It's Friday so...

If a goose can do it, so can you: WEAR RED to show support of our troops!

B*N*S*N1

Brothers Staff Sergeant Ray Neenan and Corporal Darren Neenan in front of an Army Air Corps Apache attack helicopter at Camp Bastion in Helmand province
[Picture: Corporal Mark Webster, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

Brothers service Apache helicopters in Helmand

Two brothers are serving together in Afghanistan for the first time, servicing the Apache gunships of 654 Squadron Army Air Corps.

Staff Sergeant Ray Neenan, aged 29, and Corporal Darren Neenan, 21, are from Chatham in Kent.

Ray joined the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in 1998 as an apprentice aircraft technician, the mechanics responsible for the maintenance and repair of the Army's helicopters. Eight years later his younger brother Darren followed him into the trade.

Although they have followed a common career progression, they have never crossed paths professionally until now. Ray is an Aircraft Artificer in 654 Squadron's Close Support Section in Afghanistan while Darren is part of 7 Air Assault Battalion REME, who have sent extra technicians to bolster the support section during a tough and demanding deployment to Camp Bastion in Helmand province.

Darren was only seven years old when Ray joined the Army at the age of 16:

"This is the most time we've spent together by a country mile," says Ray. "I've been keeping an eye out for him; we're getting to know each other a lot better."...

Much more over at MoD here.

B*N*S*N2

Music for the troops, by the 'Troops'

Nov 1, 2010

By Jacqueline M. Hames

"Sing?"

Daniel Jens, member of the 4TROOPS musical group, asked the sound technician before bursting into a rap. His band mates, Meredith Melcher, Ron Henry and David Clemo shook their heads and laughed. Their energy and regard for one another was apparent while they warmed up onstage at Wallace Theater at Fort Belvoir, Va.

The band, together since December 2009, was at the theater to mentor the cast of the U.S. Army Soldier Show. Melcher, Henry, Clemo and Jens sang a few songs from their album (released May 11) for the cast and brought them all onstage for an impromptu meet-and-greet.

"Congratulations to all of you," Henry said with a big smile as the Soldiers gathered around. "You're doing something I never got the chance to do."

Though Henry didn't have the opportunity to be in the Soldier Show, the retired staff sergeant competed in "Operation Rising Star," an annual singing contest sponsored by Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command. There, he met Victor Hurtado, the current production director for the Soldier Show, who is also responsible for bringing 4TROOPS together.

"I had met Victor after I got off of 'America's Got Talent,'" Jens said. When the record label management approached Jens about forming a group, he immediately recommended Hurtado. "I trusted Victor with my life, and I knew that with his production background working with talented Soldiers, I trusted that they were going to be great."

Hurtado pulled in Melcher and Clemo, whom he worked with in the 2004 production of the Soldiers Show, and contacted Henry last. He "brought us all together because he knew about our talents, and our consistency and our reliability," Melcher said. She emphasized that reliability and accountability are important traits in the Army and the music industry.

The group imparted some valuable wisdom on the cast of Soldier Show: primarily to stay humble, appreciate the backstage and tech crews, and of course, to share their gifts.

"Encourage one another, whatever dream you've got," Jens said, "I don't care how long it takes; fight. Fight for what you believe in, fight for your goals."

...

Go read the rest here.

B*N*S*N3

11/16/2010 - A U.S. Navy Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk helicopter, flown by Lt. Brian Roberts, assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37, and Cmdr. Brian Gebo, the commanding officer of the squadron, lands next to the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on Ford Island in Hawaii Nov. 16, 2010. The helicopter was delivered to become a part of the museum’s collection after reaching the end of its service life cycle. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico, U.S. Navy/Released)

11/10/2010 - U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s maritime interception operations assault force approach a suspect vessel during small boat boarding training in Souda Bay in Crete, Greece, Nov. 10, 2010. The assault force conducted a one-week course at the NATO Maritime Interception Operations Training Center on tactics to board a suspect vessel. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Matt, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

B*N*S*N4

90th anniversary of the Association of Wrens celebrated

A History and Honour news article

16 Nov 10

A service of commemoration and rededication for the Association of Wrens was held in this, their 90th anniversary year, at the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, London, at the weekend.

Members of the Association of Wrens outside the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London
[Picture: Petty Officer Airman (Photographer) Amanda Reynolds, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

The service was attended by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, patron of the Association, and Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.

The service was attended by over 450 members of the Association and followed by a reception in the church's crypt.

Small groups of Association members were presented to Her Royal Highness at the ceremony on Saturday 13 November 2010, including the Royal Navy uniformed ushers and those modelling uniforms from through the decades...

[...]

The Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS or 'Wrens') was created in November 1917 as a result of heavy naval losses in the previous years and a resulting shortage of manpower for active sea service...

[...]

During the Second World War, the Service lost 303 women.

The service of commemoration and rededication for the Association of Wrens at the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London
[Picture: Petty Officer Airman (Photographer) Amanda Reynolds, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

In 1977, the Service was brought into line with the Navy itself and was subject to the Naval Discipline Act. This allowed a greater number of trades to be undertaken by women in the Service. It also meant they had parity with their counterparts in the Air Force and Army....

A very interesting article about an amazing group of women. Go here.

Coming Home by The SoldiersUK

thesoldiersUK | October 26, 2009

Debut single from The Soldiers available to download now with all proceeds going to the Army Benevolent Fund.

The album, also titled 'Coming Home' is out on Monday 26th October featuring the this single and 14 other moving tracks. A share of the proceeds are going to the Army Benevolent, Help For Heroes and The Royal British Legion.

Visit www.the-soldiers.co.uk or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesoldiers to find out more.

Some Gave All: Ranger Aaron McCormick

Ranger Aaron McCormick killed in Afghanistan

15 Nov 10

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Ranger Aaron McCormick, from 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, serving as part of Combined Force Nad 'Ali (South), was killed in Helmand, southern Afghanistan, on Sunday 14 November 2010.

Ranger Aaron McCormick
[Picture: via MOD]

Ranger McCormick had been helping to clear an area of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a security patrol in Nad 'Ali when he was killed in an explosion.

Ranger Aaron McCormick

Rgr McCormick, aged 22, came from Coleraine in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. On completion of his recruit training, he joined 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (1 R IRISH) at Tern Hill, Shropshire, in January 2008.

Rgr McCormick was posted to A Company, where he served with distinction for two-and-a-half years. His professionalism, selflessness and enthusiasm were well known across the Company and the Battalion. Rgr McCormick had served once before in Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 8, and was quickly identified as a quality soldier. Voluntarily, he took on the responsibility as the lead Vallon (mine detection) man. He would be the first man on any patrol, showing the strength of character and courage that he would come to be known for.

Faugh-A-Ballagh! ('Clear the way!'), is the Regiment's motto, and Rgr McCormick was a man who truly cleared the way.

Despite a relatively short time in the Army he was able to offer guidance and advice to the newest members of his unit, often over a brew and having a chat about 'Star Wars'; he was a huge fan.

Rgr McCormick was very well educated and had aspirations to complete a degree in education in the future, a career to which he would have been well suited.

Always ready with a smile, Rgr McCormick was always at the centre of the 'craic' and he will be sorely missed by all members of The Royal Irish Regiment. He leaves behind his mother, Margaret, his father, Lesley, his sisters, Callie-Ann and Tammy, his brother, Michael, and his girlfriend, Becky. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir MBE, Commanding Officer, 1 R IRISH, said:

"Ranger Aaron McCormick was the epitome of the Irish Infantry soldier: tough; selfless; good-humoured and full of compassion. Today, there is a gap in our ranks which no ordinary man could fill. He was the best of his country and we mourn his loss. Today, we have a heavy heart. Tomorrow, in his honour and because it is right, his brother Rangers will steel themselves once again, will step out on patrol, and will face down the enemy. This place is already better for Aaron having been here; we will now build on his good work with renewed determination to win. (More here at MoD)

Ranger McCormick gave his all on Remembrance Day, as people across Britain paid tribute to all who have served so honourably in the British forces:

'Courageous soldier'

Reverend Mike Roemmele said he had visited his family, who were only just back from a holiday.

"They are obviously completely devastated by the news," he said.

"He has sadly only had a couple of months there and he is the first of the regiment who has died on active service since he and his friends were sent out."

Mr Roemmele said Aaron was "a lad who was full of life, had a great deal of fun and had a number of interests but his primary interest was his service and being with his friends in the Army". (more at the Beeb here)

From the Belfast Telegraph:

Ranger McCormick was a Star Wars fan, his fellow soldiers said.

[...]

His friend Ranger Daniel Jackson, who served alongside him in A Company, 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, explained: "Aaron went by many names, but to his friends he was "Jedi".
(more here)

Ranger McCormick attended Coleraine Academical Institution, and a special assembly was held to honour him:

Staff and pupils remembered a student who always dreamed of being a soldier.

Special assembly School principal Dr David Carruthers said: "He's remembered as polite, he always got on very well with teachers and pupils.

"It was clear through his time at school that what he always wanted to do was join the forces and shortly after leaving school he joined up and he was very proud to be a member of the Royal Irish Regiment."It was absolutely Aaron's intention to make a career of being a soldier...

[...]
Lt Col Colin Weir, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment, said: "Ranger Aaron McCormick was the epitome of the Irish infantry soldier - tough, selfless, good-humoured and full of compassion."

The War on Terror has a tribute up to this fine young man:

Rgr McCormick was very well educated and had aspirations to complete a degree in education in the future, a career to which he would have been well suited. Always ready with a smile, Rgr McCormick was always at the centre of the 'craic' and he will be sorely missed by all members of The Royal Irish Regiment. He leaves behind his mother, Margaret, his father, Lesley, his sisters, Callie-Ann and Tammy, his brother, Michael, and his girlfriend, Becky...

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir MBE, Commanding Officer, 1 R IRISH, said: [...]

"At 22, Ranger McCormick was something of an Afghan 'old-hand', looked up to by the more junior Rangers and relied upon by his commanders. In his many battles he was unfailingly brave, and perhaps more tellingly, he was brave even when the adrenaline was not flowing.

In full knowledge of the danger, he was determined that he would be the front man on every patrol, and the first man out of the gate of the checkpoint. He died as a result of an operation to confirm the presence of an IED; a vital first step to clearing it and protecting the lives of local civilians and soldiers alike.

"Ranger Aaron McCormick was a son, brother and companion of whom his heartbroken family and friends can feel intensely proud. This regiment does not forget, and we will continue to pray for him and his loved ones.

"Faugh A Ballagh"

Major Jamie Humphreys, Commander of A Company, 1 R IRISH, said:

"I had the privilege of commanding Ranger Aaron McCormick since May 2010. At only 22 years of age he was already an experienced soldier with a bright future. Very popular within the Company he was very much a soldier's Ranger.

He was a shining example of all that is great about commanding Irish soldiers; strong willed, good humoured, faithful and as brave as they come. His experience from his previous tour in Afghanistan was well known and he was forever passing on his knowledge to the more junior members of the Company.

"He had demonstrated throughout our pre-deployment training that he was totally committed to his job as the point Vallon man for his multiple, and it was in fulfilling this role that he was so tragically killed in action. He was a vital member of his rifle platoon, based in a particularly challenging area of southern Nad 'Ali.

"It was typical of Ranger McCormick to have insisted on being the Vallon man, as he believed he was the best man for the task and wanted to ensure that the soldiers with whom he patrolled were as safe as he could possibly make them.

A qualified infantry assault pioneer, he was well aware of the dangers he faced. He chose this role when he could have avoided being so close to the action and this was characteristic of the dogged determination he displayed. This willingness to do the hard graft and share danger was his hallmark, and the courage that he displayed on a daily basis will never be forgotten. He was a fine example of a Royal Irish soldier.[...]

Lance Corporal Christopher Griffiths and Rgr Stephen McEntaggart who served alongside Rgr McCormick in A Company, 1 R IRISH, said:

"Words cannot describe him - you have to have known him. Good soldier and great friend, he will be a huge loss to A Company. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. 'Spectamur Agendo'."

LCpl William Hull, who served alongside Rgr McCormick in A Company, 1 R IRISH, said:

"I had the honour of knowing Ranger Aaron McCormick and working with him since I arrived in A Company. Me, Aaron and Ranger Graham were told to attend the assault pioneer course and Aaron was looking forward to it. It was something he told me that he always wanted to do and when we went down to the course and you could tell that he wanted to do well.

As the course went on, Aaron stood out and he was always stepping to the front to go first on all the tasks. The instructors could tell that he was keen and he was popular among all the people on the course. I will not only remember the good times we had at work, we also had some good nights out that were very memorable. He finished very high on the course and was a credit to all of us in the R IRISH. All my thoughts go out to you, his family and partner at this darkest of times.

"Rest In peace mate, you will never be forgotten."

Rgr David Callaghan who served alongside Rgr McCormick in A Company, 1 R IRISH, said:

"We were in the same section in Kenya for some of our training, and had good times in the desert. In camp we both watched every Star Trek film from the first one to most recent one, even though he preferred Star Wars he would always be willing to watch 'Trek for us!

Last time I saw him was in Check Point TANOOR and he had just received fiive parcels. He was ecstatic and showed me pictures of his family and girlfriend, Becky. Aaron was a great friend and someone I could always rely on. He will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family and will never be forgotten."

Rgr Daniel Jackson, who served alongside Rgr McCormick in A Company, 1 R IRISH, said:

"Aaron went by many names, but to his friends he was 'Jedi'. He was a great friend who will be missed by all close to him. He was always around for you if you had any problems (as long as you provided mug and brew). I, along with his family and friends, will never forget Aaron. My thoughts are with his friends and family."

Rgr Neil McClory, who served alongside Rgr McCormick in A Company, 1 R IRISH, said:

[...]


"Over the last two years we have had many good times together, whether it was spending a weekend in camp or heading out to the town and cities around Tern Hill. He will always be remembered within the Company as 'the Jedi' for his love of Star Wars films. "He will be remembered by all of the Company as a close friend that would always stop and take the time to talk to you.


"Rest in peace." [...]

Rgr Thomas Smyth, who served alongside Rgr McCormick in A Company, 1 R IRISH, said:

"Aaron was a close friend and it was a privilege to know him and share a room with him. I will never forget his humour and remember his bed-space at Tern Hill being surrounded with pictures of his family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew him and will be fondly remembered."

There are many more tributes over - from those who knew Ranger McCormick best - at War on Terror News. Go here and read about this great fallen hero, son, brother, boyfriend.

"...Even if you cannot hear my voice, I'll be right beside you..."

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam, Ranger McCormick.