Parade completes airborne gunners’ reorganisation, 7 PARA RHA, 1 August 2013.

Parade completes airborne gunners’ reorganisation

An artillery regiment has come together to formally complete the transition to a new structure to support the British Army’s rapid reaction force.

As part of the Army 2020 reforms, Colchester-based 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (7 Para RHA) has re-organised from five to three batteries. The unit has retained its manning levels and firepower to deliver two better-equipped gun batteries to support 16 Air Assault Brigade.

The end of the restructuring was marked today (Thu 1 Aug) with a transition parade at Merville Barracks. The event saw the formal transfer of H Parachute Battery (Ramsay's Troop) to 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and the re-roling of I Parachute Battery (Bull's Troop) from a gun battery to a headquarters battery.

To mark the occasion The Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers performed and an Apache attack helicopter made a flypast.

Lieutenant Colonel Will Lynch, Commanding Officer of 7 Para RHA, said: “This has been an occasion for the whole regimental family - our Gunners, their families and veterans – to come together to celebrate the proud history and bright future of 7 Para RHA.

“H Para Bty has been with the Regiment since 1994 and it is with sadness that we pass the title on. However we are safe in the knowledge that in its new role with 1 RHA its strong traditions and high standards will be maintained."

“The completion of this transition means that the Regiment retains the same capabilities in a more efficient structure to suit our role within 16 Air Assault Brigade. We have a busy training programme after the summer where the Regiment will be put through its paces and ensure we are ready for our role to deploy on operations anywhere in the world at short notice.”

With its transfer to 1 RHA, based at Tidworth in Wiltshire, H Para Bty will be equipped with the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System. I Para Bty, which was established by Captain Robert Bull in Colchester in 1805 to serve in the Napoleonic Wars, will take over the headquarters role from H Para Bty.

The Regiment’s two gun batteries are F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery and G Parachute Battery (Mercer's Troop). Each is equipped with six 105mm Light Guns and including Fire Support Teams who co-ordinate artillery, fast air and attack helicopter support to troops on the ground.