A MILITARY milestone anniversary was commemorated with a special ceremony attended by paratroopers past and present, as well their families.
Merville Barracks, at Colchester Garrison, hosted the Parachute Regiment’s 80th birthday celebrations today with a historic thanksgiving service.
The regiment was formed in 1942 to exploit the then new technologies of parachuting, enabling them to deploy by air to outflank the enemy.
Since the Second World War, the unit has been deployed to the likes of Palestine, the Falklands and Afghanistan conducting missions, from peace support to war fighting.
Today's event saw all four of the regiment’s battalions – two of which are based in Colchester - march around the complex to the sound of an army band.
They then came to a standstill under the baking hot sun as they locked into formation on the parade square as hundreds of spectators proudly watched on.
The ceremony was led by the Rev Nigel Kinsella, the Rev Richard Meikle and the Rev Stewart, all of whom are part of the Parachute Regiment.
Following the service, the paratroopers departed the parade square before the Red Devils Parachute Display Team jumped into action to add some airborne amazement.
Regimental secretary major Adam Jowett said: “This has been a fantastic occasion to bring together paratroopers past and present and our families to mark 80 years since the establishment of The Parachute Regiment in 1942.
“Formed during the Second World War as an innovative force to pioneer the then new methods of airborne operations, the regiment has had a proud and illustrious history serving in every conflict that British soldiers have fought in since.
“The achievements throughout those 80 years set the standards that we expect of the current generation of paratroopers in their vital role as the tip of the spear for the British Army.”
The 2nd and 3rd battalions which are stationed at Colchester Garrison serve as airborne infantry within the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the British Army’s global response force.
One of their most recent missions included the evacuation of Kabul last August, after Taliban forces invaded the Afghanistan capital.
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