Photos: Exercise Island Warrior 24 Underway
Soldiers from four British Overseas Territories, including the Royal Bermuda Regiment, gathered in North Carolina for Exercise Island Warrior 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
A spokesperson said, “More than 100 soldiers and officers from the RBR are joined at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune by members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, the Cayman Islands Regiment and the Falkland Islands Defence Force.
“After arrival and administration on Sunday, troops spent two days training on several different firing ranges, making the most of space and facilities not available in Bermuda.
“The RBR’s Acting Sergeant Major Runekco Edwards, the company sergeant major for the two-week exercise, said everyone was settling in and morale was high.”
He added, “Members of the other forces have integrated really well and working with them like this helps us to develop our long-term relationships with other countries.”
The spokesperson said, “Lance Corporal John Woollacott has been a member of the FIDF since 2018 and was eager to join other troops on Ex IW24.”
The 38-year-old, who is the Director of Health and Social Services for the Falkland Islands Government, said, “Anything that can improve your skillset, improve your confidence and make you a more useful member of the defence force, any training, is always beneficial.
“I was particularly interested to work alongside some of the other OTs.
“We’re extremely grateful to the Royal Bermuda Regiment for allowing us the opportunity to come; everyone has been very friendly and welcoming.”
The spokesperson said, “He appreciated the chance to fire on a well-developed range and without the strong crosswinds that typically impact shots on the FIDF range.
“Lance Corporal Kisha Pitcher, of the RBR, is enjoying her first Camp Lejeune experience, after she joined the Regiment almost four years ago.”
The 39-year-old, from Warwick, said, “It’s nice to work with other people and also we have more opportunities here to do different work, for instance yesterday we used the SA80 rifle and the Glock pistol, which is something we don’t get our hands on very often in Bermuda.”
LCpl Pitcher, who is an investor relations associate in civilian life, was also among RBR troops who took part in a training exercise in Guyana last year.
She said, “Travel is not the reason I joined, but it’s a great perk to being in the Regiment.
“I joined to work on my discipline and also I like the adventure training. I’m very much into the outdoors.”
The spokesperson said, “Today, soldiers prepared to embark on an overnight urban operations training exercise, that will include tactics and strategies for clearing rooms and other structures.
“Lance Corporal Raymond Brangman, a deckhand and able seaman for Marine and Ports Services outside of the RBR, looked forward to learning new skills.”
The 35-year-old, from Paget, said, “I want to go for my second stripe and I also plan, in the future, to become an officer.”
The spokesperson said, “For more information or to join the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visit rbr.bm or call 238-1045.”
