So it is fitting that the Williams F1 team have decided to show their respect for the men and women of the TA by having their FW30 cars fly around Silverstone during Sunday's Grand Prix with the TA100 logo on their noses.
Sir Frank Williams, Team Principal of the AT&T Williams team, said;
"I am extremely proud and delighted to be able to offer my support to the Territorial Army in its centenary year. I have immense respect for the TA, the commitment and dedication shown by its members both past and present. The service they have given to our country should be applauded as should the support they receive from their families, friends and employers."
Director of Reserves (Army), Brigadier Greg Smith, who is the senior TA officer by appointment in the Army, said:
"This is a remarkably generous gesture on the part of Sir Frank Williams and his team. To recognise the Territorial Army's 100 years in this way is a fantastic way of saying thanks to the many thousands of reservists who have served their country. We are proud to serve with Williams F1 at the British Grand Prix and wish them every success.
"Today on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Cyprus we have over 750 members of the TA who, alongside regular soldiers, are doing remarkable things and demonstrating all the qualities we see in Formula 1 - the winning spirit, courage, tenacity and technical skills. This is a special year for us both as Williams F1 celebrate their thirtieth year in the sport and the Territorial Army its hundredth year of serving the nation."
With a proud and distinguished heritage, now, more than ever, the Territorials are a professional, skilled and essential component of the Army's operational capability, playing a full part in current operations.
Today, the Army depends upon the reliability and versatility of the TA to meet its mission and, after a century of service, the TA is more capable and more in demand than ever before.
In this, its centenary year, 1,500 Territorial Army soldiers will be deployed on operations, which accounts for eight per cent of deployed Army capability. In total, over 14,000 TA members have served on our current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of those have tragically lost their lives and others returned wounded.
TA100 presents an opportunity for the TA to showcase what the modern Territorials do, while allowing the nation to thank them and recognise the contribution they make in both their military and civilian lives. |
