See pictures as Colchester Garrison holds annual Army showcase attended by thousands

Anthony Gabriel-Lovell, Kaleb Rooney, Private Evan Lucy and Corp Hickie Jones at the Colchester Garrison Show 2017. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (Image: Archant)

The 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show was held on Saturday, showcasing the equipment and skills of the British Army’s rapid reaction force.

The event on Abbey Field culminated in an explosive combat demonstration that saw 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment show how they would assault an enemy position.

The Red Devils – the Parachute Regiment’s freefall display team – dropped in and the White Helmets, the Royal Corps of Signals’ motorcycle team, gave two displays of stunt riding.

Lieutenant Colonel Ciaran Griffin, commander of Colchester Garrison, said: “Our aim was for the Army to showcase itself to the local community to say thank you for the fantastic support we receive, and I am delighted that we have achieved that. It’s been a great day, with thousands of people coming out to enjoy exciting and eventful activities with something for everyone, from military music to a breath-taking combat demonstration.

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. The regiment's motorcyle stunt team. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

“It’s important that we give people the opportunity to meet their soldiers and see their kit and capabilities, so that they better understand what the Army does.”

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. The garrison band. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

David Clayton with Private Zakkery Morgan at the Colchester Garrison Show 2017. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (Image: Archant)

Callum Pinnock with dad, Michael, and Privates Jake James and Ross Green at the Colchester Garrison Show 2017. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (Image: Archant)

Elliot Fitt at the Colchester Garrison Show 2017. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (Image: Archant)

Imogen Sanigar and Ben Bowes-Bellamy sit on an Apache helicopter at the Colchester Garrison Show 2017. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (Image: Archant)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. The regiment's motorcyle stunt team. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Band of the Parachute Regiment at the Colchester Garrison Show 2017. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (Image: Archant)

Erin Barnard with dad Kevin handling weapons at the Colchester Garrison Show 2017. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (Image: Archant)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Ralph Halliwell-Hughes with Corp Brown at the Colchester Garrison Show 2017. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (Image: Archant)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July.. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. The regiment's motorcyle stunt team. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)

Thousands of people enjoyed the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Sat 15 July. The regiment's motorcyle stunt team. Picture: CPL PETE BROWN (Image: Crown Copyright 2017)