A group of soldiers from across Yorkshire endured sub-zero temperatures as they trained across three northern counties this week.
Troops from the 4th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (4 YORKS) battled the elements in County Durham, Cumbria, and North Yorkshire in a bid to complete Exercise YORKSHIRE STRIKE.
The training, which fully adhered to Covid-19 protocols, saw the Army Reserve infantrymen brush up on a range of skills including cross-country driving, rifle shooting, and tactical patrolling.
One of the soldiers taking part, Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Adrian Bushby, reflected on the snowy weather:
There’s not that much of a difference. The only problem is that when you are lying down [when shooting], it starts to get a bit cold!
CPL DANIELLE DAWSON © MoD Crown Copyright 2021
While conditions were tough, manoeuvres like this are essential to maintaining the operational effectiveness of the UK’s military.
4 YORKS is mostly made up of reservists, who balance full-time civilian careers or studies with their roles in the British Army.
Former Coldstream Guardsman WO2 Bushby said:
Being in the Army Reserve is just like being back in the regulars, but with extra leave. It’s a good job to have and I quite enjoy it.
Recent months have proved a busy period for the unit, with troops supporting NHS efforts to combat Covid-19 and a number of personnel preparing to deploy to Kenya later this year.
