Combat and survival june 2014 by Sudden

Website: www.combatandsurvival.com Editor: Bob Morrison Designer: Emily Bedford Senior Correspondents: Carl Schulze & Yves Debay (R.I.P) Far East Correspondent: Gordon Arthur Firearms Tester: Greg Roberts Survival Specialist: Jason Polley Gear Tester: Mike Gormley Security Consultant: Robert Shaw 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 Cooperation NATIONS UNITED

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Bob Morrison takes a look behind the scenes at the UN’s five-nation Famagusta Camp

P19 Multinational Forces COLD RESPONSE

Carl Schulze ventures into the Arctic Circle to cover the Norwegian Invitational Exercise

P26 British Forces DUAL ROLE MWD

Bob Morrison reports on a newly introduced concept for Military Working Dogs

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

Bob Morrison heads to Scotland to photograph Dutch Marines on JOINT WARRIOR 14-1 Bob Morrison focuses on the uniform worn by RNLMC Assault Engineers from 24th CSS

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P38 Elite Forces 2 THE VAN DOOS

Carl Schulze photographs Canada’s Royal 22nd Regiment on a winter training exercise

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. 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.

P44 Survival TRAINING

Jason Polley returns as our regular Survival Specialist and goes right back to basics

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P29 Elite Forces 1 KORPS MARINIERS

P34 Kit & Camo 1 MARINE SAPPER

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P49 Firearms ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL

Greg Roberts takes an in-depth look at AT, AX & AMX sniper rifles in a two-part mini-series

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P58 Kit & Camo 2 UNFICYP UNIFORMS

Bob Morrison continues the mini-series with a look at a Slovakian Blue Beret

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P62 Survival Gear TRIED & TESTED

Mike Gormley trials a day sack, sleeping bag, soft shell jacket and foot & hand care products

P68 Security FLIGHT MH370

Robert Shaw ponders on the possible reasons and asks if we will ever know what happened

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P70 Rations Marching Ammo Pt.19 Bob Morrison unpacks a rare find Angolan Individual Combat Ration P05: Comms P56: Reviews P66: Working Knives

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June 14 Cover Image: © Bob Morrison © M.A.I. Publications 2014

Combat & Survival

In a break with tradition there is no COMMS column this month. The reason for this is that I am penning this on Bank Holiday Monday during a break in the MESOC (Middle East Special Operation Commanders) Conference, after spending the last three days photographing about three dozen Spec Ops teams from around the globe competing in the WARRIOR COMPETITION at the incredible King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center. After scooting back to KASOTC this afternoon to get the final results and watch the Awards Ceremony, I will be repacking my gear for a three day assignment at SOFEX (Spec Ops Forces Expo) 2014 to catch up with the latest new SF gear on display. If all goes to plan we should have some interesting SpecOps (and SF camouflage pattern) features for you in coming months - BM

Combat & Survival

Peace Keeping

In early March C&S spent a week on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus working with troops of several nationalities serving under command of Chinese Major General Chao Liu as part of the United Nations Force In Cyprus (UNFICYP). After visiting the Nicosia-based Mobile Force Reserve (MFR) and the Argentinian UN Air Flight (ARGAIR) in the UN Protected Area (UKPA), both of which we featured last month, we headed to the eastern end of the island to first receive a briefing on the mission, area of responsibility and composition of the Slovakianled UN Sector 4 before going on patrol in the Buffer Zone.

n 4th March 1964, under the unanimously adopted Resolution 186, the United Nations Security Council: called upon all Member States, in conformity with their obligations under the Charter of the United

Main Image: Two Serbian Blue Berets - the one nearest the camera is a Warrant Officer on a familiarisation patrol through Sector 4

1: The Buffer Zone in Sector 4 is less than 300 metres wide at its narrowest but about seven kilometres across at its widest point 2: These days most UN Observation Posts are unmanned but patrols still visit them regularly at random intervals to check for territory incursions

Nations, to refrain from any action or threat of action likely to worsen the situation in the sovereign Republic of Cyprus, or to endanger international peace; asked the Government of Cyprus, which had the responsibility for the maintenance and restoration of law and order, to take all additional measures necessary to stop violence and bloodshed in Cyprus; called upon the communities in

Combat & Survival

Peace Keeping

Cyprus and their leaders to act with the utmost restraint; recommended the creation, with the consent of the Government of Cyprus, of a United Nations Peace keeping Force in Cyprus; and recommended that the function of the Force should be, in the interest of preserving international peace and security, to use its best efforts to prevent a recurrence of fighting and, as necessary, to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions. Fifty years on, UNFICYP is still in place but, following the adoption of UNSCR 1568 in 2004, when it was decided that the political climate had thawed sufficiently, its military presence was reduced and its emphasis has

10 Combat & Survival

Main Image: Slovakian and Hungarian observers checking the front lines on either side of the Buffer zone near the Louroujina salient 3: I reckon these Hungarian and Slovakian peacekeepers are, from left, 2nd Lieutenant, Senior Sergeant 1st Class, Captain and Warrant Officer 1st Class

changed to liaison and mediation rather than interposition of forces. The 202-strong Blue Beret force responsible for the 95 kilometre long Sector 4 of the Buffer Zone between Turkish and Greek Cypriot front lines, stretching from Famagusta on the coast westwards to the outskirts of the capital Nicosia/Lefkosa, excluding the Soveign Base Area at Dekhelia, is led by Slovakia but also has sizeable Hungarian and Serbian contingents. The Slovakian commander and most of his national contingent are drawn from the Air Force, primarily but not exclusively their equivalent Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RAF Regiment, the Hungarians are Army personnel, and the Serbians are primarily Military Police. There are also two Croatian and two Ukrainian

Top right: Hungarian 4 UNFICYP personnel wear the national 4-colour arid theatre camo all year round but their Serbian colleagues wear 5-colour Digital Temperate over the winter 3: Hungarians are using an Isuzu 4x4 pick-up but the Serbians are using a Chevrolet LUV 4: It may wear a different grille but the Chevrolet LUV is actually a re-badged Isuzu D-MAX 5: For Slovakian uniform details turn to page 58

military personnel serving in Sector 4, but the latter were on scheduled leave at the time of our visit. During the current UN Mandate, which is up for review in July, the Sector 4 troop breakdown is 96 Slovakians, 57 Hungarians and 45 Serbians. One line company is deployed along both ceasefire lines of the sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Buffer Zone. One platoon, provided by the Hungarian contingent, is headquartered in Athienou and has responsibility for the western half of the Sector; a second platoon, provided by the Slovakians, is based in Dherinia and has responsibility for the eastern half, including the abandoned Varosha suburb of Famagusta; and a

third platoon is based in Pyla tasked with monitoring military activity in the only bi-communal village inside the buffer zone. Pyla, which nestles below high ground

Combat & Survival

Peace Keeping

Top left: Compare the Isuzu D-MAX in this shot with the Chevrolet LUV below

to the west of the British SBA at Dekhelia, is a reminder of how Cyprus used to be before inter-communal violence broke out in the middle of the Twentieth Century. Greek and Turkish Cypriots co-exist in the village and, although most facilities such as bar/cafe and church/mosque are duplicated side by side, daily life is as peaceful and unhurried as in any other Mediterranean village I have visited outside Cyprus.

Combat & Survival

When we visited the UN patrol base in the village square (unfortunately no photos allowed, due to the sensitivity) and asked the Blue Berets on duty if the air of normality was unusual, they told us that there is now much greater tolerance between the two sides. Indeed shortly before our visit one of the villages elders passed away and during the funeral pretty much the whole community came to a halt as

Below: Patrolling past the ruined village of Petrofani where bulletholes are still visible in the walls forty years on from the Turkish Intervention in July 1974 Images ÂŠ Bob Morrison

a mark of respect. However, although in Pyla the two different peoples can co-exist one should not assume that all is a bed of roses out in the rest of the Buffer Zone and UN personnel still have to be both skilled negotiators and keen observers to prevent what in other circumstances might be a disagreement between neighbours flaring up into an inter-communal dispute ... or worse. In addition to visiting Pyla we also joined a Slovakian vehicle patrol flying the flag through a 30 kilometre stretch of the Buffer Zone and met up with Hungarian and Serbian Blue Beret patrols liaising at the boundary of their individual areas of responsibility. By chance, we also ran into another Serbian patrol on a familiarisation tour prior to one of them taking over for the next roulement.

Joint training for public order duties - close inspection of uniforms reveals that both Slovakians and Serbians (in 3-colour desert camo) are participating [Slovakian MoD image] 6 Except in times of increased tension, a normal presence and reassurance patrol consists of two soldiers travelling in a 4x4 to ensure the comparatively small UN force covers as much ground as possible but to bolster the teams out on the ground the ARGAIR helicopters regularly fly random observation or reinforcing patrols along the line; something many troops look forward to taking part in. The Mobile Force Reserve, aboard their Tactica armoured personnel carriers, will also periodically deploy into the Sector to fly more flags but in the main it is the Slovakians and their Hungarian and Serbian colleagues who ensure tranquillity at the eastern end of the UN Buffer Zone. For the most part the UN mission in Sector 4 is low key and undramatic,

6: Our patrol through sector 4 was in a Slovakiancrewed Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J-120 7: When patrolling in the Buffer Zone all UNFICYP vehicles must fly the blue UN flag which is illuminated at night

with soldiers patrolling unarmed, even though there is a weapon for every Blue Beret in the armouries should they be needed, but when tensions on the island rise they have to be prepared for public disorder and crowd control so all are well trained for such eventualities.

Combat & Survival

1 OUR RECENT VISIT TO FAMAGUSTA’S UN CAMP GENERAL M R STEFANIK AT THE START OF OUT TOUR OF SECTOR 4 OF THE UNITED NATIONS BUFFER ZONE GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND CHAT TO MILITARY AND POLICE PERSONNEL FROM SEVERAL NATIONS WORKING IN HARMONY AS AN INTEGRATED FORCE TASKED WITH MAINTAINING PEACE AND STABILITY BETWEEN THE GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT ARMED FORCES AND CIVILIAN POPULATIONS AT THE EASTERN END OF CYPRUS. ALTHOUGH EACH SOLDIER OR POLICE OFFICER WEARS THE BLUE UNITED NATIONS BERET OR BASEBALL CAP AND THE CIRCULAR UN EMBLEM PATCH, OF A MAP OF THE WORLD INSCRIBED IN AN OLIVE WREATH, ON THE RIGHT UPPER SLEEVE, THEY DRESS IN THEIR NATIONAL UNIFORM AND WEAR NATIONAL INSIGNIA.

Combat & Survival

Main Image: From left: Hungarian NCO, Slovakian Police Major, Eire Police Officer, Serbian Major, Croatian Lieutenant Colonel and Slovakian 1st Lieutenant 1: There are military contingents from five nations based at Famagusta - during our visit the Ukrainian officers were on leave so we were unable to photograph their uniform and insignia 2: The white pip below the chevron indicates this Hungarian soldier to be a staff sergeant - the only patch worn on his left sleeve is his national flag

Images © BOB MORRISON

efore our foray out into the buffer zone we took the opportunity to photograph six of the team at Famagusta for our badge and uniform collector readers. In the accompanying photos we have focussed on the headgear - note the different cap / beret badges - and the upper left sleeve, where national insignia is worn. Each of the camouflage patterns (with the exception of Croatia) will be covered in a little more depth in our Kit & Camo UNFICYP mini-series over the next few issues.

Top Left: This Slovakian 1st Lieutenant wears his national flag above the SECTOR 4 multinational patch - his uniform is in the vz 2007 Pust camo pattern featured on page 58 of this issue 4

Top Right: The epaulettes denote that this Slovakian UNPOL officer is a major she wears a Police badge in her national colours on her upper left sleeve 3: This Croatian lieutenant colonel wears his national flag above his Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oružane Snage Republike Hrvatske) sleeve patch - he wears OSRH pixellated desert camo

4: This Irish UNPOL officer wears his national tricolour below his collar number epaulette and above his An Garda Síochána sleeve patch 5: This Serbian major’s rank slide is in the centre of his chest - he does not wear a national flag on his left sleeve and his patch is the shield from the centre of the Serbian Armed Forces coat of arms Combat & Survival

Multinational Forces

This Bv 309 Sjuktransportbandvagn ambulance also belonged to the vehicle fleet of the Swedish contingent that took part on Exercise COLD RESPONSE â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;14 Combat & Survival

Multinational Forces

The aim of exercise COLD RESPONSE, which is held every two years, is to train Norwegian and allied forces in military operations under challenging winter conditions and to strengthen cooperation between the forces of allied nations. This year’s exercise took place between the 7th and 21st of March 2014 and saw the participation of troops from 16 nations, including land, air, naval and special forces. Situated well above the Arctic Circle, the exercise area stretched from Bordø to Tromsø and also included Swedish territory.

Combat & Survival

Main Image: A French sniper engages Canadian troops - he is armed with a Fusil à Répétition F2 (FR F2) sniper rifle 1: Canadian troops taking part in the exercise mostly belonged to the 3rd Battalion, The Royal 22e Régiment ‘Van Doos’

Swedish Stridsvagn 122 main battle tanks of the Norbottens Regemente I19 advance along the E6 highway, one of the main communication lines of northern Norway

OLD RESPONSE 2014 was the sixth of the Norwegian-led exercises to which Norway regularly invites both NATO partners and nations that participate in the Partnership for Peace programme. The first COLD RESPONSE exercise was organised by the Scandinavian country in 2006 and back then 10,000 troops from eleven nations took part. The next exercises in the series followed in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012. With 16,000 participants from 16 nations, this year’s exercise is the largest COLD RESPONSE to date. The following nations participated: Belgium (770), Denmark (77), Germany (570), Estonia (22), France (1,220), United Kingdom (785), Ireland (8), Canada (810), Latvia (23), Lithuania (6), the Netherlands (1,440), Norway (7,850), Poland (328), Sweden (1,473)

2: Dutch Marines engage 4 dismounted Norwegian armoured infantry during heavy fighting along Route Switzerland (2) and the USA (930). 851 on the 18th - the Another 280 personnel participating in Marine in the foreground the exercise belonged to NATO HQ and is armed with a Colt Licht units. The exercise involved land, air and Ondersteunend Automatisch naval forces as well as a 1,300-strong Wapen light support weapon Special Forces contingent.

3: LAV-25 A2 vehicles of the USMC 2nd Light Armored Until now most of the COLD RESPONSE Reconnaissance Battalion advance on high ground exercises were focused on conducting stabilisation operations but the scenario the main armament of the vehicle is a 25mm M242 of this year’s exercise differed, being Bushmaster automatic mainly centred on high intensity warcannon fighting operations. The force-on-force

FREE PLAY

field training exercise that was mainly conducted on civilian land outside military training areas was free play, allowing the commanders of the Blue and Red exercise forces at all levels as much freedom to make their own decisions as possible. The mission of the Blue forces was to

4: This Swedish Luftvärnskanonvagn 9040 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun is taking up a new position while Blue is fighting a delaying battle in order to slow down the Red counter-attack

re-establish the integrity of the borders of a country after the armed forces of a neighbouring country had invaded one of its provinces; the area in question having had a long history of ethnic tension. The dispute about its ownership also was a result of the rich natural resources discovered in the region. The combat stage of the exercise was mainly divided in two phases. In the first phase Blue conducted its attack in order to expel the Red invading forces, while these first fought a delaying battle and then moved into defensive positions. Under the second phase of the exercise

Combat & Survival

Multinational Forces

5 Red began its counter-attack from the 16th onwards, with Blue now fighting a delaying battle before moving into defensive positions.

RED AND BLUE LAND FORCES While the exercise involved all three arms of service plus Special Forces, we will only take a closer look at the land forces involvement. The Red land forces were mainly provided by the Brigade North, which is the only remaining combat forces brigade of the Norwegian Army after a major restructuring over the last two decades. While on the last COLD RESPONSE exercises the brigade was usually split up with its units assigned to different sides, in 2014 it operated almost entirely as a complete formation for the first time, providing its brigade commander with the rather unique possibility of commanding his entire force on a field training exercise. Major units of the Brigade North that took part in the exercise were: the Bardufoss based Brigade HQ, the Setermoen based Panserbataljon the Rena based Telemarkbataljon, the Skold based 2. Bataljon, the Setermoen based Artilleribataljon, the Skold based Ingeniørbataljon, the Setermoen based ISTAR Bataljon, the Bardufoss based Sambandsbataljon, the Setermoen based Sanitetsbataljon, the Bardufoss based Stridstrenbataljonen, the Rena based Kampeskadron, the Rena based Haerens Befalsskole and the Bardufoss based Militaerpoltikompaniet. For the duration of the exercise a

Combat & Survival

Main Image: Dutch engineers, assigned to the Red forces, clear a path through a minefield - note their YPR 765 A1 Pantser Rups Genie (PRGN) engineer section vehicle in the background 5: Swedish mortar teams conduct a fire mission - the mortar used is a 120mm Grk 12cm m/41which has an effective range of six kilometres and can fire up to ten rounds a minute 6: A Dutch Landing Craft Utility (LCU) brings ashore heavy equipment for the Dutch Beach Master Unit, including a Werklust WG18E bucket loader fitted with a laying system for metal trackways

battalion-size French mountain infantry battlegroup was assigned to the Norwegian brigade. Some 400-strong, it consisted of elements of the 27e Brigade d’Infanterie de Montagne (27 BIM), including an HQ element of the 27e Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins, mountain infantry companies of the 13e Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins and the 27e Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins, an engineer platoon of the 2e Régiment Étranger de Génie, JTAC Teams of the 93e Régiment d’Artillerie de Montagne and signals of the 27eCompagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions de Montagne. The Blue land forces were formed into a Multinational Brigade that also included a strong amphibious

component. The bulk of the personnel for the multinational HQ of the brigade was provided by the Norbottens Regemente I19 of the Swedish Army. This regiment also provided a 900strong armoured battlegroup for the brigade that included elements of its 192 Mekaniserade Bataljonen, 193 Jägerbataljonen, 101 Insatskompaniet and 10 Hemvärnsbataljonen. Also

under command of the Multinational Brigade was a Canadian light infantry battlegroup, of which the personnel mainly belonged to the 3rd Battalion, The Royal 22e Régiment ‘Van Doos’ see page 38. The British component of the Multinational Brigade consisted of a some 300-strong Royal Marines battlegroup combined from elements of 40 Commando Royal Marines and 42 Commando Royal Marines, with the latter also providing the HQ element. The amphibious forces were provided by a 500-strong battlegroup of the Dutch Korps Mariniers, operating from aboard of the landing platform dock HNLMS Rotterdam. Also part of the amphibious force was a reinforced company-size task force of US Marines, including troops of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and the 2nd Supply Battalion.

MINEFIELDS, AMPHIBIOUS LANDINGS AND MECHANISED COMBAT On 12th March the combat phase of COLD RESPONSE ‘14 commenced with the attack of the Blue forces in the early hours. Along two axes, the Blue forces pushed into the territory previously invaded by Red. The armoured battlegroup of the Norbottens Regemente I19 advanced along the E6 highway, one of the main lines of communication of northern Norway. From Fossbacken the Stridsvagn 122 main battle tanks

Main Image: Norwegian Leopard 2A4NO MBTs of the Panserbataljon, which feature a 120mm smoothbore tank gun, provide overwatch while other tanks advance over a bridge during the Red counter-attack 7: At high speed a Norwegian Leopard 2A4NO MBT crosses the E6 highway - during the field training exercise a lot of the fighting took place along this vital line of communication in northern Norway 8: Here a NM201F3 Ildlederpanservogn JTAC/Observation Post Vehicle of the Brigade North can be seen with its mast mounted sensor head deployed monitoring positions of Blue forces

and CV9040B armoured infantry fighting vehicles supported by engineer assets pushed in the direction of Bardufoss.

Around the same time on the second axis, along the coastlines of the Lavangen and Sagfjord, the Canadians began their attack reinforced by a mixed SwedishNorwegian armoured infantry company. The Royal Marines battlegroup was deployed in the mountainous terrain between the two main axes, moving cross-country on skis through the difficult terrain and serving as a link between the attacking formations. With relatively few forces, Red fought a delaying battle along the E6 and the coastline, slowing down the enemy advance again and again with minefields and ambushes. Along the E6 the Panserbataljon of the Brigade North was employed while the French mountain infantry battlegroup was deployed along the coastline. On 14th March the attack of Blue was reinforced by an amphibious landing conducted by the Dutch Marines in the vicinity of Sorreisa, deep behind the flank of the enemy lines. Around the same time the Canadian troops were also reinforced by the USMC company-size task force.

By 16th March the Blue forces had pushed back the Red forces onto a line along the Malselve river, but did not manage to capture the important bridges over the river at Olsborg and Rundhaug. The first phase of the exercise saw the forces involved not only fighting against their opponents but also against the harsh weather conditions. These were extremely dangerous, as it was raining during the initial days, drenching troops and equipment.

Combat & Survival

Swedish CV9040B armoured infantry fighting vehicles of the Norbottens Regemente I19 have deployed along a tree line - the CV9040B is fitted with a 40mm 40/70Bc Bofors automatic cannon

Multinational Forces

During the nights the temperatures then dropped to well below zero, a combination that certainly would have caused countless cold weather injuries such as frostbite if proper care had not been taken. It was during this time that the troops changed the name of the exercise to WET RESPONSE. However, the days of rain were followed by two days of heavy snow with eight inches (200mm) falling in one night alone. As a result of this the avalanche risk in the mountains became an issue that had to be taken into account.

COUNTER-ATTACK In the late afternoon of the 16th the Brigade North had begun its counterattack. During the following night heavy fighting took place between Rundhaug and Bardufoss. Here the Panserbataljon attacked positions of the Royal Marines battlegroup. The Royal Marines with their Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon Systems Javelin gave the Norwegians quite a tough nut to crack. In fact the fire and forget top attack LFATGWS Javelin proved to be a game changer for the armoured infantry assets of Red forces. The CV9030N AIFV were no match for the LFATGWS Javelin and were knocked out regularly. As a result the infantry had to dismount at quite a distance, close in onto the British positions and clear them before the armoured vehicles could follow unharmed. Parallel to the attack of the Panserbataljon the combined tank companies of the Panserbataljon and the Telemarkbataljon began to attack with their Leopard 2A4NO main battle

Combat & Survival

tanks along the E6 from Olsborg into the direction of Bardufoss. Further to the West along the coastline the rest of the Telemarkbataljon began to push the Blue forces back, expelling them from Sorreisa. While Blue successfully fought a delaying battle in the next days, Red managed to continue with its attack gaining more and more ground. When Blue forces conducted an amphibious landing on the 18th, again in the vicinity of Sorreisa, the Red forces were seriously troubled for the first time. This time it was the turn of the US Marines to go ashore; they had previously boarded the Dutch landing platform dock HNLMS Rotterdam and now were brought ashore by Dutch LCVP and LCU landing crafts. Among the troops landed were an element of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion equipped with LAV-25 A2 light armoured reconnaissance vehicles. Also on the 18th, Red forces conducted a large heliborne assault in the vicinity of Setermoen in order to regain the momentum of its attack. During the operation the complete French mountain infantry battlegroup was air-lifted forward in several waves by Norwegian Bell 412 utility helicopters. On the afternoon of the 18th heavy fighting took place along the Route 851 between Sjovegan and Brandvoll. Here the mechanised infantry of the Telemarkbataljon tried to fight its way through a series of Blue defensive lines manned by the Canadian light infantry, the Dutch Marines and armoured infantry assets of the Norbottens Regemente I19. The fighting continued up to the time the combat phase of Exercise COLD RESPONSE 2014 ended, during the night of 18th and 19th of March.

Supported by CV9030N armoured infantry fighting vehicles Norwegian armoured infantry attacks enemy positions held by Dutch Marines 9

9: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the Snow Monster wants 10 to get you, it will get you!â&#x20AC;? After slipping off the road a CV9030N AIFV is recovered with the winch of a Leopard 1 based NM217 armoured recovery vehicle 10: While his comrades storm an enemy position a Norwegian machine-gunner provides covering fire with his 5.56mm 11 MINIMI light machinegun 11: The Dutch Navy landing platform dock HNLMS Rotterdam served as operational platform for the amphibious forces of the Multinational Brigade - here an LCU is just returning to the ship

British Forces

Combat & Survival

The Dual Role MWD (Military Working Dog) is a force multiplier as it and its handler give the infantry section or multiple a fourlegged additional Manoeuvre and Strike capability drill weapons were used in this demo

Insurgents open fire on an infantry section accompanied by a Search dog which has also been trained in the Strike role 2

At the recent media facility during Exercise GRIFFIN HERALD, at which C&S was briefed on the composition of the new Force Troops Command structure (see page 72 of last month’s issue), we were also introduced to the new concept of the Dual Role Military Working Dog (MWD). Luffenham-based 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, which we covered in some detail in our August 2011 issue, is one of the constituent parts of Aldershotbased 29 EOD&S (Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search) Regiment which in turn is part of Minley-based 8 Engineer Brigade under command of the new Force Troops Command organisation.

ack in 2011 Carl introduced us to High Assurance Search Dogs, introduced shortly beforehand as an Urgent Operational Requirement for the Afghanistan theatre. Another canine UOR for operations in Helmand Province was the Improvised Explosive Device Detection Dog. These new MWD classifications were additions to the more conventional and familiar search and guard dog categories which have existed for some time and required highly special-

ist training for those dogs selected for the crucial frontline roles. With what UK MoD sees as being the successful conclusion of Operation HERRICK now being superseded by training for Contingency Operations, based on lessons learned in Afghanistan the Dual Role MWD concept has been introduced to combine Strike and Manoeuvre capabilities in one force multiplication package. In the Manoeuvre role the MWD is able to investigate routes ahead of infantry patrols to detect any surface laid and buried IEDs or to search areas, compounds and vehicles for explosives or ammunition, but it is also trained to defend the patrol in the Strike role, with or without word of command, plus it can also attack and detain the enemy on command. The DR MWD is a bespoke asset which can be modified to order, with its basic ability to both search and bite being expandable to include other disciplines such as tracking or weapons search. It also has the ability to be trained to locate new explosive threat odours in a matter of days, thereby ensuring heightened Force Protection levels and giving the ground commander an exceptional additional asset.

1: The Dual Role MWD handler releases his dog which until now had been trying to detect any Improvised Explosive Devices buried ahead of the advancing troops

2: Off like a rocket when commanded by the handler, the MWD races straight for the insurgents who have just taken a shot at the troops 3: A sandbagged sangar is cleared in one bound as the working dog goes in for the take-down

4: One insurgent has vacated the sangar but the other was not fast enough to escape the MWD which is doing its best to ensure he doesn’t flee too 5: Once the insurgent has been detained the MWD reverts to its Search role and its attention is turned to the insurgents’ nearby vehicle ... where it quickly detects hidden explosives in the wheel arch Combat & Survival

Elite Forces

1 The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC), the amphibious infantry component of the Netherlands Maritime Force (NLMARFOR), is a near 3000-strong selfsufficient brigade capable of undertaking autonomous operations anywhere in the world. Deployable within 48 hours, its primary mission is to participate in international NATO and United Nations peacekeeping and peace support operations. Normally the Dutch Marines work very closely with other NATO nations and over the last forty years they have played a major part in NATOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s United Kingdom/Netherlands Landing Force (UK/NL LF). In late March and early April the Korps Mariniers participated on Exercise JOINT WARRIOR 14-1 with 3 Commando Brigade.

he core of the reconfigured RNLMC brigade is two Marine Combat Groups, 1 MCG and 2MCG, each numbering 726 troops and consisting of a headquarters plus six squadrons (i.e. company strength formations). One of the squadrons is tasked in the Reconnais-

Main Image: Dutch Marines, like their British cousins, use winterised and waterproofed variants of the Land Rover 110 XD Wolf - 7.62mm GPMG mount is specific to RNLMC Land Rovers 1: RNLMC BvS10 Viking armoured troop carrier rolls of a Dutch LCU (Landing Craft Utility) at the Luce Bay beachhead

2: Dutch Marines BvS10 Vikings are virtually identical to those used by 3 Commando Brigade Images ÂŠ BOB MORRISON

Combat & Survival

Elite Forces

sance, Surveillance & Target Acquisition role and there are three Raiding Squadrons which are supported by a Combat Support Squadron and a Combat Service Support Squadron. The other two of the brigade’s four conventional battalion-equivalent formations are the Surface Assault & Training Group and the Seabased Support Group, plus the Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces provides the Korps Mariniers with a fifth, conventional and non-conventional forces, battalion under direct command. The SA&TG includes a headquarters element plus: an Amphibious Support Group, a Fast Raiding Interception & SF Craft Squadron, a Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Troop, a Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) Troop, a Light Landing Craft Control Team and a Heavy Landing Craft Control Team. The SSG includes a headquarters element plus: an Equipment Support Troop, a Weapons & Ammo Troop, a Workshop & Transport Troop, and a Communications Information Systems Troop. The other RNLMC component is the independent 32nd Company, stationed on the Dutch island of Aruba in the southern Caribbean off the north coast of Venezuela. The two Marine Combat Groups are the primary operational formations of the brigade and are standalone light infantry battalions with fully integrated fire support and logistical support; normally one MCG is allocated to

Combat & Survival

Main Image: A British Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle gives a Dutch Landing Craft Utility a gentle nudge off the beach - note HMNLS Johan de Witt , sister of HMNLS Rotterdam, anchored 5km offshore 3: Dutch Viking climbing up from the beach - the recent winter storms reconfigured the Luce Bay shoreline from previous years and created some interesting challenges 4: Royal Marines beach party supervises unloading of BV206 and BvS10 tracked vehicles from a Dutch Landing Craft Utility

each of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s two Rotterdam Class LPD (Landing Platform Dock) assault ships. An MCG can either be used independently or can provide mutual support for its sister MCG, but it can also operate as a component within the UK/NL Landing Force alongside Royal Navy ships and Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade. If necessary, the MCG can provide conventional back-up to the Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces (NLMARSOF) but its main roles are:• Amphibious Operations; from aboard amphibious vessels, to undertake NonCombatant Evacuation Operations or to conduct combat assaults from the sea using landing craft and helicopters. • Maritime Security Operations; to protect

The unarmoured HĂ¤gglunds BV206 - this is a mortar carrier variant - is still used by the Dutch Marines, especially for support and logistics roles Dutch national interests, including protection of merchant shipping against pirates. â&#x20AC;˘ Stabilisation and Crisis Management Operations; anywhere in the world at short notice, usually working in conjunction with other NATO or UN partners.

5: Stop group with machinegun-armed Land Rover and Viking on overwatch of the coast road to the south of the beachhead

Surface Assault & Training Group (SATG) provides fast and manoeuvrable vessels to support the deployment of the MCGs in general and the Raiding Squadrons in particular, operating independently from an Amphibious Forward Operating Base or from naval vessels. Their LCU and LCVP vessels are of a different type to those used by the Royal Marines, but they are similar in both dimensions and capacity meaning they can operate equally from either Dutch or British amphibious landing ships and transport men and materiel from either nation. The roughly 100strong Seabased Support Group (SSG) is the logistics element which allows the Dutch Marines to operate independently for extended periods, of at least thirty days, by supplying food, ammunition and fuel etc. from fleet to shore.

6: These armed soft top Wolf Land Rovers, converted by Ricardo, perform the same recce and fire support roles as Royal Marines R-WMIK+ Land Rovers 7: Another view of a mortar variant BV206 in travelling configuration - the cab unit seats four Marines allowing mobility for a 3-man mortar team plus driver

On Exercise JOINT WARRIOR 14-1, which we will cover in more detail

Combat & Survival

Elite Forces

Main Image: Setting up the mortar line above the beachhead just minutes after arriving ashore by LCU stabilisers between loadbed and tracks lock up the suspension for firing 8: The medium mortar used by the Dutch Marines - they use 60mm light and 120mm heavy mortars too - is the British 81mm L16 A2

9: Canopy rolled back to reveal mortar - the weapon can be fired from the rear loadbed, or dismounted if necessary, and spare rounds can be carried on the vehicle too 10: HMNLS Johan de Witt, seen through my longest lens, was anchored 4800 metres away - HMS Bulwark and RFA Mounts Bay were the other amphibious force ships participating in this phase

Combat & Survival

over the next couple of issues, the 2nd Marine Combat Group from the amphibious assault ship HNLMS Johan de Witt formed part of the Lead Commando Group with 40 Commando Royal Marines and went ashore in Luce Bay near Stranraer on the morning of 31st March. While two companies from 40 Cdo captured and secured the airfield at Castle Kennedy in a two-pronged assault, by RAF Chinook helicopter and in BvS10 Viking armoured personnel carriers, Dutch Marines secured the beachhead perimeter and set up a mortar battery to provide fire support for their British brothers. The accompanying images were taken during a four hour period on the first morning, during a brief window in the weather and before dense sea fog reduced visibility. A Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation was mounted 24 hours later.

Kit & Camo Special

Combat & Survival

Kit & Camo Special

From the mid-eighties onwards those Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC) personnel serving with the battalion which formed the core of the Dutch element of NATO’s UK/NL Landing Force wore combat uniforms in a slight colour variation of British DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) temperate or woodland camouflage fabric; however the other Marine battalion wore uniforms in the US M81 Woodland pattern. As part of the gradual restructuring of the Korps Mariniers following the early 1990s break-up of the Soviet Union DPM camo was phased out and these days M81 Woodland camo is worn across the Corps for most exercises and deployments.

he Dutch Marine featured this month is an Assault Engineer from 14 Close Support Squadron of1 Marine Combat Group photographed on the beachhead at Luce Bay near Stranraer during the initial amphibious landing phase of Exercise JOINT WARRIOR 14-1. The single low

Combat & Survival

The primary personal weapon carried by this Dutch Marine sapper is the 5.56mm Colt Canada (formerly Diemaco) C8A1 carbine and his secondary weapon is the Glock 17M 9mm pistol which is carried here on his right thigh in a Blackhawk holster. The camouflage image above right is the back of this Marine’s M81 combat blouse. Images © BOB MORRISON Military Scene

visibility chevron shoulder tabs signify that he is a Marine 1st Class (Royal Marine equivalent would be Lance Corporal) and he wears the KORPS MARINIERS black on light khaki shoulder title at the top of the left sleeve of his BDU-style (i.e. US Battle Dress Utility) combat shirt. The Woodland camouflage pattern worn here is identical to the US M81 four-colour design of reddish brown, subdued grass green and black on a light tan background which was used by the US Army, USMC and US Air Force for non-desert theatres from the 1980s through to the introduction of the unsuccessful Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) in 2004. This M81 pattern is a derivative of the post-WWII era ERDL (Engineer Research and Development Laboratory) scheme which went through a couple of evolutions with one of these being used by US Marines in Vietnam. Like pre-UCP American combats, the Dutch shirt (blouse) and trousers

(pants) are manufactured from a durable polycotton ripstop fabric. Normally a matching helmet cover would be worn. Webbing on this Marine is in the coyote brown shade but others on the same exercise wore olive green or woodland pattern; for variations see the feature on pages 29-32. The boots worn here are black Meindls but I also spotted several Dutch Marines wearing similar brown boots stamped Meindl MFSystem. Protective eyewear is the Sawfly model by Revision, with the yellow lenses which increase contrast in overcast light or misty conditions. At present although the Dutch Army still mostly wears DPM a number of prototype digital patterns have been fielded to a limited extent and the KCT (Korps Commando Troepen) Special Forces have operationally deployed in MultiCam in Afghanistan, plus Army Special Forces have been seen wearing the commercial A-TACS AU (Arid/Urban) digital pattern, so it is presumed that M81 Woodland will soon be phased out by the RNLMC.

Elite Forces

The Royal 22e Régiment is one of the French-speaking infantry units of the Canadian Army, nicknamed the ‘Van Doos’ which is an Anglicized version of vingt-deux (twenty-two). The 3rd Battalion of The Royal 22e Régiment is a light infantry formation that includes a high ratio of parachutetrained personnel. Between 7th and 21st March, elements of the battalion took part in Exercise COLD RESPONSE 2014 held in northern Norway. While following the exercise C&S bumped into the elite Canadian troops again and again.

8th March, 12:45 hours, Strokkenes, 2.5km east of Sjovegan, on Route 851. From their positions along a ridge the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion of The Royal 22e Régiment have a good view onto the bridge in the valley below. The structure spans across a waterway that links the Ovrevatnet lake with the Nervatnet lake and is of great importance for both the Multinational Task Force of the Blue exercise forces, to which the Canadians belong, and the Brigade North of the Norwegian Army, which is providing most of the opposing Red forces on the exercise.

Combat & Survival

Main Image: Wearing snow camouflage suits over their combats soldiers of the 3rd Battalion armed with 5.56mm C7A2 Automatic Rifles fight their way through a wood in northern Norway held by French troops 1: In an ambush position soldiers of the Royal 22e Régiment armed with a 7.62mm C6 Medium Machine Gun and a 66mm M72 Light AntiArmour Weapon await the arrival of a column of enemy armour Images ©

CARL SCHULZE

While Blue forces need to keep the bridge intact and in their possession in order to allow launching a counter-attack, Red forces need to capture the bridge in order to thrust further into enemy held-territory. Earlier on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Van Doosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; had beaten off a first attack of enemy mechanised infantry, but it seems only a matter of time before the Red forces will try again to take the bridge, so the Canadians keep a low profile in their positions that have been dug deeply into the snow. Prior to the first contact with the enemy, only sentries had been posted in order to allow the bulk of the troops to rest and shelter from the decidedly sub-zero temperatures, but now everybody is in their place. All over the area soldiers armed with 5.56mm C7A2 Automatic Rifles (some of which are fitted with 40mm M203 Underslung Grenade Launchers), 5.56mm C9A2 Light Machine Guns (LMG), 7.62mm C6 Medium Machine Guns and 66mm M72 Light Anti-Armour Weapons monitor the other bank of the waterway for any signs of enemy movement. From high ground, deployed in the front gardens of buildings, teams armed with 40mm C16 Automatic Grenade Launcher Systems cover the approach to the bridge on the opposite side. On this side of the waterway soldiers armed with 84mm Carl Gustav Medium Range Anti Armour Weapons are in position along the road passing over the bridge to take out any armoured vehicle that manages to cross. It is quiet around the bridge, with the only noise being the occasional crackle of

Main Image: 18th 2 March, 12:45 hours, Strokkenes,along Route 851 - from positions on a ridge Canadian troops bring heavy small arms fire to bear against Norwegian infantry trying to cross a crucial bridge 2: Mobility for most of the Canadian contingent was provided by Norwegian Bv 206 tracked articulated all-terrain carriers - this one is fitted with a Canadian 40mm C16 Automatic Grenade Launcher 3: A Canadian antitank team equipped with an 84mm Carl Gustav Medium Range Anti Armour Weapon waits to engage Norwegian armour once it is crossing a key bridge that spans over a waterway

a radio and the sounds caused by a strong breeze.

Then, suddenly, the silence is disturbed by the screaming of engines and the rattle of metal tracks. At high speed CV8030N Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles of the Norwegian Telemark Battalion emerge from dead ground, dash across the fields deeply covered in snow and head for the bridge. While on the move, the AIFVs engage some of the Canadian positions with their 30mm automatic cannons and coaxial machine guns. The blank fire is answered by a wave of flares indicating the use of anti-tank weapons by the Canadians. Close to the bridge the CV9030N carriers stop, disgorging their load of infantrymen. The Norwegian dismounts now are greeted

Combat & Survival

The Van Doos soon renamed the exercise WET RESPONSE 2014 - here the name was been written in the snow sticking to the rear of a Bv 206 tracked articulated all-terrain carrier

Elite Forces

by heavy Canadian small arms fire. Despite this they make their way over the bridge, covered by fire from the CV9030N. Once on the other side they immediately begin to storm the ridge held by the Canadians. For the next fifteen minutes fierce fighting takes place around the Canadian positions and between the houses on the ridge. It is now the umpires’ turn to decide if the Norwegian attack was successful or if the ‘Van Doos’ have beaten it off a second time.

CANADIAN ARMY CONTINGENT The Canadian Army took part in Exercise COLD RESPONSE 2014 with a total of 351 troops, the bulk of these originating from the 3rd Battalion of The Royal 22e Régiment light infantry battalion belonging to the 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (CMBG) and based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier in Quebec. The remaining troops were drawn from other units of the 5 CMBG, as well as from the 5 Military Police Platoon also based at CFB Valcartier and the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre (CMTC) based at CFB Wainwright. The personnel of the CMTC served as umpires while members of the 5 Military Police Platoon joined a Multinational Military Police Task Force that cooperated closely with the local police force and, among other tasks, ensured traffic safety while the exercise was on, as it mainly took part outside training areas and on public ground. During the exercise some Canadian officers also served in the HQ of the Multinational Brigade of the Blue Forces. In preparation for the exercise in northern Norway the Canadian troops were put through Exercise

Combat & Survival

4: A FOO/ FAC party carefully scans the bank of a Norwegian fjord for enemy activity - the Vectronix Vector laser rangefinder binoculars are connected to an AN/PSN13 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver 5: While the bulk of the troops of the Royal 22e Régiment were armed with the 5.56mm C7A2 Automatic Rifle this soldier has a short barrel 5.56mm C8A3 Carbine with 3.4x28 magnification C79 Optical sight

RAFALE BLANCHE held in Beauce, Quebec, in February 2014.

MULTINATIONAL BATTALION GROUP During COLD RESPONSE ‘14 the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion of The Royal 22e Régiment formed the core of the Multinational Battalion Group that also involved Norwegian and Swedish troops. The MBG belonged to the Multinational Brigade of the Blue Forces and was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Jourdain, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion. Within the Group the Canadian battalion provided the HQ, two Light Infantry Companies, a Combat Support Company, an Engineer Section, a Forward Observation Officer/ Forward Air Controller element and a Combat Service Support Platoon. Mobility for the 100-strong Canadian light infantry companies was provided by Bv 206 tracked articulated all-terrain carriers borrowed from the Norwegian Army. The Combat Support Company numbered some 55 troops and included, among other assets, a reconnaissance platoon and several sniper teams. The Engineer Section numbered 16 troops and was mainly equipped for mine clearing tasks. The FOO/FAC element counted eight troops and coordinated artillery and fire support for the troops of the MBG. Logistics and transportation support for the force was provided by the 27 troops of the Combat Service Support Platoon. The Canadian troops were reinforced by a Norwegian Armoured Infantry Company equipped with CV9030N Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles. This company, in turn,

Main Image: The 5.56mm C7A2 Automatic Rifle of the Van Doos soldier in the foreground is fitted with a 40mm M203 Underslung Grenade Launcher 6: Canadian troops patrol the high ground along a Norwegian fjord - they are wearing waterproofs in Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) over their combats 7: Using an 84mm Carl Gustav Medium Range was reinforced by a platoon of Swedish Anti Armour Weapon Canadian Armoured Infantry from the Norbottens Regemente I 19 equipped with CV9040B troops engage AIFVs. a Norwegian AIFV during FIGHTING ALONG THE the fighting in COASTLINE Sjovegan In the beginning COLD RESPONSE

‘14 saw the Blue forces conducting Combat & Survival

Elite Forces

From high ground, deployed in the front gardens of buildings, teams armed with 40mm C16 Automatic Grenade Launcher Systems cover the approach to the bridge over the waterway that links two lake.

offensive operations up to the 16th of March 2014. During this time the Multinational Brigade attacked along two axes, one being the E6 highway running from Fossbakken to Olsborg, where the heavy armour was employed. The second axis, where the Canadian-led group was employed, ran along the coast to the west of the E6. While pushing along their axis the Canadians had to fight through villages such as Sjovegan, Medby and finally Sorreisa, most of the time being opposed by French forces of the 27e Brigade dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Infanterie de Montagne. During the fighting the Canadians fought in close cooperation with the Norwegian and Swedish AIFVs. Usually the AIFVs were in the lead in more open areas, while the Canadian infantry took the lead when villages or other confined space lay ahead. But fighting the French was not the only challenge during the first days of the exercise, as the unusually warm climate for this time of the year in northern Norway resulted in a lot of heavy rain combined with stormy winds. With the troops coming from Canada, where a lot of snow fell during this winter, they were soon joking that the exercise should be renamed WET RESPONSE 2014. However, due to the weather the soldiers had to take extreme care of themselves and their kit, as getting wet during the day and having temperatures drop well below zero during the night can quickly result in frost bite and other troubles. The joking about â&#x20AC;&#x153;WET RESPONSE was soon ended when heavy snowfall started during the last days of the offensive phase, with 40cm falling in one

Combat & Survival

8: This column of Canadian operated Bv 206 tracked articulated allterrain carriers was seen during a lull in the fighting of the offensive phase - note that the first vehicle is fitted with a 40mm C16 AGLS 9: A gunner manning a H&K 40mm C16 Automatic Grenade Launcher System stands at the ready to engage advancing enemy troops - the C16 AGLS first entered Canadian service in 2012 10: Canadian fire team await the order to open fire on advancing Norwegian infantry they are armed with a 56mm C7A2 fitted with a 40mm M203 Underslung Grenade Launcher and a 5.56mm C9A2 LMG

night alone. From 16th to 18th March the Blue forces then were put into the defensive with the mission to hold as much of the gained terrain as possible. For the Canadians this meant that they were now fighting a delaying battle against superior Norwegian armoured forces, most of them belonging to the elite Telemark Battalion. The final engagement of the exercise for the Canadians was fought in the vicinity of Sjovegan. First the Van Doos managed to hold the town for quite a while and later on they again engaged the Norwegian troops to the south and east of the village, fighting from well chosen blocking positions.

GOOD TRAINING While from the political point of view Exercise COLD RESPONSE 2014 was a perfect possibility for the Canadian government to show its will to cooperate with NATO Allies and to

promote relations with Norway, for the participating Canadian troops of the Van Doos it was a perfect opportunity to train in cooperation with foreign forces during winter war-fighting activities at a tactical level.

Survival

You know that what lies ahead is uncertain, perhaps life threatening. You know back-up will be either nonexistent or minimal. How do you prepare yourself, what skills and knowledge could you – should you – set about acquiring?

urvival training is the best form of insurance against the unknown, and will keep you alive when equipment and people let you down which, sadly, they often do. You need to plan ahead, and get the appropriate skills and knowledge before you need it. Survival training takes several different forms; let’s start with actual survival courses.

SURVIVAL COURSES Most civilian courses run over either a long weekend or a week. Many offer follow-up advanced level training. You will be taught how to build shelters and fires, and how to collect and purify water. You will probably be shown some edible plants common to the area you are in. You usually sleep in a shelter you made by yourself. Animal traps and snares are set early on, as you are not usually given any food to eat on these courses; you get hungry pretty quickly! Bringing your own food defeats

Combat & Survival

Main Image: The wilderness - you cannot always predict the future, but you can prepare for it

1: Constantly practise making fires - from basic materials and under varying conditions 2: Practise shelter building in different seasons and in different terrain Images ©

JENNIFER POLLEY

the object of the lesson. You need to appreciate the effects of hunger. You become irritable and fatigued, and building a shelter or foraging for berries becomes very difficult. You need to understand the importance of rationing calories. You don’t want to spend hundreds of calories collecting food that generates only twenty calories. Use natural features when making a shelter, and build as little as possible from scratch.

must address it before incapacitated by fatigue.

You learn first-hand that snares are often ignored for days and that fruit trees are either nowhere to be seen, or simply out of season. In a real survival situation you need to appreciate catching and collecting food is a hard, time-consuming task and therefore you

Courses are generally military in style, but there are some more bushcraftorientated courses out there too. Be clear as to which type you prefer. The Classified section of C&S runs some adverts of course providers. Most organisers will send you a kit list and

Main Image: Having a positive mental attitude and seeing opportunities, not obstacles, will always aid your survival

3: Practice at improvising and adapting for when the right equipment is not available

programme beforehand. Regular outdoors people need to complement their survival training with courses in outdoor pursuits. Courses in mountaineering, orienteering, sailing, canoeing, etc. also need to be undertaken. They could give you the edge when Plan A has to be abandoned. In my opinion you must also complete a First Aid course. Ensure you also know how to deal with common problems such as sickness and diarrhoea, insect bites, toothache, sprains, etc. Medical knowledge is as important as survival knowledge if you intend spending significant time beyond the easy reach of medical

professionals. Contact the British Red Cross or your local Adult Education Centre for course details. The British Mountaineering Council (0161 445 6111) and the Expeditionary Advice Centre (0207 591 3000) may be able to help with more specialist medical courses.

SURVIVAL BOOKS Apart from my own book, Teach Yourself How to Survive Outdoors, there are some specialist books to consider:• RYA Sea Survival Handbook, by Keith Colwell and Steve Lucas. Designed to accompany the Royal Yacht Association’s sea survival course. • U.S. Navy SEAL Guide to Jungle Survival Secrets by Don Mann. Written by an ex-SEAL commando with firsthand experience of jungles and full of

4: Keep medical skills sharp, like I do, by volunteering to be a First Aider or First Responder at work or in the local community 5: Join a gym, but if this is not possible, some basic home equipment will help keep you in shape life saving tips. • The Ultimate Desert Handbook, by Mark Johnson. A detailed book which deals with the problems of water, food, medical conditions, vehicle issues, as well as navigation and the wildlife you will probably run up against. • SAS Mountain and Arctic Survival by Barry Davies. Written by a former SAS

Combat & Survival

Survival

member and has advice specific to very cold environments. • Pocket First Aid and Wilderness Medicine by Dr Jim Duff and Dr Peter Gormly. Superb little book to help you deal with everything from mountain sickness, to infectious diseases, to frostbite and hypothermia. Other books on survival generally include:• Hawkes’ Green Beret Survival Manual by Myke Hawke. A brick of a book by a former captain in the US Army Special Forces. Excellent but too big to carry with you. • The Commando Survival Manual by Hugh McManners. Written by a former British Commando and, being a Dorling Kindersley book, is full of superb photographs. • The SAS Survival Handbook by John Wiseman. An encyclopaedic book by a former SAS instructor. Plenty of detail and well laid out. • Bushcraft Survival by Ray Mears. One of the few good non-military orientated books on the subject.

FITNESS Tip the balance in your favour and ensure you are able to meet the unexpected physical demands of a Plan B. The fitter and stronger you

Combat & Survival

are, the easier it usually is to cope. To this end, run and swim regularly. Join a gym and improve yourself. You must learn to invest in yourself. Make yourself more useful, more dependable, tougher. Remember the value of Chris Ryan’s supreme fitness in his The One Who Got Away.

SURVIVAL MENTALITY Survival training should also be about acquiring a certain mentality. You cannot afford to be shocked and paralysed by a life threatening situation, or the sight of your mate bleeding heavily and needing urgent help. The psychologists tell us that survivors often have the following qualities:• Are calm and not inclined to panic • Have a positive attitude and see opportunities around them • Can adapt quickly and easily • Can see the bigger picture and rise above discomfort • Are assertive and decisive; introverts often die waiting for someone to tell them what to do.

PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE You must practise all your skills survival, medical, map reading, etc. - as frequently as possible, and under

Main Image: Keep fit, as this could make the difference when Plan A goes out the window 6: Build upon your basic knowledge with more detailed information from those with specialist skills

Left: In addition to writing two previous longrunning Survival feature series for COMBAT & SURVIVAL, Highlands-based Jason Polley is the author of the How To Survive Outdoors title in the prestigious Teach Yourself range of books published by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK and McGrawHill in the US. Right: Read up on more specialised areas of First Aid and medicine to complement your existing knowledge

varying conditions. For example, routinely practise firelighting with a spark, or making a shelter, or simply map reading, in all weathers with only very minimal equipment. In essence, Survival Training needs to incorporate: • Courses • Supplementary reading on the subject • Physical fitness training • Having the right frame of mind • Practising less frequently used skills as often as possible See you next time, when we will discuss Survival Kits and Equipment.

During Exercise JOINT WARIOR 14-1 we bumped into a staff sergeant from the New Zealand Army, an amphibious logistics specialist on attachment to the Royal Marines, who was wearing the latest Multi-terrain Camouflage Uniform on the beachhead at West Freugh. We simply do not have enough space to cram in even a short feature on this very interesting camo, but realising that this will be the first time that many of our readers in the Northern Hemisphere will have seen it here’s a teaser pic. Introduced in 2013 for all ranks of the NZ Army and by New Zealand Defence Force deployed on operations, MCU has replaced Disrupted Pattern Material (DPM) and Desert Disrupted Pattern Material (DDPM) uniforms previously worn by the Army.

MORE NEXT MONTH, IF SPACE ALLOWS. Combat & Survival

Firearms

Accuracy International (AI) can be said to have come into being when Dave Walls and David Caig (work colleagues and shooting enthusiasts) decided to try their hand at creating working replicas of Colt 1860 Army and 1873 Single Action Army revolvers. Their first attempt at making guns from scratch was so successful that Caig and Walls started their own company and designed their very first target rifle. This brought them into contact with Malcolm Cooper, gold medal winner at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. In 1986 Malcolm was also World Champion in 300 metre Standard Rifle, a non-Olympic rifle discipline in which he claimed several European and World titles, as well as holding the World Record for a period. Walls, Caig and Cooper were the main founders and driving force behind Accuracy International.

Main Image: Accuracy International (AI) has supplied sniper rifles and associated equipment to military, law enforcement and civilian users around the world for the past 30 years 1: The range of new sniper rifle models from Accuracy International encompasses all popular calibres Images ÂŠ GREG ROBERTS and Accuracy International

Combat & Survival

Firearms

I as a company has supplied sniper rifles and associated equipment to military, law enforcement and civilian users around the world for the past thirty years and during that time its primary concern has been to provide users with the best tools for the job. Their rifles have always been accurate, rugged, reliable, easy to maintain and, based on customer inputs, have evolved and been improved over time. The company has, during the past eight years, focused on further improving the designs and processes to provide the best quality products and has significantly increased production to ensure that it can meet the demands of the market for Accuracy International products.

MISSION The AI company mission is based on the principles of world class engineering and

Main Image: The base models have a right side folding stock, a match grade, stainless steel and free floating quick release barrel available in different lengths from 20 to 27 inches long

2: The addition of a sound suppressor and bipod increases the range of operational condition in which the rifle can be used. 3: The Quick Loc barrel system allows the user to change a barrel very quickly by using a simple hex key

manufacturing, teamwork, mutual respect and trust, with the objective of maintaining the company reputation as producers of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;best sniper rifle in the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Combat & Survival

This is as applicable to product design as it is to architecture. At AI they pride themselves upon understanding the necessary function of their products by staying in constant contact with the community that uses them and using the knowledge they gain as the starting point for their design process. Some things are fundamental, given the nature of their use. Sniper rifles must be highly accurate, rugged and reliable. Consequently these characteristics are incorporated into every product AI make. Recognising that operational requirements differ and each user has individual needs, their products are easily configured to accommodate this using simple rugged feature and controls. When an Accuracy International rifle is selected, it is because consistent, reliable, high performance is required.

To achieve these goals requires the deployment of advanced tools and methodologies. They employ world class computer aided design (CAD) and analysis tools to optimise function and durability. By combining this with advanced prototyping technology on site, they can rapidly assess a large number of design options and iterate towards the optimum design concept. The prototype development processes are enhanced by use of a high speed video camera that allows their engineers to analyse the behaviour of the products in exquisite detail, whether it be visualizing the gas flow through a muzzle brake, seeing how the rifle chassis flexes when dropped or capturing the movement of the firing mechanism. Only by understanding the performance of the rifle to this degree can they take their designs to the next level, which is critical to the task in hand.

LATEST PRODUCTS Launched at the 2014 Shot Show in Las Vegas USA, AIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest range of products, the AT and AX rifles and corresponding AICS kits, are no exception. Based on proven designs, with new or enhanced features, the AT replaces the AW and AE rifles and a new AX 2014 will replace the current AX models in .308 Winchester and .338 Lapua Magnum calibres. An AX300 Winchester Magnum calibre version will also be available and production of the current AX50

Main Image: The design of the AI rifle enables the user to easily adapt it to the environment that they are operating in 4: The muzzle brake attached to the end of the barrel both eliminates muzzle flash and dissipates the muzzle blast

5: The colour of the stock on the rifle can be matched to the operational environment that it will be used in will continue. Both rifle systems will be available from February 2014 and AICS kits at the end of March 2014.

AT IN .308 WINCHESTER The AT is a logical evolution of the AW .308 Winchester calibre rifle and AWM rifles, while combining features of the cutting edge AX system. The rifle is user configurable and mission adaptable making it a compelling choice for both law enforcement and competition shooters. The base model has a fixed stock

with pistol grip, 24-inch plain barrel, 10-round double stack, magazine, bipod mount and comes in black, green or pale brown stock-sides, with black metalwork. Options include a folding stock, 20- and 26-inch barrels and a muzzle brake; a standard double chamber, or tactical threaded for an Accuracy International suppressor. The barrel can be changed in under a minute using a 4mm Allen key. After-market accessories include night vision mount, side rails, thumb hole stock-sides, bipod and later in 2014 a

Combat & Survival

Firearms

rear butt spike. The base model AT is priced at $3,550 or £2,366, exclusive of taxes, and has been available from

AI distributors from January 2014. A .300 Winchester Magnum calibre version will be available during the second half of 2014.

AX 2014 VERSIONS The latest evolution of the Accuracy International combat proven sniper rifles is the AXMC (AX Multi Calibre) which is user-configurable, long action, multi-calibre, missionadaptable rifle with optional calibre change kits consisting of complete bolt assembly, barrel and magazine to change between 338 Lapua magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum or .308 Winchester calibres. The AX308 is a user-configurable short action mission-adaptable rifle for .308 Winchester calibre. The base models have a right side folding stock, a match grade stainless steel, free-floating quick release barrel and are available in different lengths from 20- to 27inches ( 20- to 26-inch for AX Short Action .308 Winchester). A double chamber muzzle brake is fitted as standard or the tactical threaded muzzle brake for use with the Accuracy International suppressor is available as an option. Other barrel lengths are available for special applications. The barrel is user removable with a 4mm hex key

Combat & Survival

Main Image: The chassis systems for the Remington 700 rifle barrelled action platforms that have proven to be so popular and reliable have also been updated to the new 2014 AT and AX styles 6: The night vision device attached in front of the day telescopic sight enables it to be used in darkness as well. 7: You can see the Accuracy International Key Lock system on the fore end of this AX rifle in .338 Lapua Magnum calibre

stowed under cheek piece, does not require a breech extension and can be changed in less than one minute.

updated to the new 2014 AT and AX styles as well.

The AXMC has a full length action and fore end rail STANAG 4694 / 1913 Picatinny with 20 MOA incline machined on the AX308, and 30 MOA incline machined on the AXMC. The fore end tube incorporating the patent pending key lock slot system is 13-inch on AX308 and 16-inch on AXMC. Accessory side rails are fitted as standard; one x 140mm plain and two x 80mm flush cup. The rear frame includes a friction locking mechanism for lateral and height-adjustable cheek piece and length of pull adjustment. Also included is a corrosion resistant 10-round CIP length magazine and the rifle comes in black or green stock sides with black metalwork or pale brown stock sides and metalwork.

Available calibres for this rifle are the .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum and .308 Winchester (Long Action). The weight is 6.6kg (14.6lb) empty with magazine, no telescopic sight, with a 27” barrel with a muzzle brake fitted. The overall dimensions are 1225mm x 180mm x 90mm (with the stock folded it is 965mm x 180mm x 100mm) with a 27” barrel fitted and no telescopic sight.

The polymer and alloy chassis systems for the Remington 700 rifle barrelled action platforms that have proven to be so popular and reliable have also been

AXMC 2014 MODEL

The rifle has a proofed steel action featuring Accuracy International’s patent pending Quick Loc quick release barrel system, bolted and bonded to an aluminium chassis. The bolt is a six lug, 60 degree bolt with AI combat proven leaf spring extractor. The safety is AI’s three-position type with the two-stage trigger adjustable for trigger weight between 1.5 and 2.0 kg. A detachable 10 round capacity CIP length double stack magazine is supplied; this can

also be top loaded through the rifle’s ejection port and there is a left side magazine port cut-out for ease of magazine insertion The factory barrel options include .338 Lapua Magnum, from 20-inch to 27-inches long, with a one in 9.35 inch rifling twist. It is also available in .300 Winchester Magnum, in 20-, 24- and 26-inch barrel lengths with a one in 11 inch rifling twist and in .308 Winchester with similar three barrel lengths but with a one in 12 inch rifling twist. All barrels are available in stainless steel and plain and can be threaded for muzzle brake or sound moderator. Options include a tactical threaded double chamber muzzle brake for an AI suppressor and

Main Image: The enhancements incorporated into the new AI rifles will enable them to be continue to be used in any environmental conditions found worldwide

8: The new versions of the Accuracy International rifles are also intended for use in law enforcement operational environments

9: The removal of the muzzle brake and flash eliminator enables a sound moderator to be attached to the end of the barrel

accessories include STANAG 4694 / Mil Std 1913 accessory rails to attach to AI’s patent pending Key Slot mounting system, bipods and rear butt spikes, suppressors, calibre conversion kits, slings, Harris bipod mount, transit cases, hand stop with sling loop and cleaning kits

AX308 2014 MODEL This rifle is available in .308 Winchester calibre short action. The weight is 6.3 Kg (13.9lb) empty with a magazine, no telescopic, sight, with a 24 inch barrel with muzzle brake. The dimensions are 1170x180x90mm. With the stock folded it is 965x180x100mm with a 26 inch

barrel, with no telescopic sight. Action, quick release barrel system and bolt etc. are generally as previously described for the AXMC. There is a right side folding stock over bolt, adjustable cheek piece, adjustable butt pad with spacers, pistol grip, flush cup sling attachment points, 30 MOA machined incline STANAG 4694 Mil Std 1913 Picatinny action rail and 16” fore end tube and rail, and double chamber standard muzzle brake, plus one 140mm plain accessory rail and two 80mm flush cup accessory rails, user manual and one 10-round double stack CIP magazine. Stock colours are also as

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Firearms

per the AXMC.

AT308 2014 MODEL This rifle is available in .308 Winchester calibre short action. Its weight is 6.3 kg (13.9lb) empty with a magazine, no telescopic, sight and with a 24-inch barrel with muzzle brake. Dimensions with a 26-inch barrel and no telescopic sight are as per the AX308. Action,quick release barrel system and bolt etc. are generally as previously described for the AXMC and base model details are primarily the same as the AX308 and options

ACCESSORIES A tough and hugely versatile range of modular back packs, drag bags and valises which exploit the removable barrel feature of the new AI rifles are available, designed by world record breaking British sniper Craig Harrison. You can find out details and more information on rifles and accessories on the Accuracy International websites, which are accuracyinternational. com for the European market and accuracyinternational.us for North America.

TO BE CONTINUED... 54

Combat & Survival

Main Image: The enhancements to the new AI rifles will enable police tactical firearm units to benefit from these new versions as well 10: Accuracy International make use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) Technology in the design process of their sniper rifles 11: The classic Accuracy International AW (Arctic Warfare) sniper rifle in 7.62mm calibre on issue to elite Dutch Marines photographed recently by the Editor

Product Review

Main Image: The Atins Cool Bandana BUFF worn as an improvised ‘dressy’ top for evening wear

1: The Leli Helmet Liner BUFF is very similar to Swedish M90 ‘Splinter’ pattern camo 2: Atins Cool Bandana BUFF can be worn round neck and pulled up to give a sand/dust mask

LAST MONTH I SAID: “IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE US NOT ONLY HOW MANY DIFFERENT WAYS IT IS POSSIBLE TO WEAR A BUFF, THAT SIMPLE TUBULAR HEADGEAR ITEM MADE FROM SEAMLESS STRETCHY FABRIC, BUT ALSO HOW BUFFERA THE SPANISH MANUFACTURERS KEEP REINVENTING IT WITH FABRIC TWEAKS AND TREATMENTS THAT OFFER ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES.” WELL, FIRST AN APOLOGY, AS I DROPPED A BIT OF A BOLLOCK THERE. BUFFERA ARE MERELY THE UK & US DISTRIBUTOR AND IT IS ACTUALLY BUFF S.A. WHO MANUFACTURE THEM IN A SMALL CITY TO THE WEST OF BARCELONA WITH A LONG TRADITION OF TEXTILES MANUFACTURING. 56

Combat & Survival

his month we are looking at two more variations of this simple tube design, the Helmet Liner Pro and the Cool Bandana BUFF, which are primarily aimed at outdoor sports and pursuits types but also could prove useful for soldiers and adventurers or anyone who regularly wears a helmet in a hot environment or ventures into dusty regions. The Helmet Liner Pro is a short version of the original tube design, made from Fastwick Extra Plus fabric which is both highly breathable and able to absorb sweat thereby keeping the head cool and comfortable under a helmet. Additionally, by regularly washing the Buff you can negate that ‘old trainers’ pong that builds up as bacteria has a field day in the helmet padding or lining. The Bandana BUFF is also essentially tubular but it is cut diagonally at one end so that it finishes in a point rather than having a straight bottom. This garment can be worn in several ways, primarily either as headgear with the point at the back or, with the point at the bottom,

3: The pattern on the Atins Cool Bandana BUFF is also a ‘splinter’ camo but in brown 4: Several nations now issue genuine BUFF products to their armed forces - these two elite Belgian Commandos were photographed in Scotland recently on Ex. JOINT WARRIOR 14-1 Model : VICTORIA Images © BOB MORRISON

as a facemask for keeping out the elements; if wearing an opennecked shirt the Bandana BUFF can give neck protection too, just like a cowboy’s bandanna in these old Hollywood movies. Two designs, the ‘Leli’ Helmet Liner and the ‘Atins’ Cool Bandana, come in camouflage patterns as an alternative to the wide range of funky civvy designs. Incidentally, the Bandana BUFF is stretchy enough to be used as makeshift top by the ladies.

Combat & Survival

Our recent assignment in Cyprus, covering the main contingents serving with UNFICYP on its 50th Birthday, gave us an unique opportunity to photograph several different camouflage uniforms in a similar format. Last month we started presenting each one individually, commencing with an Argentinian NCO. Hopefully our images and notes will be of use to our uniform / camo collector readers and to badge collectors, and possibly to Living History re-enactors too. Each soldier has been photographed in the same way - kneeling, front, left, back and right - plus there will be close-ups of both camo pattern and badges worn.

his Slovakian Blue Beret serving as a Rifleman with the 1st Rifle Section of the 2nd Platoon of the Mobile Force Reserve is actually a Lance Corporal but he wears no rank insignia. His combat uniform is in the arid theatre variation of the vz. 2007

Combat & Survival

Les (Woodland) digital camouflage uniform, sometimes called Kocky (Cube) pattern, which is classified as vz.2007 Pust (Desert) pattern; vz. being the abbreviation of verze, which translates as version. As the the names suggest, both were introduced in 2007 and they replaced Slovakian equivalents of the Czechoslovak vz.95 and vz.85 patterns respectively. The Pust pattern is three-colour with the base being a light stone shade. The secondary colours, the cubes, are light green and reddish brown. Although many of the shapes do appear to be cubes, close inspection shows that not only are the true cubes of different sizes but there are also rectangular shapes, including some which are long and thin, so it erroneous to call it a cubic camo. These square and rectangular shapes - pixels if you will are also considerably larger than most current generation digital patterns; our facilitator ‘Sniper John’ asked us if this might be the same as the 2006 Kuwaiti Desert digital camo (which he has an example of) but the Slovak shapes are markedly larger plus it only has three colours whereas the Kuwaiti camo has

When we visited the multinational Mobile Force Reserve on UNFICYP’s 50th Birthday there were ten Slovakians, including the Lieutenant in command of 1 Rifle Platoon, detached from SLOVCON and spread through the eight Rifle Sections. On the upper right sleeve they wore the rectangular MFR patch and circular United Nations badge and on the left they wore their national flag. Images © BOB MORRISON Military Scene

four. Like many modern era Desert camo patterns the Slovak Pust uses a slightly pinkish stone shade as its base, primarily because this colour not only blends in with many arid backgrounds but it also reflects the surrounding predominant colour. This means that if it is being worn in an urban environment the overall garment can take on a greyish hue and in a more verdant environment it can become less pink to the naked eye with the green and brown adding depth. In a Cyprus spring Pust is not as good as MultiCam which, despite armchair experts continually telling me otherwise, based on what my eyes have told me in various scenarios I believe to be a superb multienvironment camo; however when the island turns to shades of capuccino in summer through to early winter I reckon it will be excellent. One question for the boot geeks. Anyone know what these ones are? I thought they were the Haix Airpower P9 but the heel isn’t right and there are extra lace tunnels.

Kelty, of Boulder in Colorado, is a new range for me. I used the Redwing 50 as my day pack on a snowy and cold trip up Helvellyn and it proved comfortable to wear.

Main Image: On a 2 snowy Helvellyn, summit in view, the Kelty worked fine as a substantial day sack

ven though the Redwing’s central aluminium stay is placed over the backbone it was not at all intrusive, which I at first thought it might be. The shoulder straps are comfortable to use, as is the waist band which has a centre fixing with adjustment on both sides. I like this.

1: Zipped top opening takes a bit of getting used to – but it works fine

The Redwing has a useful range of features and, unusually, has a zipped top opening, which does take a bit of getting used to over the more ‘normal’ flap closure, in some ways offering a more convenient access to the top of the sack. This worked fine for me. 62

Combat & Survival

2: The Redwing has a good range of fixings for the likes of my Trail Crampons 3: The straps and back panel design all work well

Product - UK Contact: Telephone/Web:

Gehwohl/Keeble Care 01284 763 152/keeblecare.co.uk

Result/Result Clothing Kelty/SMG 01206 798 131/resultclothing.com 01752 241 010/smgeurope.com

A nice to wear jacket this. Elasticated panels to allow for a close but not interfering fit. Ideal for a casual walk out on a day which is chill, or for a trip to the pub when it will be a cold walk home with the chance of a shower. This vibrant red is also a good colour for personal visibility on the evening walk home.

oon after you put on this jacket you get a warm cosy feel so although quite a thin jacket the materials are doing their work. A good UK summer jacket for sure.

Above: The Result Osaka jacket is well suited to such a day as this - chill sea breeze but not lashing down though it can deal with some rain if needs be 4: A picture of boxes and tubes of these products does not really do them justice, but this is what you are looking for when you go to buy some note they also come in sachets if small amounts are required.

I do not profess to be an expert on things medical but I do know when a product works, and especially so in the case of the Gehwol Med; a salve for cracked skin. For some years, I have suffered quite badly from cracks on both my thumbs (I’m biting my tongue, Ed.), which I put down to previous injuries; something which in cold and wet weather, and dependent on the work I am doing, always come back to haunt me as painful splits. Not uncommon, and if you get them you will fully understand just how painful and inconvenient these are.

or years I have tried a wide selection of common, and not so common, products to try to overcome this problem – with marginal effect. So when Keeble Care asked if I would like to try the Gehwol products and I noticed the Med salve, the challenge was on! Great timing as it was cold and wet, I was working out in it, and my hands were suffering. A classic time for me to have cracked skin

was at a slight disadvantage when first field testing this bag as I took it out on Dartmoor in February, when it was really quite cold, and it is a Regular size not Large so I did not fit it so well. It is also rated at 20/25F and outside it was a bit colder than that, so all in all it was not totally fair to say I was on margins of comfort. It is also quite a bulky bag for its capability but it does not have a compression bag, only a stuff sack, so is not perfect for back-packing.

I have also been using Gewohl’s Foot Cream, and again have noticed an improvement in the condition of the skin on my feet. After a long day on your feet, try the Refreshing Balm. Joy! Especially if you put socks back on to extend the effect. All these products come in both tubes and sachets, the latter being ideal if you are just out for a short time and need to reduce what you carry. By the time you read this, I will probably be trekking the Tour de Mont Blanc and there will definitely be some Gehwol in my kit. As well as working well, you need very little of these products for each application so a tube goes a long way, which is a bonus. If you regularly read this column you will, for sure, from time to time give your feet and hands a hard time. So my advice is to give them a treat. They deserve it.

Kelty have a wide range of sleeping bags including this down-based model. Down is a filling you have to be aware of in case it gets wet, but this one has a machine-washable fill … with care.

… and I did. In a couple of days the problem was solved and I have not had an issue since. Say no more. This stuff really works!

5: In the supplied stuff sack the Kelty Ignite is quite large making it possibly not ideal if hiking 6: If used in the right conditions this is a well featured down filled bag 7: On a cold February night on Dartmoor I was at the limits of comfort in this 20/25F rated bag

This said, the Ignite it is a nice bag with good neck baffle and good zip and so it does the job nicely in the right conditions.

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Working Knives

NORMALLY THE WORKING KNIVES WE COVER IN C&S ARE MASS-PRODUCED, USUALLY IN HIGH-TECH MODERN FACTORY FACILITIES CHURNING OUT IDENTICAL DESIGNS BY THE THOUSAND WHERE THE BLADES AND HANDLES ARE MACHINED TO PRECISELY THE SAME DIMENSIONS EVERY SINGLE TIME. IF YOU ARE A MILITARY REENACTOR OR A LIVING HISTORY ROLE-PLAYER OR A PERIOD ACTOR ON STAGE, FILM OR TELEVISION, HOWEVER, YOUR KNIFE WILL NEED TO LOOK THE PART. ENTER JEZ OF BLACK HAND CRAFTS AND HIS HISTORICAL BLADES AND THEATRICAL WEAPONS.

lthough Jez actually started out going to university to study media production, he drifted into blacksmithing and has now been working as an armourer for fourteen years, primarily supplying weapons and armour for historical re-enactments and films. During this time he has studied with a number of traditional blacksmiths and armourers enabling him to combine classic techniques with modern tools and engineering equipment to create the finest of hand-crafted knives and swords.

Combat & Survival

Main Image: The BHC Survival Knife is made from recycled EN47 steel from a Land Rover leaf spring 1: The BHC Medieval Bowl Knife is crafted from a specially made alloy of CM370 steel

2: Jez also produces traditional design leather sheaths for his knives 3: The Bowl Knife is specifically designed for hollowing out wooden food bowls 4: The handle of the Survival Knife, seen here in a basic sheath, is cut from deer antler Images ©

BOB MORRISON

Many of Jez’s most popular knives are made from a combination of EN47 steel recycled from old Land Rover for truck leaf springs and railway bolts, for particularly hard knives, or an alloy of CM 370 steel which he has made for him specifically. The hand crafted Survival Knife pictured here is from EN47 Land Rover spring, and the Medieval Bowl Knife is forged from CM370. Each item from his website comes with a lifetime guarantee, though he has yet to have anyone return a knife and he plans to keep standards this high so no customer will have to resort to cashing in the guarantee.

Incidentally, Jez also teaches blacksmithing in Plymouth (sessions are just £25 for two hours in the workshop and students keep everything they make) so if you fancy learning how to smith your own knife or armour this could be your chance. With an extensive background in both martial arts and outdoor survival - Lofty Wiseman is his hero - Jez’s hobbies combine with his love of history to heavily influenced the knife designs he makes. Check out the Knives and Survival Equipment page on blackhandcrafts.co.uk to see which designs are in stock.

s this possible? Apparently it is, depending on the type of aircraft, but it is a sophisticated act and would be state sponsored rather than a terrorist act. Cyber warfare has been recognised as a new and very effective form of warfare and, as such, many military forces have created departments to both defend against enemy cyber attacks and attack enemy infrastructure through its dependence on networks. Until we find the plane wreckage and examine it thoroughly we will never know the exact circumstances of its loss, but what if it was a ‘proof of concept’ in the new form of warfare? Why would anyone want to be able to take control of a commercial airliner remotely and be able to fly it to a known point? One of the issues throughout the Cold War was the fact that each side had massive nuclear arsenals that could destroy the entire planet several times over. This fact ensured a policy of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) and this brought about a form of stability as neither side could ‘win’. So if one side could suddenly produce a defensive system that could nullify incoming enemy ballistic missiles, such as the ‘Star Wars’ programme or

its successors, then they would have a distinct advantage over the other side who don’t have one. Both submarines, which are difficult to detect and destroy before launch, and aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear weapons. These need to be capable of penetrating a coordinated and sophisticated enemy air defence screen and as defence systems and radar evolve and become more capable how does an aircraft manage to get through, aside from terrain masking or active jamming? The answer is by switching to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles such as cruise missiles (which could use saturation tactics to penetrate an opposing air defence screen, without losing vast amounts of highly trained and expensive aircrews) and stealth technology, which reduces one’s radar

signature to the extent that radar operators see an image not associated with an aircraft but with something smaller. The next step is to combine the two and have unmanned aerial aircraft that utilise stealth design. This type of technology, and the threat it poses, is in use today. Another option is to use cyber attacks

FLIGHT H370 Will We Ever Know? - By Robert Shaw

to either close down an enemy air defence network (although this would tell them they are under attack) or, better still, have their systems show an empty sky even as they are under attack, as we saw with Israeli attacks on Syria.

One of the major security preoccupations this month has been the loss of Flight MH370 and the subsequent search for the missing plane. There have been lots of theories as to what happened, and many questions asked as to why the plane behaved in the way that it did. One of the most startling theories to appear though was the suggestion that it may have been a cyber hijack.

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.

Security Industry

If you don’t have access to large fleets of stealth aircraft then one option is to hijack a commercial aircraft and fly it into your target, as we saw with 9/11. Since all of the above are known about though and stringent countermeasures have been put in place, which include the shooting down of commercial airliners that are deemed a threat, then there now has to be another way. Even training individuals as pilots would come under scrutiny unless it was a state sponsored act. Since screening security equipment prohibits smuggling explosive, or of course nuclear devices, on board a civilian aircraft then one way of getting a weapon of mass destruction inside enemy airspace would be to place the device on an aircraft at the point of origin and use a known, expected, commercial aircraft type and route to fly it to the target as a form of Trojan horse. If the target were a command and control system that manages the country’s nuclear arsenal then this form of a ‘first strike’ would potentially knock out the enemy’s ability to react. One of the advantages of using a Trojan horse to deliver an initial nuclear attack is that it would be very difficult to then prove who was responsible and therefore to be able to retaliate. There then remains the issue of who you get to fly the aircraft and what do you do with the real commercial flight that would be registered on that time and space? If you take over an aircraft and fly it remotely (in the same way drones in Afghanistan are piloted by operators in the US) then that solves one problem. If you take over the original commercial aircraft and switch off the oxygen and kill the occupants then that takes care of the second issue. All sound a bit far-fetched? Let’s hope so!

Combat & Survival

Rations

IT HAS BEEN SAID A MILLION TIMES BEFORE, AND IT IS VERY DOUBTFUL THAT NAPOLEON BONAPARTE WAS THE FIRST TO SAY IT, BUT AN ARMY REALLY DOES MARCH ON ITS STOMACH. ON THE MODERN BATTLEFIELD THERE IS EVEN LESS CHANCE OF LIVING OFF THE LAND IN THE WAY THAT NAPOLEON’S TROOP’S OPPONENTS WERE OFTEN EXPECTED TO DO, SO THE INDIVIDUAL COMBAT RATION PACK IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE KIT CARRIED BY ALMOST EVERY FRONTLINE SOLDIER TODAY, BE THAT IN OR ON HIS VEHICLE OR IN HIS PACK AND WEBBING. 70

Combat & Survival

henever possible we try to taste the rations covered in Marching Ammo - indeed in some cases we have to taste them as they are the only food available to us when on assignments - but in this case we have drawn the line as these are well out of date and it would be silly to try. We do not know precisely when this Angolan ICR was issued and as it is unclear whether some of the dates on items are Best Before or Produced On stamps, our best guess is that is five to seven years old. It was donated by our old mate Andy of East West Trading, who stumbled across it purely by chance and knows nothing of its provenance but reckoned we would be interested in it.

Top Left: Menu sheet is in Portuguese with French and English translations on the back 1: Angolan ICR carton is olive green thin corrugated card 2: 300 gramme lunch and dinner main course tins 3: Tuna tin (dinner) with its olive green outer box and pâté tin (lunch)

Inside the battered and waterdamaged olive green corrugated card carton, which is marked Menu 3 but had a Menu 1 components list inside, we discovered: Breakfast - 2x instant coffee sachets, 4x condensed milk pouches, 1x 30g pack of biscuits, 1x 25g chocolate bar, 2x25g strawberry jam pots and 1x 22g instant orange drink powder sachet; Lunch - 1x 300g tin of Mão de Vaca com Grão (knuckle of beef and bean stew), 1x65g tin of pate and 2x 25g apple purée pots; Dinner - 1x 300g tin of Arroz com Frango (chicken and rice), 1x 75g tin of Atum em Pedaços em Oleo Vegetal (Tuna Chunks In Vegetable Oil) in a green box and 1x 30g pack of biscuits; plus 1x125g pack of water biscuits which had deteriorated into brown gunk, 2x10g sachets of sugar

4: There are two dried coffee sachets and one orange powder sachet 5: Four condensed milk sachets are supplied for the coffee 6: There are four jam and marmalade pots

7: A box of twenty matches plus a pack of ten tissues is included 8: Can opener, water tablets, sugar sachet and three salt sachets 9: There are two packs of biscuits included – both still look edible 10: The 125g pack of crackers has not fared well but 25g chocolate bar is still solid Images ©

BOB MORRISON

(of which one had turned to syrup) and 3x 1g sachets of salt. In addition to to foodstuffs the carton contains a strip of four water purification tablets sufficient for four litres of water, a box of safety matches, a rudimentary pressed metal tin opener, a pack of ten commercial brand tissues, a plastic bag for refuse and the menu sheet which has both English and French translations on the reverse. The producer of these rations was SPA - Sociedade de Produtos Alimentares of Luanda. Although we have not tasted the contents and cannot vouch for their quality, outwardly the compare quite favourably with the 24 hour individual combat rations issued by many NATO nations ten to fifteen years ago, so our impression is that they were probably perfectly adequate for their intended function. If they were still in date I’d have tried them.

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Next month we will be focusing heavily on elite amphibious troops including both Royal Marines and US Marines photographed by Carl in Arctic Norway on the recent Exercise COLD RESPONSE â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;14 plus both Belgian Commandos and Royal Marines photographed by Bob in Scotland on the recent Exercise JOINT WARRIOR 14-1. Greg will be finishing off his two-parter on Accuracy International sniper rifles and, if space permits, we will continue our 50th Birthday mini-series on UNFICYP with a look at Royal Engineers deployed on the Green Line through Sector 2.

In addition to working with 3 Commando Brigade on JW14-1 we also went up to northeast Scotland to catch 16 Air Assault Brigade seizing Kinloss airfield in a heliborne raid but unfortunately that one will need to be held back until the August issue as unfortunately there definitely wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be any room in the July issue to cram in 3 Para too!

Combat & Survival