6 September 2026
Since 2001, 16 Air Assault Brigade has been based in Colchester, building strong ties with the city and its communities. These links were celebrated in July 2026 at the dedication of the Colchester Airborne Soldier Statue, marking the Brigade’s long-standing presence in the city.
As the British Army’s Global Response Force, the Brigade is held at very high readiness to respond rapidly to crises worldwide. Its personnel are supported by a dedicated chaplaincy team.
The Revd Gavin Smith CF, Senior Chaplain to Brigade Headquarters, explains the role and ministry of the team:
“I lead chaplains who provide pastoral, spiritual and moral care to Brigade units. Most are based in Colchester, alongside Brigade Headquarters, Colchester Garrison, and the Military Correction and Training Centre, where service personnel undertake corrective training following periods of detention.
“Other Brigade locations include Woodbridge in Suffolk, Tern Hill in Shropshire, Shorncliffe in Kent and Brunei. A reservist unit has locations across England, Scotland and Wales. The team is also supported by an Officiating Chaplain to the Military, the Revd Kirsty Emerson, who serves in the Diocese of Chelmsford’s Harwich Team Ministry. She is chaplain to the Royal Military Police and other detachments in Colchester. The Diocese further showed its commitment to the military and veteran community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant in June 2026.
“The Royal Army Chaplains’ Department exists to care for the Army’s people and their families, offering pastoral, spiritual and moral support at home and overseas. This year, Brigade chaplains have deployed, or will deploy, to France, Kenya, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, the Netherlands and Germany for exercises and commemorations, including events linked to the Normandy landings and the Battle of Arnhem.
“We are working on how best to prepare the Brigade for the ethical, psychological and spiritual challenges of the modern battlefield. Chaplains currently lead Moral Resilience seminars, helping service personnel define virtues such as courage and loyalty so they are better equipped to make the right choice in difficult and arduous situations.”
For more information about the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department, email: ArmyCG-Chaplain-Recruiter@mod.gov.uk.
This article is taken from the latest edition of WePray.
