Major Chris Prince watches as the Principal of Darlington College Tim Grant attempts to safely de-activate the inert device
Territorial Army soldiers from Aycliffe have taken delivery of a bespoke training aid, in the shape of a replica bomb, which was built for them by engineering students.
Darlington College students built the device for 124 Recovery Company, 102 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), based at northfield Way. The training aid – which must be deactivated by cutting the correct coloured wire before an alarm sounds – was officially handed over on JUNE 13th.
The project came about after Darlington College engineering tutor and 124 Recovery Company vehicle electrician, Lance Corporal Steve Corner, tasked his students with building a replacement for an existing training aid which had started to look a little dated.
Major Chris Prince, Officer Commanding, 124 Recovery Company, said: “The students and tutors have taken our original device, redesigned it, and manufactured a fantastic and professional looking piece of equipment, which is a testament to their skills.
“We will be taking it to recruiting events and using it on exercises as we develop our engineers and future leaders.
“It was great to hear the students have been able to use this project as an element of their course work and I hope it has given them an insight to the many engineering opportunities there are in the Territorial Army.
“I hope this can be the first of many successful partnership projects between the college and ourselves.”
124 Recovery Company is recruiting potential recovery mechanics, vehicle mechanics, vehicle electricians, armourers and other trades.
Reservists are paid at the same rate as those in the regular Army and receive full training. For more information call 01325-375001 or google “Army jobs”.
