Competitions
The Fusiliers Cup
The 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of
Fusiliers (5RRF) sponsored Exercise
Northumbria Warrior for the cadets of
Northumbria Army Cadet Force. The exercise was
designed to give the senior cadets a different experience to that
normally undertaken during routine training. With a scenario based
upon the cadets undertaking Reception, Staging and Onward
Integration (RSOI) training in the mythical country of Geordieland the cadets undertook training to confirm their
military skills including weapon handling, navigation, first aid, fire orders and patrolling before moving onto field
based training. The teams from W, X, Y and Z Companies had deployed for their RSOI training to a tactical patrol
base complete with a field kitchen from 5RRF who would provide all of their meals during the weekend and a
Regimental Aid Post from 225 Medical Regiment complete with Ambulance.
In addition to helping out with the first aid training and scenarios the medics also demonstrated how they would
employ their life saving equipment on the battlefield. On completion of RSOI the teams were tasked to complete
patrols which included setting an ambush, close quarter battle drills, responding to a casualty situation and a live
fire section in defence shoot. A live enemy kept the teams on their toes particularly during the night when the patrol
base came under attack and the cadets were required to defend their positions. The following morning the cadets
conducted a withdrawal in contact from their patrol base to a vehicle RV where a Troop Carrying Vehicle
transported them back into Otterburn camp for a debrief and end of exercise administration. The results were
particularly close with Z Company hoping to win the competition for the third successive year. However it was a
jubilant X Company who had edged just ahead and received the Fusilier Cup from the Commandant.
Colonel Middleton MBE TD thanked the Army Reserve Regiments for supporting the exercise which made it more
realistic and memorable for the cadets.
The Bustard Cup
Teams from Northumbria and other ACF Counties entered a military skills
competition sponsored by the Royal Artillery held on a wet and blustery
weekend on Warcop Training Area. The teams were put through their paces testing all aspects of
the Army Proficiency Syllabus with points being awarded for fieldcraft, first aid, section attacks, observation,
command tasks, orienteering, a foreign weapons stand and knowledge of the Royal Artillery to name but a few.
In addition to the training activity the cadets were able to view and learn about Artillery equipment such as the
Desert Hawk UAV, 105mm Light Gun, a battlefield radar and the Multiple Launch Rocket System. At the end of the
Saturday the team scores were extremely tight with only one event to go which was to be a practice timed march
around the range area. After a warm up under the watchful eyes of the PTIs the teams set off with Northumbria
ACF setting a blistering pace and it was the County's Z Company which crossed the finish line with the fastest time.
After a quick spruce up and cup of tea the cadets eagerly gathered for the prize giving. Colonel Middleton MBE
TD, Assistant Commander 1st Artillery Brigade (and Commandant Northumbria ACF) thanked the Royal Artillery
staff for organising an enjoyable competition. A team from Northern Ireland were delighted to claim the winning
team trophy but it was Northumbria ACF who lifted the champion county trophy with SSgt Horsborough of Z
Company also being presented with the Bustard trophy for the best team leader.
The County is looking forward to
the 2015 competition as an
opportunity to reclaim the winning
team trophy last won in 2013.
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