Troops at Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore take part in training exercise in Salisbury Plain Training area

Troops based at Kendrew Barracks participated in a training exercise which replicated real life conditions.

More than 2,500 regular and reserve soldiers from 7th Infantry Brigade - also known as the Desert Rats - have undertaken a six-week training exercise on Salisbury Plain Training area.

The exercise - which was one of the biggest of its kind in a decade - tested the troops ability to live and fight for long periods of time.

Mother nature added to the test as Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis battered the soldiers with torrential rain, gale force winds and freezing temperatures.

Brig Tom Bewick OBE, commander of 7th Infantry Brigade, said: “The training is as realistic, innovative and exciting as possible, with soldiers deployed for six weeks on the plain, driving the development of our core soldiering skills.”

The exercise involved four battlegroups including 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment - known as ‘The Poachers’ - who are based at Kendrew Barracks in Cottesmore.

In the exercise the role of opposing forces was played by 450 other soldiers.

Lt Col, Adam Wolfe MBE, said: “This was a great opportunity for our reserve and regular soldiers to test themselves and each other in what was an especially austere and demanding environment.”

Specialists across the army, including the 104 Military Working Dog Regiment in North Luffenham, all contributed to the exercise.

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