University Officer Training Corps, along with one civilian, one regular Cpl and one Captain from outside units. The total
Exercise Northern Tartan Dive – City of Edinburgh UOTC Read More »
Exercise Neptune Serpent was a 2nd Medical Brigade diving expedition to the Maldives over the period 29 Mar – 6 Apr 14. It was undertaken by personnel drawn from across 2nd Medical Brigade’s Reserve hospitals with a few outside instructors. It was funded from a mixture of Public Funds and Non-Public funds for which the
Exercise Neptune Serpent 2014 – 2nd Medical Brigade Read More »
Exercise Finn Sappersoaker 14 was a sub aqua diving expedition to Gibraltar from 30th April – 11th May taken up by members of 591 Independent Field Squadron Royal Engineers from Northern Ireland. The expedition started off with a very rough overnight stay in Gatwick terminal due to Easyjet changing their flight times to Gibraltar to
Ex Finn Sappersoaker 14 – 591 Indep Fd Sqn RE Read More »
Atlantic Endeavour was a SCUBA diving adventurous training expedition to Ascension Island in the Mid-Atlantic Ocean. The goal was to develop individual courage and leadership and to provide BSAC training for six prospective ocean divers, two sports divers, one dive leader and one advanced diver, including boat handling skills for the latter two. This was
Exercise Atlantic Endeavour – Cambridge University Air Squadron Read More »
In the first week of December I was fortunate enough to attend adventure training Exercise DRAGON VALETTA in Malta with personnel from 143 (West Midlands) Brigade. Malta is a beautiful island pushing it’s way up from the Mediterranean, with some great opportunities for both rock climbing and open water diving in amazing scenery. A downside
Ex Dragon Valetta 30 Nov – 10 Dec 2013 Read More »
During 8-15 April 2013, Cambridge University Air Squadron deployed to the Island of Gozo, Malta, to undertake an intensive 1-week course of British Sub Aqua Club dive training. 13 students, accompanied by 3 instructors participated in the Exercise, with the bulk of the planning and logistics undertaken by the students. Student responsibilities ranged from co-ordination
1404 – ‘Aquatic Endeavour’ – Island Of Gozo, Malta Read More »
On the 22nd February 2013 four Lordswood Boys’ CCF Royal Navy and Royal Marine cadets and two staff travelled to Saint Martin in the Caribbean to undertake a Discover Scuba Diving course. This would be an exciting new challenge for the cadets as this was their first time in the water as scuba divers. On
1406 – ‘Caribbean Comenius Venturer’ – St Martin, Caribbean Read More »
