Military aims to engage with community at Kendrew Barracks open day

IMAGE: Trooper Jamal Adam shows Oscar and Oliver Wilson the new thermal image scope.

KENDREW BARRACKS OPEN DAY

Hundreds attended the Kendrew Barracks Open day. It included demonstrations by 101 Military Working Dogs and a fly over from the Red Arrows as well as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Guests were also able to talk to soldiers about life in the army as well as look at military equipment and vehicles.

Photographer: Corporal Luisa Scott RLC

NOTE TO DESKS:
MoD release authorised handout images.
All images remain crown copyright.
Photo credit to read - Corporal Luisa Scott RLC (Phot) EMN-160523-163946001 — IMAGE: Trooper Jamal Adam shows Oscar and Oliver Wilson the new thermal image scope. KENDREW BARRACKS OPEN DAY Hundreds attended the Kendrew Barracks Open day. It included demonstrations by 101 Military Working Dogs and a fly over from the Red Arrows as well as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Guests were also able to talk to soldiers about life in the army as well as look at military equipment and vehicles. Photographer: Corporal Luisa Scott RLC NOTE TO DESKS: MoD release authorised handout images. All images remain crown copyright. Photo credit to read - Corporal Luisa Scott RLC (Phot) EMN-160523-163946001

Kendrew Barracks in Cottesmore threw its gates open to the local community for a free open day and organisers estimate that about 3,000 people were there to see what was going on.

Among the highlights was the opportunity to see displays by the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment and farriers from the Defence Animal Centre, which were both popular.

All Army units from across Leicestershire and Rutland, as well as RAF and Sea Cadets, were there to speak to visitors and there was music from the Band of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Armoured vehicles, weapons and trucks were also on display and drew large numbers of children and adults alike to have a look.

Although a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast had to be cancelled, the day was brought to a close with a spectacular flypast by the Red Arrows, drawing whoops and cheers from the remaining crowds.

Capt Chris Finbow, based at Kendrew Barracks, said: “It was a really fantastic day and it was very positive in terms of our engagement with the local community.

“The rain stayed away, which helped in terms of visitor numbers, although it was a bit breezy on the open airfield.

“We were able to show our capabilities and remind people that even though we’ve finished in Afghanistan and we’re not as prominent in the national media, we are still very busy. We have a variety of deployments across the world both operationally and training.

“But we are very lucky here, as we are one of the few Army units to be based in the area it recruits from, so there was lots of the lads families here on the day, which was really nice.

“There was a diverse range of things going on so I think there was something for everyone.

“It wasn’t a recruitment day - it was a chance for people to see what we do and I think everyone really appreciated that and had a great day.”