Celebrating Armed Forces Day 2023
Every year, the UK celebrates Armed Forces Day on the last Saturday in June – a chance to show appreciation for the armed forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, service families, and cadets. This year, Armed Forces Day falls on Saturday 24th June 2023, with events taking place across the country to recognise the dedication and sacrifice of those who have served.
At Brimstone UXO, Armed Forces Day holds special significance. Many of our employees, including our Founder and Managing Director Aaron Florence, have served in the British Army, Royal Navy, or Royal Air Force. Their military experience plays a vital role in shaping the expertise and dedication we bring to UXO risk mitigation.
Our Armed Forces roots: from service to UXO risk mitigation
At Brimstone UXO, we are proud to recruit from the British Armed Forces, recognising the unique skills and experience that former service personnel bring to our industry.
Military expertise in UXO risk mitigation
Many of our explosives engineers joined Brimstone after leaving the military, bringing with them extensive Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training. Their experience in hazardous environments equips them with the skills needed to carry out UXO surveys, investigations and clearance operations with precision and professionalism.
The transferable skills they gained while serving, including discipline, problem-solving, and technical expertise, make them exceptionally suited for UXO detection and disposal work.
Brimstone’s leadership: military experience at the helm
Our company’s leadership is also deeply rooted in the armed forces:
- Aaron Florence, Managing Director – Served for 15 years in the British Army, reaching the rank of Captain.
- Jock Forde, Operations Manager – Served for 24 years, finishing his career as an SSGT EOD Instructor at the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Munitions and Search Training Regiment (DEMMS).
Their combined experience ensures that military precision, safety standards, and efficiency are at the core of everything we do at Brimstone.
Below you can see photos of the Brimstone team from their time serving in the armed forces.
Honouring the past: the stories behind our rig names
At Brimstone UXO, our CPT survey rigs carry names that pay tribute to Army captains, call signs, and military missions. Each name reflects the bravery, sacrifice, and camaraderie of the individuals and teams who served.
Honey Badger
Our newest rig, Honey Badger, is named after Captain Phil Nolan, a former Royal Engineer Search Advisor known for his fearless approach. During his service in Afghanistan, Phil specialised in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection.
Since leaving the forces, he has become an avid fundraiser, completing the Seven Summits challenge to raise money for The Soldiers’ Charity, supporting soldiers, veterans, and their families.
Handsome
The rig Handsome is named after Team Handsome, a group that served during Operation HERRICK 12, a UK-led mission focused on counter-IED operations and UXO disposal in Afghanistan.
The team was led by Sgt Scott Doherty (now SMI), a close friend of Aaron Florence. Sadly, Corporal KP, a member of the team, was killed in action. With the blessing of his family and former teammates, we named our first rig Handsome in his honour.
Red Fox
Red Fox is named after Team Red Fox 9, whose members—including Sgt Uzi Shaw (9 Para Sqn RE) and Cpl (now SMI) Ginge Hyams – carried out UXO disposal operations during Operation HERRICK.
Their work helped locate and neutralise hundreds of explosive devices, saving countless lives, including those of British and allied troops and local civilians.
Below are photos from teams Red Fox 9 and Handsome.
Supporting armed forces charities and organisations
At Brimstone UXO, we are committed to giving back to the armed forces community. We proudly support several charities and organisations dedicated to helping service personnel, veterans, and their families.
Royal Engineers Rugby Club (Sapper Rugby)
We are a proud sponsor of the Royal Engineers Rugby Club, also known as Sapper Rugby. The Sappers are one of the Army Rugby Union’s most successful Corps sides, competing in the Army Corps Division 1 Championship.
Through our sponsorship, we support the physical and mental well-being of service personnel and veterans through the sport they love.
Armed Forces Covenant
As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, Brimstone UXO has pledged to support the armed forces community by:
- Ensuring service members and their families have equal access to government and commercial services.
- Promoting fair treatment for veterans and reservists.
- Supporting the employment of ex-forces personnel.
By upholding the key principles of the covenant, we actively contribute to improving the lives of those who have served.
Armed Forces Day: recognising the contributions of our heroes
Armed Forces Day is not just about celebration – it is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by service personnel and to show gratitude for their unwavering commitment.
At Brimstone UXO, we are proud to have so many veterans and former service members on our team. Their skills, values, and dedication play a vital role in helping us deliver exceptional UXO risk mitigation services across the UK and beyond.
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