ARDENNES
COMMEMORATIVE MARCH TRAINING DAY
13th JANUARY 2008
CHILTERN OPEN AIR
MUSEUM
In January 2008 the group
carried out its first deployment of the year and
mustered for a single days training at its base training
area the Chiltern open air museum in Buckinghamshire.
The Aim of the training
was to prepare a squad from the group to undertake the
82nd Memorial March in Belgium in Feb 08
Regardless of whether
they were a marcher or providing support, all those who
attended played a very big part in what we were trying
to achieve.
For this event we had a new recruit posted in and this
was his first event in the field with us.
Apart from the marching
team itself their was a great bunch of guys supporting
the training and the admin team produced two great meals
and supplied the troops all day with welcoming coffee.
A great days training
which is best summed up by our new member, Mike:
"Just
woken up to the morning after my first day with the
FAAA! My legs, feet, arms, shoulders and back are
all aching which shows that I must have had a good time!
the whole day was great and I would like to thank all
the guys there for letting me join in and constantly
helping me along the way! the day began at 4:30am when
one of the members (possum) went out of his way to pick
me up from Bristol to let me partake in the event which
shows you just how dedicated these guys are to the
hobby! Obviously being new to 82nd airborne re-enacting
I did not have much gear except webbing and boots from
my 101st impression! But within 10 mins of arrival
the group had already sorted me out with lot s of gear
including 3 different jump suits all in my size ! (Which
isn’t easy to find being 6ft 6)? Throughout the day I
took part in weapons training on a6 machine guns, march
training and a bit of drill training too and enjoyed
every minute of it (especially the great breakfast and
dinner which was all supplied by the group)! I
look forward to many more future events with the group
and recommend anyone who is thinking about joining FAAA
to do so! Thanks again to all who were there and
will hopefully see you soon at Stoneleigh!"
Lee Bowden
First Sergeant and Group Coordinator
FAAA
