Combat and survival january 2014 by Sudden

Website: www.combatandsurvival.com

Editor: Bob Morrison Designer: Emily Bedford Senior Correspondents: Carl Schulze & Yves Debay (R.I.P) Firearms Tester: Greg Roberts Gear Tester: Mike Gormley Security Consultant: Robert Shaw Editors Assistant: Jitka Cajova Webmaster: Daryl Crowther Advertisement Sales Director: Moira Spencer Tel: 01484 435011 Email: moira@maionline.co.uk Distributed by Warners Group Publications PLC The Maltings, West Street, Bourne PE10 9PH Print by Acorn Colourprint Ltd: Loscoe Close, Normanton, WF6 1TW

P16 Humanitarian Assistance 1 OP DAMAYAN

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The initial American effort to assist the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan

P20 British Forces ROYAL NAVY RFTG

Bob Morrison visits the Response Force Task Group deployed off Albania on COUGAR '13

P26 UK Equipment File LCVP

Bob Morrison reports on the ubiquitous yet seldom covered Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel

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Advertising: moira@maionline.co.uk Editorial: combatandsurvival@hotmail.com

P31 UK Forces News COMMANDO CALFEX

©Copyright here and abroad of all material is held by the publishers. No reproduction is permitted whatsoever without prior consent in writing.

P37 Frontline Kit PRCR TEAM EQUIPMENT

IMPORTANT: All individual combat and personal survival activities involve risk of injury to oneself and others and great care must be taken carrying out any such activities. Expert guidance should be sought and equipment checked for reliability before any activities described here in are carried out. The publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any injury, death, loss or damage which may result.

PO Sean Clee photographs 40 Commando in the Mojave Desert on BLACK ALLIGATOR '13

Carl Schulze photographs the specialist gear and weapons carried by the German elite

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ARTICLES AND PHOTOGRAPHS will be welcomed and considered for publication. Submission of such shall be considered a warranty that they are original and do not infringe on the copyright of others. Unsuitable material can only be returned if you include a S.A.E. Loss or damage is not the responsibility of COMBAT & SURVIVAL.

P42 Elite Forces WAR KAYAKS

Richard Lucas looks at the use of two-man kayaks - with photos of the French Foreign Legion

P48 Firearms THE EUROPEANS

Greg Roberts reports from Barcelos on the recent IPSC European Handgun Championships

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P59 Security UNDERSTANDING & PRIVACY

DISCLAIMER: The publishers make no representations, endorsements, guarantees or warranties concerning the products and/or services advertised within this magazine. We expressly disclaim any and all liability relating to or arising from the sale, manufacture, distribution, use or misuse of such.

Robert Shaw ponders over issues raised by a recent high profile escape from police surveillance

P62 Gormley’s Gear TRIED & TESTED

Mike Gormley trials a T-shirt, torches, a drinks bottle and a fabric boot care treatment P48

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P66 Humanitarian Assistance 2 OP PATWIN

The initial British effort to assist the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan P66

P05: Comms P56 & 70: Reviews

Jan 14 Cover Image: Crown Copyright: PO Sean Clee & © Bob Morrison © M.A.I. Publications 2013

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22nd November: HMS Illustrious departs Singapore for the Philippines on Operation PATWIN with over 500 tons of disaster relief aid loaded into the hangar by the crew and the embarked forces, including J Company 42 Commando RM and the carrier air group [Crown Copyright: L(Phot) Nicky Wilson] To paraphrase that old 1935 Irvin Berlin number from the musical Top Hat, sung by Fred Astaire to Ginger Rodgers: Heaven, I'm in Devon...

bout a year into my editorship of this magazine I decided to undertake a degree in Media Production, specialising in digital imaging, to ensure that C&S was right up there on the crest of the new technology wave. In due course we became one of the first UK newsstand magazines to fully embrace digital production techniques, so the trip was worth it, even though it would take me another twelve years to save up enough for my bus fare back to my adopted home in the glorious South-west just over a couple of hills from Woodbury Common and the home of Commando training at CTCRM Lympstone. It's good to be back.

The Royal Air Force may no longer be interested in engaging with the media (if I had known a bit further in advance that they were going to drop media invitations to their Engagement Day at Waddington in early November I'd have organised the big move to Devon a couple of weeks earlier) and although the spin doctors responsible for promoting the British Army seems to have forgotten that the specialist media exists, at least the Royal Marines are pro-active in providing C&S with images of what the lads are up to. In this issue, in addition to my report on the Response Force Task Group in Albania, we have some great images of 40 Commando out in the Mojave Desert, supplied by the Corps' top photographer Petty Officer Sean Clee.

It had also been our intention to run a feature on 42 Commando, specifically our old friends in Juliet Company who Carl worked with on their last Afghan tour, but as we are hampered by Crown Copyright time limitations, which only give us one month's licence to use images, plus Crown photos from Operation PATWIN are similarly time constrained, we have had to put Four Two and their Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) on hold until next month. As I pen this column, Juliet Company aboard HMS Illustrious are believed to be less than 48 hours away from the Philippines, having been diverted from counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa to boost UK manpower on the ground for the massive international humanitarian assistance operation. That RFTG training package in Albania in September is bound to pay dividends as the military intervenes to help those typhoon-lashed islands on the other side of the world. Tomorrow is one of those rare occasions that I have to put on collar and tie to venture into the big city, as I am one of the sixstrong team (including my predecessor in this chair, Tim Ripley) of Independent Defence Media Association journalists and photographers meeting the new Director Media & Communications (DMC) at Main Building in Whitehall to explain what we do and are trying to achieve. I sincerely hope the meeting is productive and the current log jam preventing us doing our job and bringing you guys the stories you want to hear is unblocked. I always did have an optimistic streak. While I am sitting in a nice warm office in Whitehall, Carl will be freezing his nuts off in Northern Afghanistan. I have lost track of just how many trips he has made there for

C&S, but it must be around fifteen and he has probably spent more time in-theatre than most troops with two six-month Afghan tours under their belt. While he is away, in this issue we are running another of his excellent features on elite German units and their specialist equipment (it is also the Germans who are hosting his latest Afghan assignment, as unlike UK MoD they welcome our coverage). See pages 9 and 37. We also have the start of a feature on war kayaks by France-based American-born Richard Lucas, illustrated with images of elite French troops including the Foreign Legion. Richard has also put a couple of features on Franco-Italian amphibious training and the new US Marine Corps SPMAGTF Crisis Response formation into the pipeline. Richard was a good friend of our late Senior Correspondent Yves Debay, assassinated in Syria last January, and he is doing his best to plug the very big gap left by Yves' untimely passing. Both the French MoD and the US DoD are also happy to have C&S cover their forces without hindrance, so if there is no change UK MoD policy at least we should be able to continue to provide readers with plenty of Allied Forces coverage in the future; even though that topic came a poor third to UK Forces and UK Equipment in our recent Reader Survey. Sadly, on 5th November Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Ian Fisher from 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) was killed in in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province when his vehicle was subjected to a vehicle-borne suicide attack. C&S wishes to extend our sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues - BM

Combat & Survival

Like ghosts the members of the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team appear out of the clouds of dust caused by the down-wash of the rotor blades of the CH-53GS during landing

Combat & Survival

IN THE MILITARY WORLD THE TERM PERSONNEL RECOVERY COVERS ALL MILITARY, DIPLOMATIC AND CIVIL ACTIONS REQUIRED TO REPATRIATE ISOLATED AND ENDANGERED INDIVIDUALS. THE MAIN AIM OF A PERSONNEL RECOVERY OPERATION IS TO EXTRACT THE PERSON IN QUESTION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE FROM THE HOSTILE AREA. BY DOING SO, SPEEDY MEDICAL TREATMENT CAN BE APPLIED, IF NECESSARY, AND THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE SPARED BECOMING A PRISONER, BEING USED AS A HOSTAGE, BEING USED FOR PROPAGANDA PURPOSES OR BEING INTERROGATED TO GLEAN INTELLIGENCE. FROM THE MILITARY POINT OF VIEW PERSONNEL RECOVERY OPERATIONS AIMED AT REPATRIATING OWN PERSONNEL TRAPPED BEHIND ENEMY LINES HAVE A VERY HIGH PRIORITY. IN THE AREA OF OPERATIONS OF THE REGIONAL COMMAND NORTH OF ISAF IN AFGHANISTAN, THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONDUCTING PERSONNEL RECOVERY OPERATIONS LIES WITH THE PERSONNEL RECOVERY COMBAT RESCUE TEAM OF THE BASE COMMAND MAZAR-ESHARIF, WHICH IS PROVIDED BY THE GERMAN BUNDESWEHR IS. IN JULY 2013 C&S VISITED THE TEAM TO RESEARCH THEIR OPERATIONS FIRSTHAND.

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Above: Unofficial logo of the PRCR Team - in addition to the abbreviation PR for Personnel Recovery it features the helmet of a Greek Hoplite warrior Main Image: Within seconds of touchdown the medics get to work - one checks the vital functions and conducts a body check to find any more injuries as the other begins to deal with the left leg open fracture 1: While the helicopter is turning & burning on the ground those not dealing with the casualty form a defensive perimeter

11TH JULY, 2013, 16:37 HOURS: At low level and at high speed the CH-53GS medium transport helicopter of the German Heeresflieger (army air corps) approaches the crash site of the F-16 aircraft just to the east of Camp Marmal in northern Afghanistan. Another CH53GS is circling above the crash site. This second helicopter is fitted with two 7.62mm M3 machineguns and a 12.7mm M3M heavy machine gun and its crew provides cover for the approaching rescue aircraft.

now has become just a dark silhouette that has nearly disappeared in a large cloud of ochre dust while slowly sinking to the ground.

The downwash of the rotor blades of the landing CH-53GS throws dust, sand, dry grass and small stones high up into the air. While only seconds ago the helicopter was clearly visible against the clear blue Afghan sky, it

Things now move fast, the troops have trained for this type of mission countless times. The helicopter has dropped them only about 80 metres from their objective, the pilot of the downed F-16 fighter aircraft. After

Suddenly the silhouette is totally gone and the helicopter is engulfed in the dust cloud that even darkens the sun. Then ghost-like shadows appear through the wall of swirling dust. When they come nearer they can be identified as soldiers of the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team of RC North.

technical issues he had lost control of his aircraft and had to use the ejector seat. His actions had been monitored by his wingman, the pilot of a second F-16, and after being on the ground the pilot of the crashed aircraft had dispatched an emergency call containing his exact position via his AN/PRC-112 emergency radio. In response the Personnel Recovery Coordination Cell (PRCC) of the Combined Joint Operations Centre of RC North of ISAF had ordered the deployment of the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Task Force. On their way from their helicopter to the pilot, who is obviously injured and lies on the ground, the members of the PRCR Team split up. The bulk of them take up covering positions quite a distance away from the pilot, their task being to provide security for the HLS (helicopter landing site) and the other team members. The two combat medics of the team, as well as the team leader, rush to the injured pilot. At the same moment the CH53GS takes off in order not to become an easy target for any insurgents that might be in the area.

16:41 HOURS: Covered by the team leader the two combat medics quickly conduct an identity check, clarifying that the wounded person on the ground definitely is the missing F-16 pilot. To do this they use a special authentication method which has the pilot answer a couple of simple questions. In addition to questions about his name, rank and his identification number he might, for example, also be asked for the colour, make and model of his first car or his mother's first name. Prior to the deployment of any ISAF soldier or

airman some additional personal data is recorded for just such purposes.

16:43 HOURS: The authentication is positive and the person on the ground is indeed the pilot of the crashed F-16. Despite being conscious, the pilot needs immediate medical treatment as his lower left leg shows evidence of an open fracture. While one of the combat medics of the PRCR Team checks his vital functions and conducts an in-depth body check looking for additional injuries, his comrade immediately goes to work dealing with the fracture. As the injured pilot cannot walk and can only be transported on a stretcher, another team member who carries a Griffin Folding Stretcher on his back is called in. Directly after reaching the

2: Meanwhile, the medics of the PRCR Team are at work - the bleeding is stopped with a tourniquet and the leg secured with a flexible splint 3: For this training exercise one of the PRCR Team played the part of the F16 pilot - he activated a green smoke grenade to mark his position for the helicopter pilots

medics he starts unfolding the stretcher. In the meantime the PRCR team leader has radioed a situational report to the helicopters circling over the scene and is informed that the MEDEVAC helicopter of the pair will come in to pick up the wounded pilot in three minutes.

16:47 HOURS: Again the scenery is covered in clouds of swirling dust when the MEDEVAC CH-53GS touches down. By now the wounded pilot has been prepared for his evacuation and placed on the folding stretcher. The medics, assisted by two other team members, lift the stretcher together and rush straight into the duststorm created by the landing helicopter, heading for the rear ramp of the aircraft. On arrival the stretcher is taken over by the

Combat & Survival

Main Image: While the MEDEVAC helicopter picks up the wounded F-16 pilot the second CH53-GS circles above the helicopter landing site providing cover medical personnel on board and only seconds later, after the PRCR Team members have cleared the rotor disc area of the CH-53GS, the huge helicopter takes off again.

16:52 HOURS: After the MEDEVAC helicopter has taken off the members of the PRCR Team gather at the helicopter landing site awaiting their own extraction. Still the soldiers cover all arcs, ready to repulse any possible insurgent attack, knowing that they are quite vulnerable during this phase of the operation. Then the second CH53GS touches down only 25 metres away from them. As previously, the whole area again becomes a storm of swirling dust, dry grass and sand. When the loadmaster of the aircraft gives the thumbs-up the team members rush to the aircraft. Only seconds after the last of them is on board the helicopter takes off again. In total the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team was on the ground for only 15 minutes. During this time the PRCR Team members secured an HLS, identified the target individual and verified his identity, applied first aid, organised the evacuation with the MEDEVAC helicopter and afterwards were

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extracted themselves by the second helicopter. While the described mission conducted in July 2013 in the northern foothills of the Hindu Kush was only an in-theatre refresher exercise, for the soldiers of the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team of the Objekt schutz gruppe (base security group) of Base Command Mazar-e-Sharif it could well become reality anytime.

30 MINUTES NOTICE TO MOVE Stationed at Camp Marmal near Mazare-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team of the base security group is on call to move at a 30 minutes readiness, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Those 30 minutes are required by the team members to reach their ready room at the base airfield, prepare their kit and put it on; though in reality they aim to be ready much faster. In addition the team is briefed on its upcoming mission and orders are issued during this time. Core mission of the PRCR Team is to conduct Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) or Combat Rescue (CR) missions within the area of responsibility of RC North in order to rescue the crews and passengers of downed aircraft. The area of

4: With the casualty stabilised the combat medics await the re-arrival of the MEDEVAC CH53GS helicopter the aim is to get in and out with the casualty as fast as possible 5: The downed pilot is carried to the CH-53GS MEDEVAC helicopter on a Griffin folding stretcher by the members of the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team 6: On the security perimeter a PRCR Team member armed with a 7.62mm G3A3ZF designated marksmen rifle scans the surrounding area for signs of enemy activity as the helo lands

responsibility of RC North covers 160,000 square kilometers and includes large areas of mountainous and Alpine terrain. Another possible mission of the PRCR Team is to evacuate US, ISAF and NATO personnel, as well as members of the Afghan Security Forces and Afghan VIPs, from danger zones, for example when their vehicles are unserviceable due to technical issues or after an IED strike. During MEDEVAC operations the PRCR Team can be employed as an additional security asset in order to support the ground forces on site. In case of mass casualty scenarios, such as terrorist attacks or serious accidents, the PRCR Team can be deployed as an advance force in order to conduct on-site reconnaissance, provide a situation report for higher commands, provide onsite security, administer first aid to casualties and give support by organising the employment of follow-on forces. Locating and recovering lost UAVs is also part of the mission of the PRCR Team. In extreme circumstances the PRCR Team can also support the personnel of the United Nation Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Finally the PRCR Team can be employed on command of the HQ RC North as an airmobile Quick Reaction Unit.

The team's sniper's G3A3ZF designated marksman rifle is fitted with a 4x24 sniper scope and an RSA-S reflex sight 8

PERSONNEL RECOVERY TASK FORCE The Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team is employed as part of the Personnel Recovery Task Force, which in addition to the team that serves as an extraction force also includes a mission-tailored aviation asset. The composition of this aviation asset can vary drastically and is based on the type of task and the threat level that might be encountered during the mission.

At the core of the aviation asset are transport helicopters, which are

required for the deployment of the PRCR Team and the extraction of the target individuals. In the case of RC North this could be either CH-53GS medium transport helicopters of the German Heeresflieger or UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters and CH-47F heavy lift transport helicopters of the US Army. The aviation asset can also include dedicated MEDEVAC helicopters; within RC North this might be NH90 FAM (Forward Air MEDEVAC) helicopters of the German Heeresflieger or UH-60A+ MEDEVAC of the US Army. For reconnaissance purposes the air asset can also involve UAVs such as the Heron 1 of the German Einsatz geschwader at Mazar-e-Sharif or the MQ-1 Predator of the US Armed Forces. KHS Tiger combat helicopters of the German Heeresflieger and AH64D Apache helicopters of the US Army can be employed to escort the transport helicopters and provide close air support for the PRCR Team. Additional air support can be provided in the form of a Rescue Combat Air Patrol (RESCAP), for example consisting of F-16 Fighting Falcon MLU combat aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

7: Like other German troops deployed to Afghanistan the PRCR Team wear WĂźStentarn 3-colour camouflage uniform but their tactical equipment is mainly produced by Lindnerhof Taktik GmbH

The decision to employ the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team is made by the Personnel Recovery Coordination Cell (PRCC) of the Combined Joint Operations Center (CJOC) of the Regional Command North, which is constantly tracking all activities taking place in its Area of Operations. The PRCC of the CJOC also decides what type of air assets are employed with the Personnel Recovery Task Force and who will be in charge during the operation.

8: The team's PERSONNEL RECOVERY COMBAT machine-gunner is RESCUE TEAM armed with the 5.56x45mm MG4 light During the visit by C&S the troops for the Personnel Recovery Combat machinegun - here the weapon is fitted Rescue Team at Mazar-e-Sharif was with an RSA-S reflex provided by the 1 Staffel of 1 Bataillon of the Objekt schutz regiment der sight and a Laser Luftwaffe 'Friesland' normally based at Light Module 01 9: The team leader is armed with a 5.56x45mm G36K A2 carbine fitted with an EoTech Holographic Sight- the second weapon he carries in this picture is the F16 pilot's G36A2 assault rifle

Schortens in Germany. This regiment has almost the same tasks as Britain's RAF Regiment and currently consists of four battalions with four to five squadrons each. In addition to infantry assets the regiment includes NBC protection, air defence, engineer and fire fighting assets. The PRCR Team numbers eight soldiers and consists of the team leader, one radio operator, one sniper, one

Combat & Survival

After the casualty has been extracted by the first aircraft the PRCR Team has assembled at the helicopter landing site for its own extraction

machinegunner, two medics (one of who also is the 2IC of the team), a rifleman and a grenadier. Dependent on the mission, the team can be reinforced with a two-strong Rescue Equipment Team that is equipped with specialist rescue tools. If necessary the PRCR Team can be beefed up to platoon strength by placing additional infantry assets of the base security group under its command, and it is also possible to reinforce the PRCR Team with sniper teams. In cases where the upcoming mission has to be conducted in an area with a high mine and/or IED threat, or if the team is responding to an IED incident, it can be reinforced by an EOD Team also available within the base security group. For operations in mountainous and alpine terrain the PRCR Team can be supported by a Heeres berg führer trupp (mountain and arctic warfare leader team). However, reinforcing the team with additional infantry assets, sniper teams, an EOD Team or a mountain leader team would affect the notice to move time of the PRCR Team, and this could mean it would take more time for the team to become fully operational.

FUTURE OF PRCR TEAMS IN THE BUNDESWEHR Within the German Bundeswehr the German Air Force, the Luftwaffe, is given the task of conducting Personnel Recovery Operations such as Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Combat Rescue (CR) or Search and Rescue (SAR). However, development of this capability is still in progress and much

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has to be done before a combat ready status can be achieved. Unfortunately first setbacks have also been encountered, as the procurement programme for a special CSAR Mission Kit for the NH90 utility helicopter was cancelled in 2008. Therefore CH-53GS medium transport helicopters of the Heereflieger army air corps are currently used for Personnel Recovery Operations. Just recently CH-53GS earmarked for personnel recovery have been fitted with a Mission Tactical Workstation, a Personnel Locator System, and a Geo Reference System in order to compensate for the lack of a special CSAR helicopter. In the near future the CH-53G and CH-53GS medium transport helicopters will be transferred from the army air corps to the German Luftwaffe. While controversial, this move will allow the Luftwaffe to operate a suitable helicopter for Personnel Recovery Operations. The Luftwaffe currently does not have any ground assets specially earmarked for Personnel Recovery Operations; at present personnel with suitable training to man the base security group PRCR Team at Mazar-e-Sharif is drawn together from the ranks of the 'Friesland' Regiment prior to the deployment. Team integration training is then conducted before leaving for Afghanistan. Once this is completed they are deployed for a five month tour before being replaced by the next team. In the future this will also change; currently it is planned to establish at least two Personnel

10: Back aboard the helo - the members of the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team are equipped with the Gefechtshelm für SpezialkräFte or light combat helmet for Special Forces 11: Although the CH-53GS is a medium transport helicopter for ops in Afghanistan it is fitted with two 7.62x51mm MG3 machineguns and a 12.7x99mm M3M heavy machinegun

12: Operations conducted by the PRCR Teams follow a set plan - first the casualty’s position is identified, then they are assisted as best as possible at the location, and finally they are extracted by the Personnel Recovery Task Force

Recovery Combat Rescue Sections within the 'Friesland' Regiment, whose core mission will be to conduct Personnel Recovery Operations.

Images © Carl Schulze

Footnote: Some complex German terms have been broken down for easier reading.

For PRCR Team weapons and equipment turn to Page 37 of this issue.

November 15th: At Guiuan civilians exit an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 after being airlifted from an area affected by Typhoon Haiyan [US Navy: Liam Kennedy]

On 7th November the eye of Typhoon Haiyan, which originated as a cyclone in the Micronesia region of the Pacific five days earlier, made landfall at Guinan on the eastern side of the Philippines wreaking massive devastation and destruction. With sustained surface winds estimated at nearly 200mph (around 315km/hr) just before landfall, Haiyan was classed as a Super Typhoon and was believed to be both the second deadliest Philippines storm on record and thought to be the fourth most intense cyclone ever observed. Such was the ferocity of the storm that the Philippines Government was thrown totally off balance and civil assistance was slow to commence.

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ith over four thousand deaths and more than ten million people badly affected, many of whom were left homeless, the international community sprang into action by despatching both Non-Governmental Organisation and Aid Agency personnel plus military assets into the region within days. The United States, which has both permanently based units and pre-positioned naval/amphibious forces in that part of the Pacific Rim region, launched Operation DAMAYAN (said to translate from Filipino as MUTUAL HELP) with the oceanographic survey ship USNS Bowditch being first on the scene to ensure safe sea lanes for the USS George Washington Strike Group to deploy elements of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and this was followed up by the activation of Task

November 14th: An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Island Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 drops supplies onto Tacloban Air Base in support of Operation DAMAYAN [US Navy: Ricardo R. Guzman] November 14th: MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 from the George Washington Carrier Strike Group load aid supplies [US Navy: Ricardo R. Guzman]

November 15th: An HC-130 Hercules from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 supporting 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade takes off from Guiuan in Eastern Samar to airlift civilians to a safer location [US Navy: Liam Kennedy] 1

November 13th: The commander of the US Pacific Fleet directed the activation of USNS Mercy to prepare the hospital ship, berthed in San Diego, for possible deployment to the Philippines [US Navy: Michael Feddersen ]

Force 505 on 18th November. On 11th November Washington announced that about 90 US Marines and sailors were already on the ground in the Philippines, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster support and the US Defense Secretary had already

1: November 15th: Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) move a pallet of fresh drinking water across the flight deck for delivery ashore by Sea Knight helicopter [US Navy: Paoplo Bayass]

directed US Pacific Command to provide manpower and assets at the request of the Philippines government. The first of these were believed to be members of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade who deployed on the 10th from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Japan, aboard two KC-130J Hercules aircraft from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and a forward command element and humanitarian assistance survey team also deployed from Okinawa to provide an initial assessment on the support required.

2: November 15th: Displaced Filipino and other international personnel prepare for take-off inside the first 535th Air Lift Squadron US C-17 Globemaster III flight At time of writing (21st November) Op DAMAYAN has already swelled on their way to Manila out of Tacloban Air Field massively. [US Air Force: Jonathan Wright]

Combat & Survival

Exercise ALBANIAN LION '13 was the first major phase of the latest UK Response Force Task Group (RFTG) deployment, codenamed COUGAR '13. It gave both the participating Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary assets a chance to train together in the amphibious operations role, as well as allowing 42 Commando (the current Lead Commando Group) the means to launch several raids and a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) on superb training areas in an unfamiliar environment. C&S joined the RFTG for its Distinguished Visitors Day, held off the city of VlorĂŤ, to photograph the naval and helicopter elements and to collect the following briefing notes for our readers.

he 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) concluded that: "UK Forces should have the ability to deploy highly capable assets quickly when we need to, but also to prepare a greater scale and range of capabilities if required". The formation of the current RFTG concept was the result. The Task Group is now the UK's scalable, very high readiness

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Main Image: A Landing Craft Utility (left) and Mexeflote (centre) off Pasha Liman naval base during the back-load of the LCG onto the ships of the RFTG - note RAF Merlin circling in the background 1: The helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious at anchor - note RN Lynx on the flight deck at the stern - at time of writing 'Lusty' is speeding from the Horn of Africa to the Philippines

2: An LCU (left) heads for the well deck of RFA Lyme Bay which is anchored with her stern flooded - RFA Mounts Bay can also be seen to the right 3: Fleet flagship HMS Bulwark also sits low as her well deck is flooded but her stern ramp is partially raised - HMS Illustrious, with three AAC Lynxes on her flight deck, is to the right Images ÂŠ Bob Morrison: Military Scene

maritime force capable of responding, with a range of capabilities, to crises and world events. Under control of an unique combination of two Headquarters, who specialise in sea and land missions, it provides the capability to plan and execute the full range of maritime and amphibious operations around the globe. Elements of the RFTG may be forward deployed on other tasks whilst remaining at readiness for contingent activity. The RFTG offers mobility, versatility and interoperability because it is:• A Very High Readiness Force. The Task Group is able to deploy ships, submarines, aircraft and manpower 365 days a year; this includes units forward deployed around the world on other tasks, which can quickly manoeuvre to wherever they are needed; a Lead Commando Group kept at very short notice to move; and a fully constituted command team (HQ afloat). • A Credible Intervention Force. The Task Group is currently based around the Lead Commando Group, which is a force of up to 1800 personnel drawn from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, who can go ashore using the helicopters and landing craft of the RFTG. The Task Group also has a potent strike capability based around submarinelaunched precision Tomahawk land attack missiles, Apache attack helicopters, and Naval medium calibre guns. This capability can operate without restriction on the high seas, to around 12 nautical miles of any of the world's 147 coastal states. It also allows the UK to act wherever it is in her strategic interest to do so. Upon introduction of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier/s (estimated operational capability 2020) or when

Main image: HMS Bulwark photographed from the deck of HMS Illustrious - the flagship is an amphibious assault ship which carries eight landing craft and over 400 Royal Marines 4: RFA Lyme Bay is one of the three Bay Class landing ship dock fleet which can each accommodate over 350 troops (double that number in war conditions) and carry two dozen Challenger 2 tanks

5: The well deck at the stern can be flooded (as here) to allow either a Landing Craft Utility or two Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel to be docked - see image 10 on page 28 6: MV Hurst Point is one of six Point Class roll-on/rolloff sealift ships used by the MoD as Naval Auxiliary vessels in support of maritime and amphibious operations

working closely with French and American allies, a fixed wing air capability adds another potent capability to the Group, giving an increase in both offensive and defensive options.

• An Integrated Force. With ships, submarines, aircraft and Commandos

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the Task Group has the ability to command maritime and landing forces in order to conduct joint action including : Fire Support (precision missiles, naval gunfire and air), Information Activities (such as intelligence and influence), Manoeuvre (up to 300 miles in 24 hours), and Outreach (to enhance political aims and regional stability). All of this being conducted at or from the sea through the delivery of land effect by the Lead Commando Group and/or maritime-based aviation. In addition, the Group is capable of conducting the full range of sea control, sea denial and maritime security operations such as mine clearance, humanitarian intervention or Non-Combatant Evacuations. â&#x20AC;˘ A Deployed Force: The Task Group is able to provide persistent presence in those regions where the UK has interests and respond swiftly to crises. Deployed tankers and store supply ships of the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) can sustain both at sea and ashore for prolonged periods. All of this is achieved with minimal footprint on land and at marginal operating costs.

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Main Image: The Point Class vessels can transport 14,000 tonnes of cargo including almost 200 armoured vehicles and trucks at 21.5 knots to a range of over 9,000 nautical miles (17,000km) 7: A brace of Landing Craft Utility - each one can carry a Challenger 2 main battle tank or several Viking allterrain armoured vehicles or Land Rovers and Pinzgauers 8: Two MK10 LCUs, with Amphibious Beach Unit vehicles aboard, photographed from the flight deck of HMS Illustrious - four are carried by HMS Bulwark 9: Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) - see page 26 for more

â&#x20AC;˘ An Adaptable Force: The Task Group is able to operate as a single entity, or in any combination of smaller units, and as a UK Force integrating the Army and Royal Air Force as well as other government agency elements (e.g. Foreign & Commonwealth Office personnel, as seen during Exercise ALBANIAN LION on the NEO phase). Operating with allies and partners it can, by including elements of their forces (e.g. Dutch Marines, as on ALBANIAN LION), become a Multinational Task Group. Alternatively, the RFTG can itself be incorporated into a larger Multinational Expeditionary Force. â&#x20AC;˘ A Flexible Force: The Task Group is able to simultaneously deliver a wide range of effects, including: deterring adversaries; conducting maritime security

Main Image: The Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC) is the amphibious equivalent of the Supacat M-WMIK Jackal - crewed by up to seven Commandos this version bristles with 7.62mm and 12.7mm machineguns

10: The Distinguished Visitors Day flypast included AAC AH Mk.7 Lynx helicopters ... 11: ... RAF Merlin support helicopters carrying Commando 105mm Light Guns ... 12: ... and a brace of RAF Hawk T1 aircraft flying out of Tirana Combat & Survival

The three Lynxes aboard HMS Illustrious are now tasked to humanitarian assistance duties on Operation PATWIN

13: Albanian President Bujar Nishani (centre) was the most distinguished visitor of the day to HMS Illustrious

operations; conducting defence engagement and reassurance of allies; capacity building and stabilisation in the vicinity of fragile states and; support to Special Forces.

14: Flight deck of HMS Illustrious, an Invincible Class carrier, was designed to operate the now demobbed Sea Harrier - she is due to be withdrawn from service in 2014 leaving a capability gap

In the last two issues Petty Officer Sean Clee, 3 Commando Brigade's award-winning photographer and current Peregrine Trophy holder (who also captured 40 Commando on BLACK ALLIGATOR '13 in California for this issue), brought us images of 42 Commando raiding the Sazan Island and Porto Palermo facilities at the start of ALBANIAN LION '13. While Sean was capturing the action at Porto Palermo, the day before Distinguished Visitors Day, yours truly was covering the NEO at Kuçovë Airbase. See next month for this phase of the exercise.

15: An Albanian Navy fast patrol craft of the type which worked alongside the Response Force Task Group on manoeuvres off Vlorë 15

24 Combat & Survival

SINCE WORLD WAR II THE TROOP-CARRYING LANDING CRAFT HAS BEEN UBIQUITOUS ON AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS AND ALTHOUGH THE VESSEL USED TODAY BY THE ROYAL MARINES, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT THE ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS, IS A LITTLE LARGER AND MUCH MORE POWERFUL THAN THE ORIGINALS ITS ROLE AND ROOTS CAN BE TRACED ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE THORNYCROFT ASSAULT LANDING CRAFT (LATER DESIGNATED LANDING CRAFT ASSAULT) OF 1938 AND THE SIMILAR US LANDING CRAFT PERSONNEL (RAMPED) OF 1941. BOTH THE BRITISH LCA AND THE AMERICAN LCP(R) COULD CARRY A FULLY EQUIPPED INFANTRY PLATOON OF UP TO THREE DOZEN TROOPS, AND IN DUE COURSE THE BOW RAMP WAS WIDENED TO ALLOW A WILLYS JEEP, WITH TRAILER AND CREW TO BE TRANSPORTED; THIS VERSION BEING DESIGNATED LANDING CRAFT VEHICLE PERSONNEL OR LCVP AND SEEING EXTENSIVE SERVICE IN EUROPE FROM D-DAY ONWARDS AND THROUGHOUT THE US PACIFIC CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE JAPANESE.

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Main Image: LCVP Mk.5 at speed off Cyprus in 2009 note sloping wheelhouse sides and triangular mast frame 1: HMS Ocean carries four LCVP Mk.5 on davits in pairs down each side Images Â© BOB MORRISON: Military Scene

n the sixties the Royal Navy introduced the LCVP Mk.2 and it was this vessel which was used extensively in the Falklands Campaign of 1982, featuring heavily in newsreels of the day. When introduced it could transport two of the new 88" Airportable (aka Lightweight) Land Rovers at a push, but a more normal vehicle load was a single Land Rover plus trailer. The Mk.2, of which the most famous is probably Foxtrot 7 from HMS Fearless which is preserved at the Royal Marines Museum at Eastney, can be differentiated from later models by its small rectangular and windowless

wheelhouse on the starboard side at the rear and its slab sides. After the Falklands the LCVP Mk.4 was introduced to replace the ageing Mk.2 fleet and in addition to being more powerful, these vessels were slightly widened to allow the new On-Ten version of the Land Rover (which had a wider wheel track) to be transported. Primarily used by the Royal Marines, the LCVP Mk.4 also served with the Royal Logistic Corps and we were fortunate in capturing one of these rare beasts, complete with a Defender 110 HS (Wolf) Land Rover aboard, on

4 5

2: Rare shot of an RLC LCVP Mk.4 with Defender 110 HS (Wolf) Land Rover aboard 3: Mk.4 from the rear - note the slightly smaller wheelhouse and flat topped tubular frame over 4: Cyprus again, NM seen during TAURUS '09 - the bow ramp allows rapid access and egress 5: Callsign NM seen from the other side - the removable fibreglass roof has six sections 6: High level view from the aft starboard - note the rear hatch in the roof over the crew compartment 7: As with the previous shot, this Mk.5 was photographed during ALBANIAN LION '13 in September Combat & Survival

camera during an exercise on Browndown Beach in October 2003. The identifying features of the Mk.4 are the pairs of vertical reinforcements between the gunwale and the two horizontal(ish) reinforcing box sections on the outer hull and the vertical sided central wheelhouse with glazing situated near the stern. The tubular frame over the wheelhouse, above which the navigation lights and short mast are mounted, is flat topped. The present generation of British LCVP is the Mk.5, introduced in the midnineties, which can carry up to 35 fully equipped troops, two short wheelbase Defender 90 HS Land Rovers, or one long wheelbase Defender 110 HS with trailer. Regularly used by 3 Commando Brigade in Norway for NATO Northern Flank deployments, for cold weather protection the aluminium hulled Mk.5 is usually fitted with retractable fibreglass roof sections over the troop / vehicle deck which can be speedily nested at the rear if a vehicle or cargo load is being carried instead of personnel. The Mk.5 has less obvious side stiffening ribs than the Mk.4 and its aft wheelhouse, which is bigger than on previous versions, has sides which slope upwards and outwards plus the tubular frame above the wheelhouse which carries navigation lights and communications mast is triangular. These vessels are used primarily by

28 Combat & Survival

Main Image: Two 7.62mm GPMGs can be fitted for self-protection and to lay down suppressive fire

8: Norway 2006 - the removable roof is a necessity for Northern Flank deployments 9: One of the four LCVP carried on davits by HMS Bulwark - photographed off VlorĂŤ in September 2013 10: Rare battle lighting shot of two LCVP Mk.5 in the well deck of a Bay Class RFA - centre and port troop benches are just visible

1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1AGRM) and its subordinate Assault Squadrons (ASRM), and are usually transported aboard warships though they do have a degree of autonomy once in-theatre. For those interested in facts and figures the LCVP Mk.5 is approximately 15.7m (51ft) long by 4.3m (14ft) wide and displaces 24 tonnes when fully loaded. Top speed is 24 knots (45km/hr) and range is over 200 nautical miles (375km). Both the Royal Navy's HMS Albion and Bulwark, which are classed as Landing Platform Dock or LPD, and also HMS Ocean, which is classed as a Landing Platform Helicopter or LPH, carry four LCVPs on davits and the four RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) Bay Class landing ships can each carry two in their well decks.

WHILE THE ROYAL MARINES FROM TAUNTONBASED 42 COMMANDO GROUP WERE DEPLOYED WITH THE RESPONSE FORCE TASK GROUP (RFTG) ON COUGAR '13 IN THE AUTUMN, THEIR OPPOSITE NUMBERS IN PLYMOUTH-BASED 40 COMMANDO GROUP WERE HONING THEIR WARFIGHTING SKILLS IN CALIFORNIA'S MOJAVE DESERT AS THEY WORKED UP TO ASSUMING THE LEAD COMMANDO GROUP ROLE IN THE SPRING OF 2014. OPERATING OUT OF THE US MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTRE (MCAGCC) TO THE NORTH OF TWENTYNINE PALMS IN CALIFORNIA, THE COMMANDOS HAD A NEAR UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN ALONGSIDE THEIR USMC COUSINS ON MASSIVE ARID CLIMATE RANGES WHICH PROVIDED EXCELLENT TRAINING.

The BLACK ALLIGATOR exercises take place at the USMC Air Ground Combat Center north of the city of Twentynine Palms in the Morongo Basin of Southern California. The major terrain feature is the steeply sloping arid Bullion Mountains range, which rises dramatically from the desert floor. In summer the thermometer regularly tops 45C and annual rainfall is only about four inches or 100mm making it an excellent hot & dry training area Combat & Survival

t the conclusion of Exercise BLACK ALLIGATOR '13 the Royal Marines undertook a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) as the final part of a live ammunition training package which saw the elite green berets of 40 Commando Group progress from attaining their annual marksmanship test through to mounting a Full Commando Minus (i.e. two company) combined live exercise in just three weeks. This final CALFEX dawn attack saw the two companies fighting alongside live-firing US Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, with mortar and artillery indirect fire support and close fire support from heavy weapons mounted atop Humvees, demonstrating the initiativebased tactics the Commando Group had been developing throughout their time in the US. Captain Russel Squires RM said: "It was very impressive watching two companies advance on the mock village at first light, being fired in by the incredible ordinance of Battle Tanks, Mortars, Artillery, and FSG (Fire Support Group) gunners. The transformation of the Group, from a start state of basic marksmanship to a Full Commando Minus attack, is incredible. It is testament to the level of instruction, the professionalism of the Marines, Soldiers, and Sappers, and the superb ranges we have available here at Twentynine Palms." BLACK ALLIGATOR was a two-month exercise package at MCAGCC where, over the course of several weeks, the Commando Group was able to undertake live firing with heavy machineguns and mortars; perfect their urban combat drills, and then conduct a battlegroup-sized live-fire Commando raid whilst working sideby-side with their US and Dutch Marine colleagues. The exercise formed the first element of a multienvironment training package the Commando Group will undertake in the lead up to taking over as LCG next May, which will also include specialist training in Cold Weather Warfare in Norway and Jungle Warfare

32 Combat & Survival

in Gabon plus armoured vehicle, aviation and chemical warfare packages whilst maintaining commitment to core amphibious tasks as part of the high readiness Response Force Task Group (RFTG). Talking of his personal experiences on the CALFEX, Royal Marine Reservist Nick Locke from Caerphilly said: “Going through a live firing attack while having an M1 Abrams tank firing a few feet away was brilliant. It is great to be involved in an exercise on such a large scale. The Americans don’t do things by halves. Live firing was on all around me, from machineguns to mortars. It’s as real to ops as you can get…not to mention the hoofing weather!” he added. This type of training, and validation of this nature, is vital to ensure their combat readiness for when 40 Commando take over next spring as the nation's high readiness Lead Commando Group; a contingency force able to deploy anywhere in the world at very short notice. In 2012 it was 42 Commando's turn to train on BLACK ALLIGATOR as they worked up to take over the LCG role and those members of 3 Commando Brigade we chatted to out in Albania in September who had been on that package said they found it to be highly beneficial.

The MCAGCC mission statement is: "To conduct relevant livefire combined arms training, urban operations, and Joint/Coalition level integration training that promotes operational forces readiness as well as to provide the facilities, services, and support responsive to the needs of resident organisations." In addition to open desert environment dune and mountain terrain live-fire ranges the centre also has urban training complexes where live ammunition can be used in company-level and battalion-level exercise packages Combat & Survival

The two major beauties of the MCAGCC facility, in addition to it still being unfamiliar exercise terrain for most, are the vast spaces and the climate. At almost a thousand square miles the facility near Twentynine Palms is six times larger than Salisbury Plain and the high & dry climate encountered is more like the type of region the LCG and RFTG might find themselves working in at very short notice. The assistance laid on by the USMC hosts at the Combat Center is also second to none, according to our friends in the Brigade. In total 31 Royal Marine Reservists also participated. The last words are from Simon Avery, who works full time for the National Trust but joined the desert workout for two weeks. He said: “As part of the Royal Marines Reserve on Black Alligator what I really liked was the integration, the fact that we undertook every element of the training just like the Regular Marines. As reservists we need to gain experience – the more we train and practice, the more successful we will be in operations and at the US facility we were at the forefront of training.”

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The two companies from 42 Commando plus their accompanying gunner, engineer and logistics etc. personnel, were supported by a company of Dutch Commandos from the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (on the left in the group photo) and the resident US Marines at MCAGCC provided M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks plus Hum-vees with .50cal machinegun mounts for direct fire support. The accompanying images are from a number of assaults and were shot by Petty Officer (Photographer) Sean Clee over a two week period at the end of October Images Crown Copyright: Sean Clee

Combat & Survival

The Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team of the Objektschutzgruppe of the Base Command Mazar-e-Sharif numbers eight soldiers. It consists of the team leader, the radio operator, the sniper, the machine gunner, two medics (one of who is also is the 2IC of the team), a rifleman and a grenadier. The kit available to the Personnel Recovery Combat Rescue Team we worked with to bring you this month's Frontline Report on Page 9 includes the following weapons:• 5.56x45mm G36K A2 carbine, fitted with EoTech Sight Holographic reflex sight. • 5.56x45mm G36A2 assault rifle, fitted with the RSA-S reflex sight. • 5.56x45mm G36A2 assault rifle, fitted with the RSA-S reflex sight and a 40mm AG40-2 under-barrel grenade launcher. • 5.56x45mm MG4 light machine gun. • 7.62x51mm G3A3ZF designated marksman rifle, fitted with 4x24 sniper scope and RSA-S reflex sight. • 7.62x51mm G28 designated marksman rifle, fitted with Schmidt & Bender PMII 3-20 x 50 sniper scope. • 4.6x30mm MP7A1 sub-machinegun fitted with RSA-S reflex sight. • 9x19mm P8 pistol. • DM51 blast/fragmentation hand grenade.

Above: Clockwise from top left: the 5.56mm MG4 light machinegun, 9mm P8 pistol, 7.62mm G3A3ZF designated marksman rifle, 5.56mm G36A2 assault rifle fitted with 40mm AG40-2 under-barrel grenade launcher, 4.6mm MP7A1 sub-machinegun, 7.62mm G28 designated marksman rifle, and 5.56mm G36KA2 carbine Images © Carl Schulze Combat & Survival

7: Using a mounting rail the Nachtsichtaufsatz 80 night vision attachment can be fixed in front of the Mess-und BeobachtungsgerĂ¤t HALEM 2 hand held laser rangefinder

6: The aiming devices, surveillance equipment and night vision systems fielded include the Laser Light Module 01, Nachtsichtaufsatz 80night vision attachment, LUCIE night vision goggles, HLR 15 hand held laser rangefinder, HALEM 2 hand-held laser range finder and Thales IR Target Marker - the IR Strobe Light Marker Distress is attached to the rear of the combat helmets

5: With the AbschussgerĂ¤t Granate 40 mm AG40-2 under-barrel grenade launcher the members of the PRCR Team fire the DN101 Spreng-Splittergranaten fragmentation grenaden - each team member usually carries at least one Spreng/Splitter DM51 fragmentation hand grenade.

4: Second Line Kit: Tactical equipment is manufactured by Lindnerhof Taktik and includes a plate carrier with quick release, Level 1 soft ballistic inlays and Level 4 hard ballistic plates - kit carried in the various pouches includes spare G36 assault rifle and P8 pistol magazines, spare radio batteries, smoke grenades, Cyalume lights, a Garmin Fortex 301 GPS receiver, a Leatherman Multitool and a whistle

3: Medical equipment carried by the combat medics includes two comprehensively stocked medical rucksacks, a Baxstrap Spine Board, two Griffin foldable stretchers, a flexible Skedco Sked Stretcher and an APLS Thermal Guard Insulated Evacuation Stretcher

2: During operations the combat medics carry a wide range of medical equipment in their backpacks, including bandages, burn bandages, intubation equipment, tourniquets, Quick Clot Gauze, Halo Chest Seals, HWS-Splints, rescue blankets, flexible splints, infusion equipment & infusions and a surgical collar

1: Third Line Kit: In their daypacks PRCR Team members carry everything that they might need in case their deployment on the ground takes longer than 15 minutes including spare magazines with ammunition, bottles with drinking water, an MRE, spare batteries for the radios and night vision equipment, a signal panel, smoke grenades, a survival-pack, belt cutter, KM 2000 combat knife, first aid kit, shemagh, torch, and an Evasion Chart

Kit used by the Rescue Equipment Team includes the 3.2kW TS 420 disc cutter manufactured by Andreas Stihl this 725mm long system weighs 9.6kg and can perform cutting work up to 125mm deep

The aiming devices, surveillance equipment and night vision systems fielded by the PRCR team we worked with in Afghanistan last summer included:• Laser Light Module 01. • NSA 80 night vision attachment. • LUCIE night vision goggles. • HLR 15 hand-held laser rangefinder. • HALEM 2 hand-held laser rangefinder. • L3-Insight Clip-on Night Vision Device - Thermal 3 (CNVD-T3) thermal imaging system. • Merlin Long Range night vision attachment. • Thales IR Target Marker. The team's radio equipment allows it to communicate with nearly all ground and air assets and includes the following systems:• AN/PRC-117F Multiband Multi Mission Radio (MBMMR – UHF/VHF, AM/FM, TACSAT/SATCOM, DAMA), • AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR - UHF/VHF, AM/FM), • SEM70 (VHF) receiver/transmitter. • EM52SL (VHF, FM) receiver/transmitter. • Satellite telephones manufactured by Iridium Communications Inc. are also issued.

40 Combat & Survival

ersonal equipment used by team members includes a mix of issued and privately purchased kit. In the field of tactical equipment, the PRCR uses material manufactured by Lindnerhof Taktik GmbH. Initially purchased privately by team members, this kit has now become standard military issue. The range of equipment issued includes plate carriers with quick release and Level I soft ballistic inlays, Level IV hard ballistic plates, 5.56mm G36 magazine pouches (for one and two magazines), pistol magazine pouches, multi-purpose pouches, radio pouches, drop bags, hand and smoke grenade pouches, trauma kit pouches, gun slings and modular ballistic belts with Level 1 soft ballistic inlays. Also standard issue are personal retention lanyards and Cobra CQB belts manufactured by Yates Gear Inc. In addition to the body armour personal protection equipment includes Sawfly goggles manufactured by Revision Military Limited, M-Pact gloves manufactured by Mechanix Wear Incorporated and the Gefechtshelm für Spezialkräfte (light combat helmet for Special Forces). Clothing used includes Combat Shirts manufactured by 75Tactical GmbH and Leo Köhler GmbH & Co. KG plus

8: The picture shows much of the Rescue Equipment 9 Team kit which includes a chain saw, a comprehensive tool set, a petrol engine powered transportable hydraulic pump, a crowbar, a hydraulic rescue tool and a disc cutter 9: The radio equipment of the PRCR Team includes among other systems the AN/PRC-117F Multiband Multi Mission Radio (MBMMR – UHF/VHF, AM/FM, TACSAT/SATCOM, DAMA), the AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR - UHF/VHF, AM/FM) and the SEM52SL (VHF, FM) receiver/transmitter

issue KSK Special Forces trouser. Boots include, among other types, the Lowa Zephyr Mid GTX, the Haix Airpower P9 Desert and the Merrell Chameleon 3 Aximon. Finally, PRCR Team navigation equipment includes the AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) and other more sensitive kit.

French Foreign Legion combat diver of the 2nd REG, equipped with closed circuit breathing apparatus and carrying FAMAS assault rifles, emerges from the water

Few modes of transportation are as discreet and easily manoeuvrable as a kayak, making it an excellent means of stealth infiltration. As military operations grow in complexity and sophistication, reconnaissance is becoming more and more important as regard the success or failure of any military endeavour. Aerial observation and satellite

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imagery may provide crucial info, but having people on the ground is necessary for a firsthand view of the situation. These recon missions are carried out by small groups of highly trained commandos who clandestinely infiltrate enemy lines, gather intelligence info and leave undetected with the same stealth as they entered.

ne of the most effective means of getting these Special Forces troops in and then out again, with a maximum of concealment, is by water. Most armies have units trained in these types of amphibious infiltration reconnaissance operations. Some of the best known being the US Navy SEALS, the British Special Boat Service, the Italian ComSubIn and the French Marine Commandos. We've all seen them in action in the movies when a group of Navy 'frogmen' emerge from the water, their faces painted in camouflage, as they make their way to the beach. Or when a commando unit lowers themselves into a rubber raft to paddle their way from ship to shore to infiltrate the enemy's line and sabotage his positions. A much lesser known, but extremely practical, waterborne craft used by the amphibious recon units is what is referred to as the military or combat kayak.

KAYAKS IN COMBAT Throughout history there have been stealth combat operations carried out using small boats. Most were ad hoc in nature, putting to use whatever row boats or canoes were on hand at the time. The use of specifically built kayaks for clandestine military operations goes back to World War II when the British began to develop and put them into

Above: Combat diver of the 1st REG (1er Régiment Étranger de Génie) - the French Foreign Legion has two Combat Engineer Regiments, both of which use kayaks 1: Here a French Commando recon team from the 2nd REG sends images and observations, complete with GPS data, back to the operations centre via satellite hookup 2: The 1st REG specialises in amphibious operations - here in their company headquarters a number of Combat Kayaks are stored ready for use Images © Richard Lucas or from the author's private collection

use. In one historic mission, Operation FRANKTON in 1942, British Royal Marine Commandos, dropped off by submarine, raided German shipping at the French Port of Bordeaux by sneaking more than 30 miles up the Gironde river in 2-man kayaks in order to plant magnetic limpet mines on ships in the harbour. More recently the British Special Air Service (SAS) and the Special Boat Service (SBS) used kayaks for reconnaissance during the 1982 Falklands War. As did US Navy SEALS and Marine Recon units at the start of operations in Somalia in 1992. During a series of military actions, known collectively as Operation HARPIE, kayaks were used quite successfully by French Legionnaires and Gendarmes in

French Guiana. Op HARPIE was essentially a police action against clandestine gold mining and illegal immigrants entering the French territory from neighbouring Suriname. Kayaks proved to be well suited for silently patrolling the rivers and backwaters that cut through the dense jungle vegetation and are prime routes for illegal activities.

Combat & Survival

In all probability there have been quite a few other situations in which kayaks have been used in Special Forces operations but, as these types of military actions are not highly publicised, information about them is scarce.

RECONNAISSANCE AND SPECIAL OPS A generation ago, recon missions basically consisted of sending scouts behind enemy lines where they would observe, sketch out enemy positions and make their way back undetected. In today's world of digital imagery and satellite telecommunications recon missions have grown in hi-tech sophistication unheard of before. The simple pad and pencil has been replaced by a weatherproofed laptop with satellite hookup, photo/video digital imaging equipment and thermal/infra-red night vision optics. A recon observation patrol may last from a few days to a week or more, meaning that the men have to carry in all the necessary tools, equipment and supplies to complete the mission. Materials vary as to the mission but, in general, they may include tools and materials to construct a cache/shelter, electronic observation, imaging and communication equipment with spare batteries, clothing and sleeping materials, weapon and ammunition as well as explosives, and enough food and water to survive on.

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Main Image: Armed with silenced 9mm Uzi sub-machineguns a combat team of the French Foreign Legion's 1st REG uses a kayak to infiltrate and secure a riverbank during amphibious operations 3 & 4: Commandos of the 2nd REG make their approach during a reconnaissance mission - as a kayak team leader manoeuvres toward the shoreline the man in front stands ready for any eventual hostilities

With all this equipment to haul a combat recon diver usually carries a two-part waterproof backpack. The upper pack contains the clothes, food, and other items that are necessary but not of strategic importance. This upper

pack can be easily released and dropped in an emergency situation. The lower pack contains the electronic equipment crucial to carry out the mission and stays with the diver. Weapons and munitions are carried in

Amphibious combat teams of the 2nd REP (2e RĂŤiment Ă&#x2039;tranger de Parachutistes) using kayaks during training exercises on the French island of Corsica, the individual web gear. Fully loaded a diver will be swimming with, then has to carry, well over a hundred pounds (45kg). Considering the sheer weight of the equipment, having a kayak or kayaks as a support platform is a considerable advantage. The use of kayaks give the amphibious recon units an autonomy and the possibility to silently move from one position to another. The advantage in using the kayak is that it becomes a small floating operational base which can discretely remain in the area of operations and provide support for a number of activities. As a supply point it can provide the observation teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s necessary materials and thus, extend the time the mission can continue. Used as a satellite communications relay

point it can link advance observation units with command centre They could also be used as a launching platform for hand held observation drones. Another training scenario is for the observation or saboteur unit to use the kayak's speed and stealth characteristics (low radar, infra-red, acoustic and thermal signatures) to infiltrate a waterway. Upon landing the boats are dismantled and fit into packs that can be submerged and cached underwater before the unit deploys. Upon mission completion the packs are hauled out of the water and kayaks reassembled - with training this takes about twenty minutes - and the teams head back. All of this is carried out under cover of darkness and ideally under obscuring weather conditions.

5 & 6: A kayak-borne recon group of the 2nd REP of the French Foreign Legion returns to the support vessel after beach reconnaissance exercises near their main base at Calvi on the French island of Corsica 7: French naval vessels supporting amphibious operations are fitted with specialist equipment - here a hoist and carriage system is used to get the kayaks in and out of water

As with most military equipment, deployment depends on the situation and the imagination of the people putting together the operation. One advantage of the folding kayak is that they can be dropped by helicopter or parachute and carried to wherever they would be assembled and deployed. From what I've seen, most amphibious assault or recon units have kayaks in their arsenal and regularly use them in training exercises. Through the years some adaptations have been made to take advantage of new technologies and changes in weapons and tactics. But for the most part the basic design hasn't changed and the military kayak seems to have become standard issue in special forces amphibious arsenal.

CONTINUED NEXT MONTH... Combat & Survival

Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arne Lentz used a M1911 in 9mm calibre to compete in Classic Division

The 2013 IPSC European Handgun Championships (EHC), an event which takes place every three years, was held in the north of Portugal on the outskirts of the town of Barcelos, inland from Porto. The competition was organised by IPSC Portugal, which ensured the Fervenca Shooting Complex was fit for purpose, including construction of all the stages, rest areas and trade displays for the event. The 24 stages in the match were themed on Portuguese exploration and there was an abundance of nautical pictorial displays and props used in the match.

he increasing popularity of IPSC shooting in Europe has led to the European Championships being designed to take over 900 competitors in the match and EHC 2013 was filled to capacity. This is in part due to many new IPSC regions being formed in many of the emerging eastern European countries and the new nations that used to make up the former Soviet Union. There was also a contingent of competitors from the modern day Russia. As well as the competitors from European countries, in which Israel and Russia are included, competitors from other IPSC

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Regions around the world also participated in the match. The Fervenca Shooting Complex used for this event also hosts clay pigeon and UIT precision shooting events and 24 of its shooting bays were for the 2013 EHC. The ranges were in four groups of six stages and each group of stages was in a common area separated by earth bunds. The range complex had been well prepared with the shooting bays made ready. Parking areas, refreshments, seating areas and a trade show were all laid on for the event; parking was to one side of the complex and coaches were also used to bus competitors from the designated 'match hotels'.

Representing Denmark and the STI European Team, Ralf Jensen shoots his STI Executive during Stage 13, which was one of the field matches 1

OPENING CEREMONY

The event started on Sunday 8th September with the Opening Ceremony; the Pre-Match having started on the preceding Wednesday through to Friday for all the range officers and match officials. Administrative meetings where also held during the proceeding week. Competitors based themselves around the Barcelos, Braga and Porto areas and arrived from mid week to Sunday morning to register at the match, with the Opening Ceremony taking place on the Sunday afternoon. Teams and representatives of all participating nations converged and paraded behind their respective country's flag along a route leading to the town square. Both

1: Jerome Poiret was one of the French competitors in Standard Division Images ÂŠ Greg Roberts

local dignitaries and IPSC Officials gave the opening speeches. Competitors from a total of 34 countries from the European area, from Austria to the United Kingdom, took part in the match. From Australia to Uruguay, with South Africa in between, competitors from a further ten countries from around the world also participated.

Classic Division in which an M1911 pistol must be used made its first appearance at a European Championship

COMPETITION START

The Main Match started on the Monday morning and consisted of 24 stages, shot six per day over four half days. The competitors were grouped into 60 squads of up to 15 shooters, who shot for half a day of five hours alternating between mornings and afternoons. Each group of 12 squads was assigned a colour; Brown, Blue, Green, Red and Yellow. Each coloured group shot alternate mornings and afternoons, with each colour having one day that they did not shoot. The way the match was organised meant that 24 squads shot in the morning and another 24 squads shot in the afternoon while 12 squads had the day off. Each stage was 4 officiated by a range officer and / or an International Range Officers Association (IROA) official. Scouts from the

Portuguese Scouting Association also manned each stage and greatly assisted with the patching and target resetting.

MATCH SPONSORS

The competition was sponsored by major firms who produce the products used in IPSC events; CZ, RUAG, STI International and Tanfoglio all sponsoring the different match areas. Each individual stage was also sponsored by companies who produce equipment suitable for practical pistol competition such as C-More Optical Sights, Ghost Holsters, Double Alpha Academy, 5.11 Tactical and a host of other firearm, ammunition and accessory manufacturers. The Official Match ammunition was provided by GECO, the German ammunition manufacturer; many people fly to these bigger IPSC events and the round count to complete the event exceeds the 5 kg weight limit of ammunition that an

individual passenger can carry on a plane. With GECO (geco-ammunition.com) making available their ammunition to use in this Level IV Championship Match, competitors could prearrange to purchase all or part of their requirements for the match. GECO also had a trade stand at this event staffed by two of their representatives, who were ready to assist competitors who had any questions about

2: Here Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tal Shapira guns through Stage 19 3: Representing Israel Yael Dagan finished in ninth place in Ladyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open Division. 4: Always popular with the crowds Angus Hobdell used a Dan Wesson 9mm M1911 pistol in Classic Division

the match ammunition during the event.

MATCH STATISTICS

With the popularity of practical pistol competition in Europe on the increase, this translated into all five IPSC Competition Divisions being well represented at the Europeans, with 956 competitors completing the event the Europeans was the biggest IPSC match in 2013. This high popularity also spread into the various categories of Lady, Junior, Senior and Super Senior.

Combat & Survival

Switzerland’s Christine Burkhalter, who finished in third place in Ladies Production Division. guns through a stage with her Sphinx Production 3000 9mm pistol

Know for his performances in Production Division, Angus Hobdell competed in Classic Division and finished in third place Open and Standard Division remain popular with 241 and 294 competitors respectively. The number of competitors in Standard Division has steadily increased so that it now exceeds Open Division in popularity; this is borne out in other major matches around Europe. Production Division continues to expand across all European IPSC Regions and was the most popular IPSC Division at the 2013 EHC with 330 shooters in this category. Revolver Division continues to have its devotees with 38 entries. Making its first appearance at the European Championship, with 53 competitors, was Classic Division in which you have to use an M1911 pistol. The debate on which calibre to use in Classic Division continues. I noticed that many of the top Classic Division competitors were using 9mm calibre M1911 pistols at this event. The 24 stages, grouped into four areas, consisted of eleven short stages of up to twelve rounds, nine medium stages of up to 23 rounds, and four long stages of up to 32 rounds for a minimum round count of 412 for the match. As well as static full-sized and partial versions, the IPSC Classic targets consisted of

50 Combat & Survival

moving, bobbing and drop and turn versions placed between three and 35 metres from the competitors. Twenty one of the twenty four stages also included steel poppers and/or steel plates. Although the competitors spent half a day at the range for four days with one day off, the ROs were there for the whole day, but with more range staff being used in this match they also had a day off. On the first day a few of the morning stages were still running over the lunch break and some of the afternoon stages ran to nearly 7.30pm. After Day One everything started to settle down and the stages were finishing close to the appointed time of 7pm. The weather remained hot and sunny all week and the temperature crept over 30 degrees Celsius, with a few welcome breezes. OK if you are used to it, but a bit warm for those from more northern climates.

RESULTS

With Eric Grauffel no longer competing in Open Division his crown as European Open Division Champion passed onto a new contender. In Open Division at the EHC 2013 first place went to Spain’s Jorge Ballesteros, with France’s Emile Obriot in second place with 98.52% and Sweden’s Tony Lars Skoog in third place with 98.49%. The

5: Katalin Bodo from Hungary competed in Lady’s Standard Division 6: Representing Russia Maria Gushchina reloads her Tanfoglio 9mm pistol - Maria went on to win the Ladies Production Division 7: From the Netherlands Sasja Barentsen guns through Stage 22 with his SVI .40 calibre Standard Division pistol

top competitor from outside Europe was the USA’s Kamille Eusebio with 98.30%.

In the Ladies' Open Division Spain’s Lorena Ballesteros took the top slot and Rakel Ruiz Malanda from Spain and Austria’s Margit Steurer took the next two places. In the Open Junior class Simo Partanen from Finland came in first place. Daniil Karchev from Russia came second and Roberto Gomes from Brazil was close behind in third place. In Production Division France’s Eric Grauffel was in first place with a near 13% margin. Matti Manni from Finland was in second place with 87.07 %. Ljubisa Momcilovic of Serbia and the CZ Shooting Team was just behind him with 86.21 %. Ladies' Production Division was won by Russia’s Maria

Peter Heller of Switzerland who came third in the Senior category in Production Division races through a stage with his 9mm Sphinx 3000

Gushchina, with fellow Russian competitor Svetlana Nikolaeva in second place, Switzerland’s Christine Burkhalter finishing in third place. The Russian Lady’s Production Team of Anastasia Chernenko, Maria Gushchina, Svetlana Nikolaeva and Zoya Petrushina won the team event as well. Production Division continues to grow in popularity across the European IPSC Regions and had the biggest number of competitors at EHC 2013, with 330 completing the competition. As well as being the perfect entry level into IPSC matches, Production Division at the top level is also as competitive as any other IPSC Division.

The battle for Standard Division took place across several squads, in which were found Europe’s top competitors. Adriano Santarcangelo, Ralf Jensen, Blake Miguez (USA), Petr Znamenacek and Gyorgy Batki were adjacent to each other and JC Jamie Diaz was a few squads away. I was able to watch all of them shoot at various stages of the event. Congratulations to Spain’s JC Jamie Diaz for winning Standard Division. The Czech Republic’s Petr Znamenacek was second on 96.44%, with Italy’s Cosimo Panetta on 95.30% As Tori Nonaka is from the USA her score was not included in the European list, but her result would have made her the first placed Lady in Standard Division. The first place Lady in the European Zone was Germany’s Petra Tutschke, with Russia’s Mira Barinova in second place. Close behind in third place was Hilde Nakling from Norway. Gerald Reiter from Austria won Revolver Division

by the closest of margins. Germany’s Sascha Back was just 0.04% behind him in second place! Austria’s Hermann Kirchweger was third with 96.74%.

52 Combat & Survival

8: Julien Boit was one of the French competitors competing in Standard Division 9: Part of the CZ Shooting Team, Roman Podlesak competed in Standard Division with his .40 calibre CZ Tactical Sport

10: Guga Ribas from Brazil competed in Production Division with his 9mm Sphinx 11: Another round cycles into Blake Miguez’s STI. In the International Match Results in Standard Division Blake finished in second place

Classic Division, which mandates the use of a M1911 pistol, was the new Division at the EHC 2013 with a total of 53 competitors competing. I spent some time talking to and looking at the

Martina Sera of the CZ Shooting Team finished in fourth place in Ladies Open Division with her CZ 9mm Major Czechmate

The USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tori Nonaka finished in first place in Ladies aStandard Division with her .40 calibre Glock 35 Angus Hobdell uses his Dan Wesson M1911 pistol in Classic Division in Stage 20 - the Rowing Boat Stage

pistols that the competitors were using and a lot of them were shooting 9mm calibre M1911 pistols, as they favour the extra magazine capacity over the ability to score major point values on the paper targets. The first placed competitor in Classic Division was Edward Rivera from the Philippines. In second place and the first placed European was Roberto Buticchi from Italy, the third place finisher being the USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Angus Hobdell. In fourth place and the second placed European was Roberto Vezzoli from Italy, with Marijan Loch from Germany being the third placed European competitor.

One competitor I had several conversations with during the event was Max Wiegand from Germany. Now a Super Senior, Max is still competing. He won the first IPSC European Handgun Championship in 1978 and back then he won many matches with his 9mm Heckler and Koch P7.

STEEL PLATE SHOOT-OFFS

On the Saturday morning after, the completion of the main match, the Shoot Off Finals took place. These included the top eight competitors across all the five IPSC Divisions and where numbers of competitors in the different Divisions permitted, it also included Ladies, Juniors and Seniors.

12: Martin Kamenicek of the CZ Shooting Team finished in ninth place in Open Division with his CZ 9mm Major Czechmate 13: STI European Team member JC Jaime Diaz, the 2010 European Champion in Standard Division, finished in first place retaining his title at the 2013 EHC 14: Emile Obriot of France and STI European Team member put in a superb performance in Open Division to finish in second place with his .38 Super calibre STI Grandmaster

Combat & Survival

Another round cycles through Maria Gushchinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tanfoglio 9mm pistol - Maria went on to win the Ladies Production Division Title

The shoot-off consisted of each competitor engaging eight steel targets. They also had to make one compulsory reload. Two over lapping poppers were placed in the middle of the range. The first of the two final poppers to hit the ground decided the winner. There was only one bout between each competitor to decide the winner, until the final two competitors and then it was the best of three bouts. A grandstand was erected at the rear of the range to enable spectators to view the shoot-off match. The event then proceeded through the various 16 IPSC

15: Anastasia Chernenko was a member of the Russian team which won the Ladies Production Team event 16: All of the stages were crewed by members of the Portuguese Scout Association, who greatly assisted with the patching and target resetting 17: The Official Match Ammunition was provided by GECO, the German manufacturer, who also had a trade stand at this event staffed by two of their technical representatives

Divisions and finally Open Division, finishing with the top Open Division competitors. The competitors reconvened for the awards dinner in Barcelos on Saturday evening with the flags of the 44 participating nations draped around the dining area. We heard speeches from IPSC officials and the national anthem of the winner of each award was played, the French competitors enthusiastically joining in with the singing of La Marseillaise. Appreciation is due to our hosts in Barcelos and to the Portuguese people; both those who were involved in the match and the general public who made us all feel very welcome in their country. I look forward to returning to this area of Portugal in the future. The match worked due to the pre-

54 Combat & Survival

planning and organisation and the dedication of the range officers and all the associated staff. Congratulations are due to IPSC and the Portuguese IPSC Region and IROA putting together an excellent 2013 European Handgun Championship and for giving all the competitors an enjoyable week. Take a look at the competition website ipscmatches.org/ehc2013 if interested in the full set of results, which show all the various division, category and team results.

1 For the 2013 IPSC European Handgun Championship in Portugal in September I looked for a hat to protect me from the sun. Attending this event means that you are standing around in the outdoors for a large portion of every day, and past experiences with baseball caps in these conditions had resulted in a sunburnt neck and ears. Even in September the weather in northern Portugal can be clear blue skies with temperatures of over 30ºC, so with this in mind I selected a Tilley hat to give me proper all round sun protection.

he LTM5 Airflo Tilley Hat comes with a medium brim and is made of lightweight nylon with a polyester mesh around the crown. This mesh helps to both ventilate warm air out and allow cooler air to flow in for coolness and comfort during hot days or when engaged in strenuous activities. The sturdy Tilley Nylamtium fabric is a rugged water and mildew resistant form of lightweight nylon. This hat weights a scant three ounces, or 85 grams and is available in olive, or light khaki with an olive trim under the brim.

BORN FROM NECESSITY

Alex Tilley’s hobby is sailing and he was looking for a hat that would protect him from the sun, keep him dry when it rained and would not blow off his head in the wind. Not finding anything that was suitable he designed his own version of what was required and had a milliner run up some prototypes; the Tilley Hat was born.

56 Combat & Survival

Tilley makes their hats in 13 sizes. Like your footwear, your Tilley Hat must be sized properly. To find your hat size, use a tape measure and draw it right around your head, making sure that the bottom of the tape touches your eyebrows while resting straight around your head. Take a note of the measurement and refer to the Hat Sizing Chart for an easy reference to your Tilley Hat size. The hat is designed to be worn low on your head and slightly loose. It should be held on by gravity and not by pressure on your forehead. For a proper fit the hat should be loose enough that you can rotate it to the left and right, and lift it up and down, without friction on your forehead. When it is windy use the supplied neck cord to keep the hat in place. The Tilley hat also has the advantage that it will float when dropped on water.

SOLAR PROTECTION

Solar protective clothing is any garment that can provide adequate protection from the sun. Generally speaking, clothing must have a Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) fabric value of 15 to 50+, which blocks 93 – 98% of

Main Image: For events that require being out doors for long periods of time, such as when we were at the 2013 IPSC European Handgun Championship, the Tilley hat will give protection from exposure to the sun, as shown here by Hungary’s Lyubomira Tosheva 1: The Tilley LTM5 Airflo hat is available in light khaki with an olive trim under the brim to reduce the glare 2: All Tilley hats have a pocket in the crown with an instruction manual and sealable plastic bag in which emergency cash or a credit card can be stored Images © Greg Roberts

UV radiation and should cover or shade sufficient skin to protect a person from the damaging rays of the sun. Skin can burn through fabric that does not meet the standards for UPF protection. The Tilley Hat has an ultraviolet protection rating of UPF 50+, the maximum rating given. In the crown of every Tilley Hat is a secret Velcro pocket with a sealable plastic bag and an owner’s instruction manual. You can store some emergency cash notes, credit card, ID card etc in here. The crown also contains a non-absorbent foam liner, which enables the hat to float. The mesh around the crown allows for air flow to keep you cool. Everything in the Tilley Hat is made in Canada, where they ensure good quality control. I wore this hat every day at the 2013 IPSC European Handgun Championship, where the temperatures reached 33ºC during the week of the match. When not being worn it travelled flat in my suitcase or crunched up in my range bag. With a thump from my hand it popped back into its proper shape. For further information check out Tilley.com

* Supplied unfilled for safety purposes

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ohammed may have fought with the Somali terrorist group Al-Shabaab and so, with training and experience in terrorist technology, techniques and procedures (TTPs), could pose a very severe threat to the UK public. He escaped by allegedly cutting off a tracking device and then evaded surveillance by dressing in a burqa and leaving a mosque. He has remained undetected for over a week (at time of writing) and is still at large. Since he is not the first terrorist to escape surveillance in UK recently and remain undetected, we, as a society, have to re-examine whether our homeland security capability and outdated legislation are effective to meet the current threat or whether a fundamental change is required. There is always a balance to be struck between state security and its surveillance over its citizens and an individual’s right to privacy,

Since the Global War on Terror started in 2001 there has been an insatiable appetite for methods and technology used in counterterrorism and this has spawned everything from documentaries and books written by former ‘operators’ to films and ‘whistle blowers’; all not only entertaining but highly damaging in that they can reveal to the very people who would cause us harm just how we spot them, track them and ultimately prevent them from carrying out terrorist attacks. Every time more information is put out there, the easier it is for terrorists to avoid scrutiny, escape surveillance and ultimately carry out successful attacks on the British public.

Of course the public worry that all this expensive technology and these highly trained police and intelligence operatives will be busy focused on them and that their right to privacy will suffer as a result. The reality is, however, that the UK security apparatus is suffering from the current economic situation in the same way that everyone else is and therefore they cannot be omnipresent and watch everybody all the time. They don’t even have enough resources to watch all the potential terrorists that are being radicalised within the UK, let alone the many trying to enter the UK from abroad. This means that resources are prioritised according to the most serious (in terms of impact) or likely threat, and members of the public are

but looking at the current economic situation and recent incidents, maybe we need to move our security and intelligence strategy to helping protect the law-abiding UK citizens as a whole, rather than the needs of the individual being the priority and thereby potentially undermining the basic need of society to protect itself and feel safe. After all, isn’t that one of the reasons that the public vote in a government in the first place? So how did the surveillance team lose Mohammed? Firstly, it must be understood that the actual physical surveillance carried out was only one of the methods used to track and apprehend those with terrorist connections. Mohammed was also wearing a tracking device, but unfortunately it is alleged that he managed to cut it off without it informing any form of control centre. Any audible alarm created would have been negated by being inside a mosque away from members of the general public and out of sight of any surveillance team; especially if he was amongst a support network that operate from some mosques throughout UK. It would be very difficult for a surveillance team to get close enough inside a mosque unless, of course they have hired and trained individuals from the relevant background, but even then unless they are regulars to that particular mosque during prayer times, they are always going to stand out. But the main and obvious reason that an escape was successful was that the target was able to disguise himself whilst leaving the mosque. Whether he did this in the company of other women wearing burqas, whether it was even a scheduled women’s prayer time, or whether the surveillance team even knew that they existed, will all come out in time, but the point we need to address is whether the right to wear a burqa for religious reasons (especially on forms of photo ID) is putting the basic rights of society’s security at risk?

ROBERT SHAW OF OPTIMAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD. (OPTIMALRISK.COM) IS A FORMER BRITISH ARMY ATO AND IEDD/ WIS OPERATOR TURNED EOD THREAT AND COUNTER-IED TRAINER AND CONSULTANT.

A recent security situation, here in the UK, has been the escape and evasion of Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed from police surveillance whilst in a London mosque in Acton. He was one of several persons of interest for potential terrorist-related activity in UK under terrorism prevention and investigation measures that are, at best, controversial and ineffective.

unlikely to be under constant scrutiny unless they pose a serious threat to the UK. To help prioritise scarce security resources, we need to truly understand those that would harm us. This means not only having traditional forms of intelligence such as organisational structures and technical intelligence on our adversaries' TTPs but also that deeper level of understanding of our adversaries' culture to enable us to develop effective approaches to counter radicalisation. Just as the military have had to create a new cultural unit to operate more effectively in areas where they might operate, so must the UK security apparatus learn to understand the contemporary operating environment that is the UK.

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Merino is now quite a well-known textile with equally known and perhaps appreciated qualities, especially if you have had a chance to use it. I am a convinced advocate of Merino, so when I met with the guys from Armadillo at the DSEi military expo it took little persuasion to try out some of their gear.

irst up is a simple T-shirt, which I took away on a trip to the Med. At the time of year I was there it was warm in the day but soon got chill when the sun dropped a bit, so was ideal to give this garment a try. I have before been amazed how a 'woolly T-shirt' can be totally acceptable to wear in a warm / hot climate, as this sort of goes against instinct somehow. Well the Armadillo Tee did not disappoint and when the chill set in as the sun set, and wind chill factor was also there on a boat trip one day, it proved to be ideal. I also wore it (unwashed) for a couple of days and did not get the sack from m'Lady, so I guess the antibacterial qualities also function as they should. The tailoring design and sizing of Armadillo make even a simple garment a comfortable one, so all in all this gets a tick in all the boxes. The Armadillo website is well worth a look as is very informative and if you would like to buy any of their range it is more or less the only place you can do so ..... unless you live near Hereford â&#x20AC;&#x201C; funny â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ol thing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as is stocked in a retail store there. That tells a story methinks. If you do order and are military there are Special Forces discounts available so be sure to ask if you qualify. More to come on this range.

62 Combat & Survival

The Armadillo Merino T-shirt proved to be highly versatile, being well suited to warm days and chill evenings - and even with the breeze on a moving boat

Product - UK Contact: Telephone/Web:

Armadillo/Armadillo Merino 07891 284 224/armadillomerino.com

Black Diamond/First Ascent 01629 580 484/firstascent.co.uk

NiteIze/Whitby and Co 01539 721 032/whitbyandco.co.uk

Have to be careful how you say this, but you can see where Black Diamond is coming from here. As I type this, the ReVolt is plugged into my USB recharging. Not unremarkable these days but very handy for sure.

owever, it does not stop here as the design of the ReVolt means it can take both standard AAA batteries and rechargeable ones. If rechargeables are fitted you can simply plug it in to a suitable power source using the USB cable and get a refill. Given the cost of batteries this is a definite bonus but has the definite flexibility of either/or. Also if you have a solar charger then your Volts come for free. Whatever power you are using this head torch has a good spec for the military user as well as for civvies. Light output is useful at 110 Lumens or slightly less at 90 on rechargeables. You have a main light and two smaller LEDs to give a low power light; both can be infinitely set to lower or higher power by holding the button down. There are also Red LEDS with obvious advantages. Once these are selected they switch on and off only on red, so no worries of showing white light when not required. Both the small white and red LEDs can be made to strobe as well. The torch has a battery meter on one side so you can see where you are on the charge side of things and know when to act before you are plunged into darkness at some inopportune moment.

1: ReVolt with all the gear to give the flexibility that this head torch offers - both rechargeable and normal batteries can be used

2: The ReVolt offers a good range of very useful features for the military and civvy user. 3: Both the Black Diamond ReVolt (top) and Storm head torches are very similar in function but with power supply differences

Images ÂŠ

MIKE GORMLEY

The ReVolt is more or less the same as the Storm which has similar features but is not rechargeable, although it does have four, not three AAAs. Both these are versatile and very effective head torches with useful features and the Re Volt in particular with its recharge capability is for me a good way to go.

4: See Key give a good and useful light 5: This version has a vehicle keyring, so is very handy on dark winter nights

NiteIze do a range of all sorts of handy 'things' and this is one of those. Almost indestructible, simple and useful.

hese little lights come in various forms; this as a key ring but works for many things such as a base light for camping or marker light, as well as for finding a keyhole on a dark night. The batteries last for ages and can be replaced, but as this has an LED it goes on for ages. Why not have one? Combat & Survival

Product - UK Contact: Telephone/Web:

Well, okay, I do live in Devon (you're not the only one, Ed.) so I just have to cover this one. However, I do have an affinity to Contigo products as from past and current experience they work ... and they last.

he Devon is a cold drinks bottle with a difference. It is insulated by way of a doublewalled construction. The lid, too, is a bit innovative in that it has

Leder-Bok/Alt-Berg 01748 850 615/legergris.co.uk

a flip-up spout, simply operated by a push button. So, in the heat of the moment, it is simple to press the button and the spout pops up. To close you just push the flip top lid back down. This lid, when closed, offers protection from physical damage as well as from mud and dust generated from your activity. Especially good if used in a bike holder, which is likely to get all the muck thrown up from the wheels. When up in drink mode you have a choice of either sucking or squeezing

Contigo/Contigo 02081 333 452/mycontigo.com

6: The Contigo Devon spill-proof cool drink bottle 7: The Devon with flip top closed offers protection to the drink section 8: The push button opens the valve ready for use

the drink out. There is a small internal valve that prevents spillage, but there is no bite valve – it's personal thing, but I don’t like bite valves – so for me this is a great system. Much easier to get that slug of wet stuff when under stress (puffing in my case!). The unit is top level dishwasher safe, so can easily be given a good wash out. So all in all this is a neat and highly practical, functional design. Well worth a look.

Most regular readers will know of Alt-Berg, the on't forget that for leather Alt-Berg Yorkshire bootmakers, by now but more recently produce Leder-Gris protective they have moved into fabric construction, for wax, which is now available in example the Yan Tans that I recently reviewed, MoD Brown in addition to Black as well as continuing with their well-known and Clear. range of leather footwear. To keep up with the care of such boots they have now introduced Leder-Bok treatment, which is not only suitable 9: Alt-Berg Leder-Bok shown against one of for their own products but for other similar their Yan Tans fabric, suede or Nubuck footwear as well.

64 Combat & Survival

THE MAIN UK-BASED THRUST OF BRITAIN’S DISASTERRELIEF EFFORT FOR THE TYPHOON-SHATTERED PHILIPPINES, OPERATION PATWIN, STARTED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF 15TH NOVEMBER AT RAF BRIZE NORTON WHERE A TEAM OF MOVERS FROM 99 SQUADRON LOADED A JCB BULLDOZER, TWO HEAVY DUTY FORKLIFT TRUCKS AND A PAIR OF LAND ROVER DEFENDERS, ALONG WITH CUTTING EQUIPMENT AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES, INTO THE HOLD OF A C17 GLOBEMASTER AS ITS AIRCREW PLANNED THE FIRST LEG OF A THREE-STAGE LIFT TO CEBU AIRPORT ON THE STORM-BATTERED ISLAND CHAIN. THIS EQUIPMENT WAS INTENDED FOR CLEARANCE OF BLOCKED ROADS AND RUNWAYS TO ALLOW SHIPMENTS OF AID TO GET THROUGH TO WHERE MOST NEEDED.

66 Combat & Survival

rior to this, Royal Navy sailors aboard HMS Daring had arrived at the island of Guinitacan (Bantayan?) which had suffered extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure and where three people had lost their lives. After spotting a village’s distress message marked out on the playground, the Type 45 Destroyer took in a medical team from Save The Children to set up clinics around the main villages on the island. A team of sailors also set to work repairing Hagdan School’s roof and cleared the inside of debris and stagnant water to allow children to return after a week without education.

On 14th November the MoD announced that HMS Illustrious was en route to the Philippines to assist in the relief effort. The carrier, deployed on COUGAR '13 since August, had been on patrol on counter piracy duties in the area around Horn of Africa.

Images Crown Copyright or © Bob Morrison: Military Scene Main Image: 16th November: An area of devastation on a islet adjacent to the Binuluangan island, as seen from the Lynx helicopter from HMS Daring, gives an idea of the rescue effort required in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan [Crown: L(Phot) Keith Morgan] 1: On 14th November it was announced that HMS Illustrious, deployed in the Middle East on operations since mid September as part of the UK’s Maritime Response Force Task Group, was redeploying from the Horn of Africa to the Philippines [Crown: PO (Phot) Ray Jones]

2: HMS Illustrious has three AAC Lynx AH7 utility helicopters on board in the Commando support role - they are seen here landing on her flight deck in September off VlorĂŤ [Bob Morrison]

Juliet Company from 42 Commando are also deploying with the helicopter carrier to the Philippines - here they can be seen training in the NonCombatant Evacuation Operation role in Albania in September [Bob Morrison]

3: Library shot of a Royal Navy Merlin HM1 helicopter similar to the one aboard HMS Illustrious - it was below decks when we were on board in September [Crown: LA(Phot) Maxine Davies] 4: There are also three Royal Navy HC4 4 Commando Sea King helicopters aboard HMS Illustrious - they were training in Jordan when we visited 'Lusty' so this is a shot of one in action on TAURUS '09 [Bob Morrison] 6

5: On 15th November HMS Daring's Lynx was launched to conduct recces of affected areas - the Type 45 destroyer had just begun Exercise BERSAMA LIMA in the South China Seas when she was rapidly retasked [Crown: AB(WS) Chris Oldland]

The RAF currently uses eight of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy airlift aircraft - it can carry up to 77.5 tonnes of cargo and has a range of around 2750 miles or nearly 4500km [Crown: Paul Crouch]

6: In the early hours of 15th November a Royal Air Force C17 of 99 Squadron was loaded with UK Aid equipment and supplies - this is one of two Land Rover Defenders which were lashed down on the tail ramp [Crown: Paul Crouch] 7: Inside the hold of the first C17 despatched to the Philippines on Operation PATWIN - the UK Aid load earth moving equipment, forklifts and medical supplies [Crown: Paul Crouch] Combat & Survival

Main Image: Aerial shot from Daring's 9 Lynx of a stricken village - the damage is widespread but even this photo does not give a full idea of the vast scale of the problem facing rescue teams [Crown: L(Phot) Keith Morgan] 9: Medical teams from Save the Children are briefed on the current situation aboard HMS Daring in port at Cebu following two days of reconnaissance flights over the Philippines [Crown: L(Phot) Keith Morgan] 10: The power of the typhoon: here an overturned vessel is seen high on the 11 beach of the Philippines island of Estancia - many affected communities lie on the coast and as a consequence were badly hit by the storm [Crown: L(Phot) Keith Morgan]

11: Seen from the Lynx, an appeal for assistance on the playground at Hagdan on the island of Guinitacan which suffered extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure during Typhoon Haiyan [Crown: L(Phot) Keith Morgan] 12: On 17th November HMS Daring 13 loaded her stores at Cebu port with lifesaving humanitarian aid supplies and departed for remote islands which the command team had identified as being desperately in need of aid [Crown: AB(WS) Chris Oldland] 13: 18th November: At Hagdan a team of sailors set to work repairing the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roof which had been completely stripped of its corrugated iron sheets and cleared the inside of debris and stagnant water [Crown: L(Phot) Keith Morgan]

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Main Image: Jitka wearing my Niton Tactical Soft Shell Jacket on the sort of chilly and windy autumnal day it was designed specifically to cope with 1: Eclipse Epaulette in use 2: Eclipse Epaulette stowed 3: Inner document pocket

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The term Soft Shell is now pretty universally used for outer layer Polyester high density fabric garments which are light and comfortable to wear but also offer a degree of windbreaking and/or waterresistant properties without incorporating a hi-tech and usually costly breathable membrane. In the main their fabric is smooth to the touch on the outside and fleece-like on the inside, making them both smart and comfortable as well as very practical. Compared to the original 100% polyester 'fleece jacket' of twentyish years ago they are a quantum leap forward I know, as I dug out my midnineties fleece yesterday and wore it for a day to compare.

he Soft Shell Jacket I have been trialling for the last month or so is the latest one from the NITON Tactical range, which Phillipa their Marketing Director insisted we take a look at when we visited their stand at the Outdoor Trade Show at Stoneleigh back in September. Though primarily sold in Black for Police and Security personnel, this

4: Standing collar with hood removed - top of zipper can be concealed

5: Collar folded with rolled hood inside 6: Collar standing with hood stowed inside 7: Two way drawcords can pull peaked hood in around face and crown 8: There is an upper pocket with earpiece cable port on each arm Model - JITKA Images ÂŠ BOB MORRISON

four-way stretch fabric garment is also available in Sand for those operating in arid theatres, and as I have a forthcoming Middle East trip on the cards this is the colour I opted for. Jitka would have liked NITON to have sent one in her size, but as I got in first she had to make do with just wearing mine for the photoshoot (hence it being a size too large for her, as she fits M not XL). According to the sales blurb: "Made

from 100% polyester, high density fabric with 4-way stretch for superior durability and all-weather comfort, our Soft Shell Jacket repels wind and rain without slowing you down. Soft shell is a new fabric that is breathable, flexible and more comfortable than the stiffer fabrics that used to be used for all outerwear. This fabric moves with the body rather than constricting it and allows moisture to escape from inside without letting it penetrate from outside." I reckon that pretty much hits the nail on the head.

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What I really like about this one is all the little extra features, ranging from a removable or concealable hood zipped into the collar through to handwarmer pockets set high on the chest to double action lower side vents for belt equipment access to (three) upper and lower zipped sleeve pockets to inner document pockets. Inside each chest pocket you will find a small I-pod type pocket plus earpiece port for discrete use and a pen pocket as well as a plastic D-ring for attaching keys or other valuables. Velcro ID panels are provided on both upper sleeves and the cuffs close with tab & velcro fasteners. The zipoff removable peaked hood inside the collar, which is adjustable both

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around the face and around the crown, can be a bit bulky when stowed but can be a real boon in very cold weather so is well worth having. Lastly, this jacket also features the Eclipse Epaulette, designed by and exclusive to Niton; just pull the epaulette loop from the hidden compartment on the shoulder and button it down or you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the epaulettes on show simply thread them back into the hidden compartment. Very neat. Available in two colours and five sizes, from S to XXL, this Soft Shell Jacket (matching Soft Shell Trousers are also available) can be purchased online direct from niton999.co.uk or by phone on (UK) 01293 549 858. Highly Recommended.

9: Hand-warmer pockets are quite high on the chest 10: Main front zip is two-way fastening 11: D-ring, small pocket and earpiece cable port inside chest pocket 12: Pull side zip down to stick hand in pocket 13: Pull side zip up to access belt equipment - if worn

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