Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) has been conducted at Otterburn Camp in Northumberland to prepare a combined force of Yorkshire’s 4th Infantry Brigade, Army Reserve personnel for deployment to Oman as part of EX DESERT KHANJAR in late September. The training, delivered by 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (4 YORKS) ran from 4-25 September.
4 YORKS were also responsible for Force Generation and Preparation involving the trial of a new concept known as Distributed Mobilisation where 4 YORKS took on the role that normally delivered by MRTC Bassingbourne. This meant devising and delivering a package to complete all the initial training requirements before Kohima Company could deploy.
The training includes a range of basic skills and fitness tests followed by Live Fire Tactical Training up to Fire Team level. Kohima will have the opportunity to test its field skills as a Company before deploying to Oman on 26 September under the command of Maj Mick Owen (4 LANCS).
The combined force of 76 reserve solders is drawn from 4 LANCS, 4 YORKS, Queens Own Yeomanry and 6 SCOTS. Together, they will form a formidable enemy force for the Regular Army counterparts of the 2 SCOTS Battlegroup on Ex DESERT KHANJAR. The exercise will be a challenging but rewarding experience for all involved and presents a unique opportunity for soldiers to operate as part of a fully Reservist Company, working alongside Regular Army counterparts and members of the Royal Army of Oman, before returning to the UK in time for Christmas.
