Media Operations , Headquarters 49 (East) Brigade
For the first time in forty years the Corps of Royal Engineers has its own dedicated port unit in the form of 509 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (Ports Infrastructure) (Volunteers).
Ports have always played a key role in expeditionary operations and during WW1 and WW2 the Royal Engineers were actively involved in the ports working.
RE port units were involved in the North West Europe campaign 1944 – 45 where a bridgehead was established to support the Normandy landings as part of Operation Overlord.
However, when 17 Port Trg Regt RE was reformed in 1965 as 17 Port Regt RCT, later to become 17 Port and Maritime Regt RLC, the Corps of Royal Engineers no longer had a dedicated port unit; until now.
The STRE, a sub unit of 65 Works Group RE (V) and part of the TA component of 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group, re-roled from utilities to specialise in ports infrastructure engineering earlier this year and has just completed its first Exercise: Exercise Mulberry Phoenix.
Its primary role is to provide professional assessment and design consultancy functions with a limited repair and maintenance capability for the infrastructure of ports world-wide.
Based at Chetwynd Barracks in Nottingham, the nationally recruited 23-strong team specialises in supporting assets and utilities found in a maritime port, including installations such as docks, quays, jetties, handling equipment and transit areas as well as power and water distribution systems and support to dredging activities.
The team boasts professionally qualified engineers and skilled artisans such as electricians, mechanics, plumbers, welders, bricklayers and carpenters experienced in the various aspects of ports infrastructure.
The first week of Exercise Mulberry Phoenix saw the TA soldiers based at HM Naval Base Portsmouth. Hosted by Fleet Support Limited (FSL) who run the dockyard, the soldiers were given a tour of the site before buddying up with their civilian counterparts to gain useful practical experience to their relevant trades.
Recces of a port’s infrastructure were practised at Bristol, Shoreham and the Sea Mounting Centre at Marchwood. The TA soldiers also attended lectures in ports engineering at Chatham.
The OC of 509 STRE (Ports Infra) (V), Major Tony Bell said: “This was our first TA exercise as a newly formed unit and as such was very much a learning based exercise. We wanted the soldiers to visit the ports to see how differently they worked and to learn and practise how to conduct a recce of a port.”
He continued: “The team has gained useful practical experience relevant to their specialisations. They covered a wide range of subjects including dock and lock pumps and penstocks, dock-side cranes, and the enormity of the electrical, steam and water supply and distribution systems.”
Sergeant Tony Hooper (49) joined the TA after 22 years regular Army service. “I never thought as a regular soldier that I would end up joining the TA. I suppose I was very narrow-minded.”
“But in my experience they are a great bunch of lads and their expertise in their fields has to be admired. Some of them have more experience than their military counterparts.
He continued: “Our STRE has an important role to play in ensuring that troops arriving at any port anywhere in the world have the accommodation, power and tools to be able to do their jobs.”
“It is a different way of life to Civvy Street,” said Corporal Tom Moffatt from Merseyside. “In civilian life you need to get a machine fixed so that the production doesn’t slow down and affect profits. In military life you need to get it fixed so that the soldiers can do their jobs and support the operation. There is a strong camaraderie, you just have a different mind set, its great; I really enjoy it.”
