With the gradual relaxation of COVID-19 control measures and as we enter the new normal,  there has been an obvious increase in tempo for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG).  

A statement from British Forces Gibraltar follows below:

One of the first things they have been able to do is to reconnect with their Infantry and  Divisional ties by welcoming Colonel Infantry (Col Inf), Colonel MacMullen MBE ADC,  Lieutenant Colonel Queen's Division, Lieutenant Colonel Wood and Infantry Command  Sergeant Major (Inf Cmd SM), Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) Pearson on their first visit to  Gibraltar.  

The busy visitors’ programme allowed the Regiment to showcase their best and  demonstrated how the Regiment works closely with HQBF, operating not only in the  traditional infantry role but also increasingly in the maritime environment as well. An  example of this close working relationship has seen a detachment from the RG’s I Company recently embedded into the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron (RNGS) to support sovereignty  operations at sea. This saw elements of the RG’s I Company completing sea training and  practising the use of the general-purpose machine gun firing from sea.  

During the visit the RG Training Team highlighted the quality of the training estate here in  Gibraltar, an estate which is becoming more widely acknowledged across the Army as a  training facility that is hard to replicate in the UK. 

Whilst visiting Buffadero Training Area (BTA), Col Inf was able to present WO2 Jefferies-Mor  his Infantry Colours for his outstanding efforts in judo, which rounded off a good day for the  team at the Buffadero Training Centre (BTC). 

For the officers and soldiers, one of the highlights of the visit was a brief given by Col Inf on  the subject of the recent Integrated Review. Col Inf was able to provide clarity to the RG on  the outlook for the Infantry as a whole, and on the role that the RG will play in the future.  Soldiers were given assurances from Lt Col Wood that the RG will remain part of the  Queen’s Division, stressing that career courses and integration with the wider field army will  remain firmly in place. 

Shortly after this visit, the RG’s attention turned to the Queen’s Official 95th Birthday Parade  (QBP) which was held on 10 June in Grand Casemates Square. QBP is a key marker in the  ceremonial programme and its return was an indication of a return to normality.  

In preparation for the Regiment’s first official post-COVID-19 public event, troops from both  HQ Coy and I Coy spent four weeks practising their drill and preparing their ceremonial  uniforms. The time spent bulling parade boots and pressing uniforms was not wasted, as  the marching troops put on an outstanding display on a very warm evening. 

The parade was played on beautifully by The RG Band and Corps of Drums, supplemented  by the Royal Yeomanry Band, both bands being led by the RG Bandmaster, WO1 Spencer.  The RY Band had flown into Gibraltar from the UK to support QBP and a number of other  programmed events during this period. The tremendous support provided by the RY Band,  their hard work and excellent music, working alongside the RG Band made every event  unforgettable!  

Amongst the many dignitaries at the Parade this year were His Excellency the Governor, Sir  David Steel KBE DL, Chief Minister, The Honorable Fabian Picardo QC MP and  Commander British Forces, Commodore Steve Dainton CBE. 

Major Garcia-White, Officer Commanding I Coy, who commanded the RG on parade said: “It  was a real privilege for the RG to march on to Grand Casemates Square again. Last year’s  ceremonial programme was cancelled because of COVID-19 and the previous year the  event had been reduced due to operational commitments, so this year’s parade was also a  statement of our return to normality. It is always nerve-racking for the soldiers on parade to  perform in their home town and in front of their families and friends, but everyone held their  nerve and performed flawlessly. Personally, it was one of those experiences that will remain  with me for the rest of my life and I am grateful to the public who turned out to support us.” 

During this period there was also a bustling military band engagement programme - at the  core was the RG Band with the support of the Royal Yeomanry Band and included  performances at the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club, The Convent, Casemates and St Michael’s  Cave.   

Following shortly on the heels of QBP was Armed Forces Day Gibraltar where the whole  British Forces community came together with the wider Gibraltar community to celebrate the  Armed Forces. This was the first time that British Forces Gibraltar had marked AFD by  opening its gates at the Naval base to the public for a day of fun activities, events and  entertainment. 

The day started with B Coy mounting a Convent Guard, supported by the RG Band and  Corps of Drums, augmented by members of the Royal Yeomanry Band. Following the  Guard Mount, troops from all three Services, veterans and cadets marched from Holy Trinity  Cathedral to the Naval Base. This signalled the opening of the inaugural Armed Forces Day  in Gibraltar during which the Naval Base hosted over 3,500 visitors, all enjoying the activities  and demonstrations that the military community had put together to showcase their talents  and skills.  

2Lt Milward who was the RG lead on Armed Forces Day described the event as an  opportunity for Service families and the wider Gibraltar community to see, feel and interact  with the various units on display throughout the day.  

At their stand, members of the RG were able to explain the Army’s current physical  requirements to potential recruits which also allowed the Physical Training Instructors (PTI) to display their training equipment and talk visitors through the relevant fitness tests.  Members of I Coy & the RG Recruiting team gave people the chance to get their hands on  an array of infantry weapons and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team invited  members of the public to suit up and experience the’ bomb suit’ which would be used by the detachment’s troops in given situations.  

Having been deprived of similar community events during the pandemic, the people of  Gibraltar packed the Naval Base to show their appreciation for the whole Armed Forces 

community, not only those who are currently serving but also their families, the veterans and  the cadets. It also provided an opportunity for the Armed Forces to say ‘Thank You’ to the  public for their continued support. As well as being a fun-filled day for the community, a  number of charities will also benefit from the various fund-raising events that took place  during the day. 

Two days later and with very little time to draw breath, the RG hosted a Subterranean  Warfare training package, utilising the real estate on offer within Gibraltar. The package saw  both the Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP) and the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) integrate with  members of I Coy in order to share best practice and to learn lessons in relation to close  quarter battle in the subterranean environment. During the week’s training, a wide range of  serials tested the exercising troops and allowed directing staff to gain an understanding of  the current Standing Operating Procedures (SOP). The training also highlighted how these  procedures may need to be adapted or changed to allow the RG to keep current and to  make progress in this area. 

During the training week, the exercising troops had the chance to experience kit and  equipment that would be of particular use in the subterranean environment. They used  ballistic shields to clear long tight corridors, employed cameras to search areas before  occupying them and were given a live demonstration of the use of Military Working Dogs  (MWD) in order to understand how the dogs could assist the Rifle Company.   

The Regiment has also been involved in a number of other activities including the return of  21 Royal Gun salutes, fired by Thomson’s Battery - one to mark HM The Queen’s Birthday  on 21 April 21 and one on the anniversary of HM The Queen’s Coronation on 2 June 21,  both salutes were impeccably executed. These are key and proud events for all soldiers of  the RG and they never fail to be a source of inspiration to those who are watching or  participating. It is the noblest and proudest form of drill.  

To ensure that the Regiment continues to mark significant events in such an exemplary  manner, members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment completed a Saluting Gun Course which  ran from 20-24 June 21. The training was provided by instructors from the Royal Artillery  and saw soldiers qualify on Saluting Gun Drill when operating the 105 MM L118 (Light Gun).  

In support of the RG’s Gun Salute capability, ten Instructors have now been trained, two of  whom are trained to be assessors. Major Charles Bonfante and WO2 Karon Fortunato are  now qualified to train other soldiers for Gun Salutes. In total, 116 Soldiers are now trained  and competent as either Officer in Charge (OIC) Practice, Detachment Commanders or  Operators. 

The RG will continue to provide the force protection element to visiting vessels, whilst making use of the summer period to allow troops to take part in Adventure Training, receive  Maths and English tuition and take personal leave.  

Looking ahead, the RG’s B Company will next perform a Convent Guard Mount on 18  September. This ties in with the Ceremony of the Keys which has particular historic roots  and can be traced back to the times of the Great Siege of Gibraltar.  

The RG will also be focussing on plan and preparation for Exercise Jebel Sahara which will  take place in Morocco later in the year. This will see much of the Regiment deploy for a  four-week battle exercise in the Sharia desert.  

As if all this wasn’t enough, the Regiment is also looking ahead to next year and making  preparations for Public Duties in London and the Regiment taking receipt of ‘New Colours’,  currently planned to take place in the second quarter of 2022.