TA SOLDIER IN TESTING EXERCISE

Territorial Army soldier Signaller Mark Fleet from Uckfield took part in Exercise Cold Start at Lydd Army Training Area near Folkestone.

Leaving their civilian jobs behind them, the TA soldiers travelled to Lydd on the Friday night where they were briefed to expect plenty of action for the next two days.

Captain Keiron Francis, Acting Officer Commanding 56 Signal Squadron, said: 'This weekend was the largest regimental exercise that we have run for a number of years and it was designed to train our soldiers and senior cadets in techniques that they might encounter if on operational tours overseas.'

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As the soldiers and cadets were woken up at the crack of dawn on the Saturday they were taken through a series of training stands which would teach them skills in fighting in built up areas, patrolling, communications and how to recognise and use foreign weapons.

With the training complete, the exercise started with a 'bang' as they faced a series of incidents.

For the rest of the day and overnight, they had to deal with enemy sniper attacks, weapon smuggling, check point controls, road side bombs, dealing with casualties, and finally they had to re-capture the local police station.

Signalle Fleet, 35, who is a Railway Engineer for Network Rail, said: 'I've been in the TA for two years and this weekend's training exercise was one of the best I've been on. We had the chance to brush-up on our basic military skills in realistic situations which were pushed to the limit. It was well attended and a great way to start off the New Year.'

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