Overseas Exercise
Telling the Tale of the TDS
The view out over the fleet with Fleet Mt Kenya in the background
Scribe: Lt Coleing (5 FS Bn REME)
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estled in the foothills of Africa’s second tallest mountain, British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) enjoys breath taking views as its diverse workforce prepares to set a standard of excellence in light role training. With the largest B fleet in the Army and a multitude of exercises to deliver, the men and woman of the workshop are rarely short of opportunities to practice their trades on a wide range of platforms from pistols to plant and Oshkosh. Working collaboratively with Locally Employed Civilians (LECs) to develop engineering skills and provide Equipment Support, tradesmen and women from all over the Corps work against the clock to ensure the British Army remains ready to operate anywhere on the globe.
Petting, Cfn Ward stroking an appreciative cheetah
20 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk
It is said that balance is the key to happiness and a deployment to BATUK is certainly not all about work! The camp itself has undergone extensive improvements over the last few years and now boasts excellent accommodation, messes, gym facilities, a bar and a cinema to enjoy during evenings and downtime, but the really exceptional prospects lay on the other side of the gates. Nanyuki, BATUK’s hometown, is a bustling and friendly city full of restaurants, shops, traders and bars sited on the equator and surrounded by national parks and conservancies bursting with wildlife. With such awesome geographical features so close to camp, regular Adventurous Training packages are regularly organised for permanent and Temporary Duty Staff (TDS) that see service persons partake in an array of activities from canyoneering (cliff jumping into fast moving rivers), climbing Mt Kenya and mountain bike safaris. Another hugely rewarding and varied opportunity available to all BATUK personnel is the chance to work with the Community Engagement team to improve the lived experience of Kenyan locals and British service persons alike whilst enhancing the relationship with our host nation. With so much to do, the overriding consensus from those who grasp opportunities, is that time really does fly in Kenya! When considering where I wanted to deploy for my EMELt detachment, the wide range of equipment, geographical location, mixed workforce (LEC and Military), multi capbadge environment and insight to Collective Training Group (CTG) offered by BATUK secured it as the top spot on my wish list. Amidst a Covid environment, where travelling seemed a distance memory, I was ecstatic to learn that I had secured an eight-week detachment to Kenya. Once I’d arrived and completed the FHPM quarantine period, I
The ancient tortoise
