IT’S been said that an army marches on its stomach - and one soldier from Llandough who knows this more than most is Mark Vela!

The Territorial Army Staff Sergeant has been busy cooking up the hot meals needed to run Exercise Cambrian Patrol – an annual event which takes place over some of the most challenging terrain in mid-Wales.

The patrolling exercise, run by 160 (Wales) Brigade, is both physically and mentally demanding and is a highlight in the British Army’s training calendar.

Internationally, it is regarded as one of the toughest tests facing the modern-day soldier, and some foreign entrants have to claim the right to take part by winning through their own domestic challenge.

Mark, 42, who has completed a tour of Iraq, helped run the field kitchen which ensured the exercise ran smoothly over the last week.

This year’s exercise included 58 Regular Army, 31 Territorial Army and 15 international teams – 104 in total and a record number in the event’s 52-year history.

Teams were subjected to a thorough check to ensure they were in possession of the correct kit, equipment and clothing required for the exercise.

Team patrol commanders were then given a set of orders at an assembly area in a woodland holding location near a tiny village called Garth, about six miles west of Builth Wells.

Following the briefing, teams were transported by road to a rendezvous point to begin the two-day test.

The exercise was split into seven phases and the teams, some with female soldiers, then had to march a mind-and-muscle sapping 55km carrying full personal kit and equipment, weighing in at some 60lbs, on a two-day patrolling mission.

Navigating by day and night, the patrols faced testing and specialist challenges, including observation and reconnaissance of enemy forces, cold river crossings in full kit without access to boats, first-aid and defensive shooting under attack.

At the completion of their patrol, each team faced a comprehensive debriefing session.

Military skills, stamina and dedication were constantly evaluated during the patrol and marked with a system of points.

Teams that successfully completed their patrol were awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal or certificate of merit, depending on the number of points gained.

Mark, a mortgage adviser who works for Mortgage Solutions Wales, serves with the Welsh Transport Regiment as the squadron quartermaster.

Over the course of nine days, Mark ensured the assembly area’s field kitchen provided three hot meals a day to keep things ticking over as assessors checked the teams, assessed them and filed them through to the patrol’s start point.

"This was my first experience of being involved in Cambrian Patrol and it’s been a lot of hard work," he said.

"The toughest part has been working the long hours, managing expectations and delivering three meals a day.

"While we’ve been in this part of Wales we’ve had to locate and source rations and top up on water supplies from places such as the fire station in Builth Wells.

"I’ve really enjoyed the job, making sure the lads are fed on time," he added.

"That’s satisfaction enough and a job well done."