23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault), whose operational role during Operation TELIC was featured in last months edition; was formed in January of this year to provide engineer support to 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Rehearsals had been taking place for the parade at Squadron level weeks before the day itself. A number of drill instructors from ATR Basingborne and RMAS, kindly donated their dulcet commands in order to get the Squadrons ready to parade in front of their family and friends. All three Squadrons;12 (Nova Scotia) Headquarters Squadron (Air Assault) – Waterbeach, 9 Parachute Squadron – Aldershot, 51 Field Squadron (Air Assault) – Ripon, 61 Field Support Squadron (Air Assault) – Maidstone travelled to Waterbeach at the beginning of the week of the parade to practice as a Regiment and iron out any last minute problems.

On the day of the parade the Squadrons, marched on to the Airfield to the Royal Engineer Corps Band, marking a monumental moment in the Regiment’s short history.

The Reviewing Officer Major General Peter Wall CBE, General Officer Commanding 1st United Kingdom Armoured Division arrived at the airfield to see the 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) contingent formed up awaiting his inspection. Major General Wall CBE already has a great affinity to the Regiment as he was previously a Troop Commander with 9 Parachute Squadron and then went on to become Officer Commanding. He most recently commanded 1st United Kingdom Division in Iraq. His inspection of the troops culminated in a fly past by a Jaguar aircraft while he walked back to the dias and took the Salute as the troops marched past. The Jaguar represents close links between the RAF and 16 Air Assault Brigade, since this type aircraft provides support to the Brigade during training and operations. The aircraft flew over twice adding a bit of excitement to the parade with spectators and guests craning their necks to get a better look.

Major General Wall CBE addressed the regiment, in his capacity Reviewing Officer. He spoke about the excellent job that the Regiment had done in Iraq highlighting the hard work that had been necessary by all ranks to allow the Regiment to form and deploy in such a short period of time. He also described the proud heritage of engineers operating in support or Air Assault/Airborne forces, which dates back to World War 2 and includes D-Day and Arnhem.

The parade ended with the Regimental Second in Command; Major Paul Stanley, asking for permission to march off the Regiment’s contingent.

This was followed seconds later by what should have been a spectacular display by the Royal Engineer Freefall Parachute team, lead by Captain Paul Moore Quarter Master 51 Field Squadron (Air Assault). Unfortunately, the cloud cover was too low for the team to jump safely. The team made up for this by flying in the Lynx helicopter at 50ft across the airfield waving at crowd below, a perfect end to the parade.

The Commanding Officer 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) said about the parade: ‘Although the Regiment has already deployed on operations, this is a very important day to us and to the Corps as a whole as we formally celebrate the reformation of an Engineer Regiment in a new, exciting and rapidly developing role.’