Nov 13 - Tales From Jebel Sahara – New Recruits Shine
It may be the 13th time The Royal Gibraltar Regiment has deployed to Morocco on Exercise Jebel Sahara, but for some new recruits, this is their first taste of a combined military exercise with an allied force.
Pte Andrew Dunham, 18, finished his Infantry Training at ITC Catterick in August and following leave, set off with the advance party to the exercise ground just outside of Marrakesh. On arrival Pte Dunham helped to set up the tents and build up the Forward Operating Base.
Pte Dunham said: “This experience is brilliant, something completely different to what I would be doing back in Gibraltar and it is good to train in a totally different environment.”
The intense heat in the middle of the day and the rugged terrain are a stark contrast to training areas in UK and give the soldiers an opportunity to train in difficult conditions which can help them prepare for operational duties in harsh climates.
Pte Dunham was inspired to join the military by a cousin who was in the RAF, “I used to really look up to him, he was like a role model to me, I’m glad I joined the Regiment because I’m really enjoying it, especially the live firing; the only thing I am missing about Gibraltar at the moment are my girlfriend and my bed,” he said.
Pte Jamie Fortuna, 18, is also on his first Exercise Jebel Sahara and has been with the Regiment for nine months. He said: “It was a shock getting here at first because of the heat and dusty terrain but it is such a good experience, we also get to work with the Moroccan Army and show them how we use some of our equipment.”
Training on Exercise Jebel Sahara has unearthed Pte Fortuna’s hidden talent, his OC Maj David King explains: “We’ve discovered Pte Fortuna is amazing at pistol shooting, although he has been with us a few months we don’t normally train using pistols, but WO2 Brian Trainner from the Small Arms School has been with us and held a Close Quarter Marksmanship Course where his ability became apparent.”
WO2 Brian Trainner who is part of the Operational Shooting Training Team based in York said: “Pte Fortuna excelled on the course but especially with the pistol, in fact, Pte Fortuna and LCpl Lippingwell shot to a standard like Jason Bourne!”
