News
December 13th 2018
The Lombardia
Knife fighting was one of the challenges
In May 2018 reservists from the Mercian Regiment’s Nottinghamshire based, 4 Battalion Patrols Team entered the Italian Raid Commando military competition, better known as the Lombardia.
In a similar style to Cambrian Patrol the reservists were put through their paces in 20 different challenges whilst completing a 28 mile trek, competing against 38 different teams from nine NATO nations.
Some of the challenges required the reserves to work with soldiers from other NATO nations including a night time raid with minimal planning time.
Quick break on the way to the top of the mountain
Second Lieutenant Sam Russon, who works as an Accountant in his civilian career, explained: “The most valuable aspects of this exercise were the continued opportunity to work with soldiers from other NATO nations.
“Through sharing knowledge and experience, we were able to quickly compare approaches and methods to gain the best result – collaboration provides for the common approach, vital for NATO.
“The greatest challenge, which also provided for its greatest value, was navigating in mountainous and wooded terrain with little features.
“This is a fantastic exercise for junior commanders to lead and as preparation for more intensive exercises. Would we go again? Most definitely and we hope to post a much better score next year!”
Every year reserves benefit from taking part in international exercises like this because it gives them experience of working together as a team which will help them adapt when they go on deployments.
“The greatest challenge, which also provided for its greatest value, was navigating in mountainous and wooded terrain with little features. "
