By Alistair Nelson THE Carver Barracks in Wimbish has become the home to a new regiment of Royal Engineers which will take on an identical role to the bomb disposal regiment which is already based there. Currently the home of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explos

By Alistair Nelson

THE Carver Barracks in Wimbish has become the home to a new regiment of Royal Engineers which will take on an identical role to the bomb disposal regiment which is already based there.

Currently the home of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), the barracks near Saffron Walden will now be shared with 101 Engineer Regiment (EOD).

Outgoing commanding officer of 33 Engineer Regiment, Lt Col David Southall, who is soon to be deployed in Afghanistan, said: "Our bomb disposal and specialist search community continues to flourish and I'm delighted to be handing over command of our EOD Squadrons to two commanding officers.

"It demonstrates the growth and investment in this key military capability; the change is also matched by another major Wimbish deployment to Afghanistan and I look forward to leading the Counter-IED (improvised explosive device) Task Force in Helmand this summer.

"IEDs in Afghanistan pose a deadly threat to us, this indiscriminate tactic of desperation continues to kill and maim far more innocent Afghans. Whilst this IED fight is not easy, it remains critical to help secure Afghanistan, with the Afghan Security Forces, for the Afghans.

"I'm confident we have the equipment, training and expertise to prevail and I'm immensely proud, and humbled, by what our young sappers achieve in this most testing and demanding of roles. I thank them, and their families for their unswerving commitment to make Afghanistan a safer place.

"It's been a privilege to command 33 Engineer Regiment and I now relish the challenge in Afghanistan."

33 Engineer Regiment will be commanded by Lt Col Simon Bell and 101 Engineer Regiment by Lt Col Aiden Smyth.

Soldiers from 21 Field Squadron, which is part of 33 Engineer Regiment, will be deployed to Afghanistan over the next few days. They will help to clear Helmand of roadside bombs, making the area safe for British patrols and civilians.