Combat and survival march 2014 by Sudden

Website: www.combatandsurvival.com Editor: Bob Morrison Designer: Emily Bedford Senior Correspondents: Carl Schulze & Yves Debay (R.I.P) Firearms Tester: Greg Roberts Gear Tester: Mike Gormley Security Consultant: Robert Shaw Editors Assistant: Jitka Cajova Webmaster: Daryl Crowther Advertisement Sales Director: Moira Spencer Tel: 01484 435011 Email: moira@maionline.co.uk Distributed by Warners Group Publications PLC The Maltings, West Street, Bourne PE10 9PH Print by Acorn Colourprint Ltd: Loscoe Close, Normanton, WF6 1TW Subscriptions and Back Issue Orders to: COMBAT & SURVIVAL Magazine which is published by:MAI Publications, Revenue Chambers, St. Peter’s Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1DL Tel: (01484) 435011 Fax: (01484) 422177 ISSN: 0955-9841

P16

P09 British Army JUNGLE GURKHAS

Gordon Arthur reports from Brunei on 1st Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles

P16 Civil Assistance OP LANDSLIDE

Bob Morrison reports from Cornwall as Commandos sail to the rescue of a disaster-struck village

P20 UK Armour CORE FLEET

Carl Schulze reports on the decision to incorporate UOR armour into the UK vehicle pool

To Subscribe or order a digital edition visit www.combatandsurvival.com

P20

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

P27 UK Equipment VISION SYSTEMS

Bob Morrison reports from Warminster on a £50 million lasers, binos and night sights purchase

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

P38 Armour Focus GTK BOXER

Carl Schulze photographs the new German wheeled personnel carrier deployed to Afghanistan

P27

P44 Armour Focus 2 FRES BOXER

Bob Morrison delves into the archive to find photos of the only British Army registration Boxer

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.

P49 Firearms SIG SAUER 516

Greg Roberts fires the Swiss 5.56mm service rifle and looks at its history and evolution

P62 Survival Gear TRIED & TESTED

Mike Gormley trials walking poles, traction aids, a drinks flask, a spacepen and a knife sharpener

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.

P38

P66 Survival WINTER STORMS

Bob & Mike venture down to the coast as lives are claimed by the combination of wind and sea

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

P68 Security SOCHI 2014

Robert Shaw questions how safe the Winter Olympics in Russia are likely to be

P70 Footwear 5.11 SPEED 2.0

P49

Bob Morrison, courtesy of Military 1st, trials a no-frills side zip 8” black patrol boot P05: Comms P47 & 57: Reviews

P09 P66

March 14 Cover Image: © Gordon Arthur © M.A.I. Publications 2014

Combat & Survival

Comms

Floodwater sluices over the A361 between East Lyng and Burrow Bridge on the Somerset Moors after the morning Spring Tide on 2nd January - even Environment Agency vehicles had to make a 19 mile detour to tend to emergency pumps just two miles apart [Bob Morrison] I am sure many readers will have heard of the Thousand Mile Screwdriver, which some government officials use to try to tinker with the fine detail of an overseas military operation rather than letting the commander on the ground get on with doing what they judge to be necessary to resolve a particular situation. The term is regularly used these days to describe political or bureaucratic interference in matters the ‘suits’ almost certainly have less of a clue about than those tasked to get the job done speedily and efficiently.

here was always a major element of truth in the popular television programmes Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, but one suspects that both only really scratched the surface of the goings-on in Whitehall, where these days News Management (i.e. Spin Doctoring) has well and truly taken over from what used to be known as Public Information or Public Relations. Unfortunately, when bureaucrats try to tinker with the military news using even only a 125 Mile Screwdriver, rather than allowing interested media to talk directly to those officers and senior NCOs out on the ground, there is a very real danger that either the story will not get out there or it will be badly garbled by a mainstream media that has less understanding than even the civil servants behind their desks in distant London.

We have no problem dealing with the civilians in the Defence Communications team in Whitehall, who as individuals are really nice people, but unfortunately they are often at the end of one of those Thousand Mile Screwdrivers and either do not know precisely what is going on at ground level or are not in a position to discuss it with us as the official ‘message’ has not yet been sanctioned by those higher up in the slow-moving bureaucracy. In the case of the Somerset Floods it was very much the wrong ‘message’ which surfaced in the media, as those who watched late night BBC current affairs coverage and regional television footage on the 29/30th might have spotted.

We saw this happening firsthand with military involvement in the Somerset Moors floods crisis in late January, when shortly after breakfast on the morning following the early evening discussions of the COBR (Cabinet Office Briefing Room) committee on 29th January, when the Prime Minister sanctioned military involvement if necessary, the British Army had troops out on the ground undertaking a recce to see what assistance could be provided. As C&S had picked up through our grapevine that Royal Engineers from Devonbased 24 Commando Regiment had deployed, and one of us was just 45 minutes drive away, we put a call in to the relevant desk at Whitehall seeking information as to their whereabouts. It had been our intention to provide onthe-spot coverage just as we did for 1 AGRM when they mounted Operation LANDSLIDE at Calstock earlier in the month (see page 16).

For the record, unlike the ‘message’ three close friends in different parts of the country relayed to me next day, the military response to the crisis was not: “Two majors turned up in a Land Rover, looked at the mess, and then drove away as there was nothing they could do!” What really happened was that: a large number of troops from 3 Commando Brigade were put on standby to help; an offer to supply specialist amphibious and high ground clearance vehicles (plus according to one source two hovercraft) was made, if deemed needed; and a number of Army Commandos with specialist engineering and crisis management skills speedily surveyed the area then reported back to the Local Authority coordinators dealing with the problem. The civil powers, however, decided they did not require help from the military at that particular time.

Several hours later, with darkness falling, we were eventually informed that a Press Release would shortly be forthcoming. We had previously asked who we could contact in the operational area for more focussed information but were told that MoD Whitehall was the only point of contact. When we spoke to an officer closer to the scene who did know what was going on he apologised profusely and said that unfortunately, much as he would like to help, he was not allowed to discuss matters with the media because Whitehall were handling this. As for that Press Release, four days down the line there is still no sign of it.

For our next issue, bearing in mind the agreement on closer defence cooperation signed with France at Brize Norton on 31st January, I would really have liked to have covered the Anglo-French training exercise held at the French CENZUB complex in January, but despite requesting details from Whitehall no information was forthcoming. Richard was also interested in covering 3 Para dropping into Corsica with the Foreign Legion (2e REP) on Exercise BLUE LEGIONNAIRE around the same time, but by the time we heard what was happening it was too late. A double facepalm moment? - BM

Combat & Survival

A Gurkha moves through a clearing while grey smoke from a grenade dissipates in the background - coloured smoke would only be used to mark a position for an inbound helicopter

British Army

Combat & Survival

British Army

he section of British Army soldiers moved silently through the gloom of the jungle, passing between trees and creepers, and nimbly climbing over fallen logs. The blazing sun overhead was completely blotted out by the omnipresent tree canopy high over their heads, which both decreased the temperature and increased the humidity at ground level. The soldiers perspired heavily in the tropical conditions as they continued to reconnoitre. The jungle was almost silent as the birds and animals sensed their presence and ceased making their natural sounds. The distinctive patches on the soldiers’ arms, as well as the long, curved knives hanging from their hips, identified them as Gurkhas. Suddenly, the lead scout motioned the patrol to a stop and the soldiers swiftly lowered themselves to a crouch with their automatic weapons at the ready. Their eyes peered through the persistent gloom to catch sight of any imminent threat in this jungle in the Sultanate of Brunei. Meanwhile, the section commander made good use of the pause to check his map and assess the patrol’s progress.

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

The above was part of routine jungle training in Brunei Darussalam, the Abode of Peace. After an absence of four years, C&S was privileged to revisit British Forces Brunei (BFB) in this Southeast Asian nation. Part of our visit involved observing a section from Support Company of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR) conducting training in the jungle. Gurkhas have been an integral part of the British Army for 200 years, ever since the Gurkha War

Combat & Survival

Main Image: Members of Support Company, 1RGR, attend a lesson in a makeshift ‘lecture theatre’ in the jungle - all British soldiers in Brunei now wear MultiTerrain Pattern (MTP) uniforms 1: A sergeant lectures his section on methods of jungle navigation - navigating in such a confined environment is perhaps one of the most challenging skills to acquire Images © GORDON ARTHUR

(1814-16) when East India Company soldiers were so impressed with their bravery that they began recruiting them as volunteers. As a consequence of the loyalty and bravery they demonstrated during the 1857 Indian Mutiny, the Gurkhas were lifted from their hitherto sepoy (native troop) status and afforded parity of status with British troops in the East India Company Army. True to their motto of “Better to die than be a coward”, Gurkhas have fought bravely for the British all around the world. Most recently, for example, 1RGR has completed three six-month deployments to Afghanistan – the first in 2007, a second in 2010 and most recently a third in 2012/13. Meanwhile, its sister battalion (2RGR) has also completed numerous deployments to Afghanistan too. For the rest of the time, the two RGR battalions alternate between Brunei and Folkestone in the UK on approximately three-year rotations. Both battalions retain the light infantry role within the British Army’s order of battle. 1RGR returned to Brunei in 2013. The Gurkhas have a strong historical connection to Brunei. Despatched from Singapore, Gurkhas were the first military troops to respond during the Brunei

Main Image: The section commander, a corporal (historically known as a naik amongst Gurkhas) consults his map during a pause in a jungle patrol navigation in jungles is never easy 2: A soldier peers through the SUSAT sight of his 7.62mm GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) - observe the crossed kukri knives on his shoulder patch 3: In the jungle, the standard head covering is the bush hat - however, helmets and body armour may be carried or worn when the threat warrants it (e.g. an assault on an enemy position)

Revolt of 1962, and this created an important bond. Indeed, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the father of the current sultan, specifically requested Gurkhas be included in the resident British garrison in his country. British troops have thus been stationed in Brunei for around 40 years, even after the country gained full independence in 1984.

and the Bell helicopters of 7 Flight Army Air Corps; and Tuker Lines with the headquarters and resident Gurkha battalion. These British camps are located in Seria, which is the main oil and gas production centre of Brunei. The third site is Sittang Camp near Tutong, and it is used as a forward staging post for exercises.

As the host nation, Brunei allows the UK to sustain a garrison in the south of the country. This is the UK’s last remaining base in the Far East, 7,099 miles from home! Brunei’s importance is thus enormous, as is the close relationship sustained by both sovereign nations.

The location of Brunei provides several great advantages. There are a range of training opportunities that cannot be obtained at other British bases, principle among them being the thick jungles in the interior of the country. Inland from the coast, Brunei features pristine primary jungle that is ideal for training. This accounts for the presence of Training Team Brunei (TTB), which C&S will examine in detail next month. Additionally, the resident Gurkha battalion has almost free rein to train

The garrison comprises three sites. Two are located approximately 100 kilometres from the capital. Bandar Seri Begawan: Medicina Lines containing support services, Training Team Brunei

Combat & Survival

British Army A patrol of 1RGR halts - the insides of bush hats belonging to recce troops contain a coloured band that helps identify them as friendly soldiers when returning from patrols

4: The same machine gunner has set up his weapon on a fallen log - the patch on his left shoulder looks like a red anchor from a distance, but is actually the tactical recognition flash of the Brunei Garrison 5: A squad reacts to a contact in the jungle note muzzle flash from the GMPG - following the impact of ‘Options for Change’ in the 1990s the Gurkhas now have only two battalions, 1RGR and 2RGR

Combat & Survival

throughout the Sultanate; something the commanders and soldiers appreciate. Major Chris Boryer, the garrison’s Chief of Staff and second-in-command of 1RGR, commented to C&S on the importance of the garrison and the generosity of its Bruneian hosts: “Brunei is the second home of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, and it provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to maintain our standing as the British Army’s jungle warfare experts. Our strong relationship with the highly professional and capable Royal Brunei Armed Forces is central to all we do here and we prize it highly. The jungle is perhaps the most testing of environments to soldier in; the regular three-year tours of Brunei that the battalion undertakes are of immense value in maintaining the

high standards of military excellence for which the Gurkhas are world renowned.” The primary mission of the Gurkha battalion in Brunei is to contribute to the deterrence of external threats to Brunei, reinforcing the capabilities of Brunei’s own armed forces. The official statement states: “Through your stationing in and active engagement with Brunei and her authorities, you are to contribute to the deterrence of external threats to Brunei.” This combination of UK and Bruneian military combat power, continually subject to ongoing improvement and modernisation, has stood the test of time as a successful military partnership. British troops enjoy a positive relation with the locals. “They’re very friendly,” commented one British officer.

Members of C Company, 1RGR, conduct training at the Tutong firing range -although this is a Bruneian-owned facility, the UK helps maintain it to strict standards Th h BFB BFB numbers numb umbers bers approximately appro approxim i ate atel t ly ly 720 The personnel but this figure reaches personnel, 1,950 if family members are counted. Of this total, 1RGR contains some 600 personnel. While Gurkha soldiers originate from Nepal, a cadre of about 20 British officers currently serve in the battalion. One of these officers, Captain Tom Baker, remarked that the Gurkhas are famed for their level of marksmanship, attaining some of the best skills in the whole of the British Army. In the wake of the powerful Typhoon Haiyan, which shattered the central Philippines in November 2013, 1RGR conducted contingency planning to ensure they would be ready, if

6: NNo 6: Note ot the pace ote counter attached to the rifle of the soldier in the foreground competition to become a Gurkha is fierce with, on average, just 180 positions available annually in the selection process 7: Gurkhas are famous for the kukri, a large 18-inch curved knife featured on their regimental patch - in the past it was said a kukri, once drawn in battle, had to ‘taste blood’

called upon, to deploy to help with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). In the event, Brunei-based soldiers were not called upon, as the Royal Navy instead sent the destroyer HMS Daring and later the carrier HMS Illustrious. Nevertheless, this illustrates one advantage of having British troops permanently stationed in the Far East. As well as their regular interactions with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), the Gurkhas in Brunei also occasionally train alongside other AsiaPacific nations. In 2014, for instance, a company will deploy to New Zealand to exploit the training opportunities presented by the terrain and climate of the South Island.

Combat & Survival

Promotional Feature

On Saturday 18th January the Winter Fan Dance Race took place in the infamous Brecon Beacons. Participants battled strong winds, rain, sleet and January temperatures to complete this well-known endurance route which has long been part of the Special Forces Selection. Avalanche Endurance Events, launched the winter Fan Dance in 2013 following the success of the popular summer Fan Dance which will take place again in July. British watch brand Nite have sponsored the event for two years running. The event has a reputation for being extremely challenging as the brand found out from some of their watch owners who took part with one commenting that it was “A proper gruelling day in hideous conditions, but without a doubt an incredible day”. Nite watch owner Fergus Beeley is a wildlife film director and producer. This was his first Fan Dance race and he put together a report about his experience and how his Nite MX10-201 watch coped when worn during the extreme conditions. So what happens when you wear your MX10 during one of the UK’s toughest endurance races? How long did it take you to complete the race? After 9 weeks of training the event was achieved in 4hrs 18 minutes. Tell us how you and your watch stood up to the challenge of the Fan Dance Race? The watch was invaluable during both training and the event itself. It was accurate, robust and gave me confidence at all times. No other make would endure the extraordinarily extreme pressures put on it. I fell on it often, had to let it get drenched in rain as it remained outside my glove and it was at all times exposed to all the elements. Did your watch keep good time? Yes. I had heard about the MX10 from colleagues in the HM UK Armed Forces. They spoke very highly of it and I was keen to have one, as most of my work involves working in extreme environments like rainforests, deserts, mountains and other. It kept very good time and this is important when one’s life depends on time accuracy. Did the watch become covered in mud and sweat? Yes, during the event the watch endured major knocks against rocks and falls into puddles. Were you on the ground covered in mud or dirt? Yes. Descending from the summit of Corn Du, on the last and final stage of the race I fell to the ground. I was exhausted and tired and lost my footing, stumbling to the ground at speed, my arms and legs hit the rocks. The added weight of the bergan rucksack put even more pressure on my body for the fall. I gathered myself together, got up and continued running but not before checking that my MX10 was still on my wrist and working well. It was! Tell us about your experience of using your Nite watch during this event. The experience of using my Nite watch during this event was comforting. I have the confidence to know that I could not have been better equipped for a challenge of this kind. Every bit of my equipment and clothing had to be the best, as it would otherwise potentially have compromised my performance and even my life. I needed to know I was wearing and carrying the best.

THE MX10 IS AVAILABLE FROM £224.95 VISIT WWW.NITEWATCHES.COM TO FIND OUT WHY NITE CUSTOMERS GIVE THEM A 5* RATING Avalanche Endurance Events director Ken Jones is a Nite HAWK T100 watch owner and Ambassador of the brand. Ken is a former SF soldier with an incredible avalanche survival story to tell. Ken has recently written a compelling book about his ordeal titled Darkness Descending which is available to purchase nationwide.

Visit Ken’s profile on http://www.nitewatches.com/gb/unite/owners/ken-jones/

Combat & Survival

Day View

Night View

Civil Assistance

CALSTOCK IS AN HISTORIC CORNISH TIN AND SILVER MINING VILLAGE ON THE NORTH BANK OF THE RIVER TAMAR, CLOSE TO THE BORDER WITH DEVON AND A FEW MILES NORTH OF PLYMOUTH, POPULAR WITH TOURISTS IN SUMMER BUT RELATIVELY SLEEPY IN WINTER. THE ISOLATED LOWER WESTERN QUARTER OF THE VILLAGE IS SERVED BY A SINGLE NARROW ROAD RUNNING JUST INLAND FROM THE TIDAL RIVER, NESTLING LIKE THE THIRTY OR SO HOUSES FORMING THIS PART OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE LEE OF THE STEEPLY SLOPING VALLEY SIDE INTO WHICH PAST GENERATIONS OF MINERS BURROWED FOR MINERALS SUBSEQUENTLY SHIPPED DOWN THE TAMAR.

Combat & Survival

Main Image: The only road into the lower western portion of Calstock village on the north bank of the River Tamar

1: The first pair of four LCVPs - see January issue for details - moored to the village jetty while awaiting the tide to turn 2: As the LCVP was designed to accept a Land Rover timber baulks had to be used to load cars with minimal ground clearance Images Â© BOB MORRISON: Military Scene unless noted

n Christmas Day disaster struck the community when a landslip, caused by over-saturation of the hillside as a result of the excessive rainfall afflicting the Southwest this winter, caused the collapse of the one way in and out for vehicles. Around forty cars and vans were subsequently trapped on the wrong side of the gap and as initial estimates were that it

could take as much as a year to rebuild the hillside and reinstate the road, locals were stuck with no way of driving to work and visitors had to go home after the Christmas holiday without their cars. Then a ten year old boy had a brainwave. Call in the Marines! Operation LANDSLIDE, as 1 Amphibious Group Royal Marines named their mission, truly did start out in response to a suggestion from schoolboy Charlie Southcott, whose mum’s car was one of the vehicles trapped by the road collapse. He suggested his idea to a local councillor then passed on a Royal Navy commodore’s business card, picked up at a carol service, and when 1AGRM returned to their Devonport base after Christmas leave they swung into action to mount a rescue mission. By sailing four of the LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) fleet, used by Boat Troop for training courses, up the Tamar they were able to operate a ferry service from the small slipway

Main Image: Once loading procedures had been established a speedy turnaround ferry service commenced [Crown Copyright: LA(Phot) Joel Rouse] 3: The operation provided an ideal training opportunity for the landing craft teams due to the varied nature of the vehicles being recovered 4: The fast-flowing rising tide and tricky river currents also provided good training opportunities for the landing craft coxswains

at Calstock Boatyard downriver to Cotehele Quay on the National Trust estate. In addition to recovering the civvy vehicles, the Commandos and supporting sailors also brought in fuel and fresh water for the villagers as well as a small van-based truck to allow Cornwall County Council contractors to distribute the supplies.

5: A civvy Land Rover is reversed on - no need for timber ramps and baulks this time

Speaking on the slipway, Colonel Garth Manger, Commanding Officer of 1 AGRM, said: “This kind of operation is nothing new to the Royal Marines. We train to move vehicles

and personnel by landing craft on and off beaches and slipways like this. We do this for combat scenarios and for disaster relief and similar humanitarian reasons worldwide. This is not strictly a humanitarian issue, but it is a great opportunity to put our skills to good use – helping the community on our doorstep and also helping refine the results of our training.“ For more on the LCVP in its traditional role see the January ‘14 issue of C&S.

Combat & Survival

Civil Assistance

Main Image: Weather conditions were atrocious ... but, as the old saying goes, if it ain’t raining - it ain’t training!

6: In addition to taking trapped civvy vehicles out, the Royal Marines ferried in fuel stocks and supplies plus a light truck to distribute them 7: Guided by NCOs, a Commando carefully drives the council contractor’s vehicle off the LCVP ensuring no damage to front spoiler

8: This beautiful condition 1967 Massey Ferguson tractor was also ferried back home from Cotehele for one of the villagers 9: The operation at Calstock boatyard slipway photographed from a Royal Navy Merlin [Crown Copyright: LA(Phot) Joel Rouse] 18

Combat & Survival

TO ADDRESS URGENT OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS CAUSED BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF BRITISH FORCES TO IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN UNDER OPERATIONS HERRICK AND TELIC, EQUIPMENT WORTH OVER Â£3.6 BILLION WAS PROCURED AND RUSHED TO THE FRONT. AMONG THIS WAS A LARGE QUANTITY OF PROTECTED MOBILITY VEHICLES. ON THE 16TH DECEMBER 2013 IT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, PHILIP DUNNE, THAT SOME 2,000 OF THESE WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO THE CORE VEHICLE FLEET OF THE BRITISH ARMY. IN THIS ARTICLE WE SUM UP SOME OF THE DETAILS REVEALED SO FAR ABOUT WHICH VEHICLES WILL BE KEPT, RATHER THAN CAST, AND HOW THEY WILL BE EMPLOYED BUT FIRST LET US TAKE A QUICK LOOK BACK BEFORE WE TAKE CONSIDER CURRENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.

Combat & Survival

Main Image: Of the 76 Coyote Tactical Support Vehicles, derived from the Supacat Jackal, which were procured with UOR funds it is planned that 71 will be transferred into the core vehicle fleet of the British Army 1: Like the Jackal High Mobility Weapons Platform, the Coyote Tactical Support Vehicle is a heavily armed gunship but it also offers the capability to transport additional equipment and supplies

ight at the beginning of the British deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq capability gaps became obvious. On account of its long term involvement in Northern Ireland, the British Army had a lot of practical experience in fighting a counter-insurgency, plus it owned the kit to do so, but most of this equipment had been designed for use on the streets of Ulster in a rather confined area of operations and in an essentially mild Western European climate.

In Afghanistan and Iraq this kit had to be used in deserts and mountainous terrain, under harsh environmental conditions with extreme heat and a lot of fine dust, as well as in vast operational areas where long distances had to be regularly covered. The kit, and especially the vehicles in service, were just not designed for this. The Land Rover 110 Defender Composite Armour Vehicle (CAV) or 'Snatch', for example, performed extremely well in

Northern Ireland. It was designed as an urban patrol and crowd-and-riot control vehicle which could provide its occupants with protection from small-arms fire, fragmentation from nail bombs and projectiles such as stones and bottles. It even offered cross-country capabilities, allowing it to venture off-road occasionally if necessary. In contrast to this, in Afghanistan the vehicles were employed on patrols where most of the time was spent driving on bad tracks or even totally off-road. Due to the nature of these patrols, the vehicles were often loaded up to and well beyond their limits. On top of this they had to cope with environmental extremes. This cumulation resulted in accelerated wear and tear. In addition, the vehicles only offered limited protection if they struck a large IED or were engaged with machineguns and shoulderlaunched anti-tank weapons. Although the Land Rover 110 Defender XD Wolf FFR WMIK (Weapons Mount Installation Kit) had the required crosscountry capabilities, and proved itself well as a patrol and fire support vehicle well suited for long-range patrolling, it completely lacked ballistic and mine protection; though in time upgraded protection was fitted. Another vehicle initially available was the Saxon AT105 wheeled APC (armoured personnel carrier) which had been designed during the Cold War as a means of light

armoured transport to deploy troops by road from the UK to Germany in the case of a Warsaw Pact attack. It had also been designed for use mainly the paved roads of Central Western Europe, and it therefore was not really suited for patrolling off-road in southern Afghanistan. Another problem encountered post-2003 was that any suitable vehicles that were available had to be divided between the those UK Forces deployed to Afghanistan and those deployed to Iraq. Due to the stabilisation and peace support nature of the ISAF mission, politicians regarded the deployment of a large number of tracked vehicles to Afghanistan as too aggressive and they thus ruled it out. Tracked vehicles also require a much larger logistic footprint that would have resulted in logistical issues, whereas wheeled vehicles are less intimidating and have a greater range, a higher top speed and a lower maintenance burden.

INITIAL SOLUTION

Main Image: Under the Army 2020 structure, within the Adaptable Force three Light Cavalry Regiments will be equipped with Jackal 1,2 or 2A model High Mobility Weapons Platforms

With the threat level rising, and the fighting getting more and more intense in both theatres (which led to sky-

2 & 3: A total of 441 Jackal High Mobility Weapons Platforms should enter the core vehicle fleet with the bulk of them being employed with reconnaissance assets of the British Army

As a first measure to solve these vehicle issues, equipment in service was modified ad hoc and fitted with add-on armour packages and mine protection kits. While these measures resulted in a decent degree of protection for vehicle occupants, they also increased the operational weight of the vehicles. This in turn resulted in reduced cross-country capabilities as well as additional wear and tear.

the equipment is retained unsupported until it is no longer usable and then is disposed off. Judging that the equipment is effective on the operation but offers no long term benefits is another option. In this case the equipment is supported for the length of the operation, with funds being drawn from the Conflict Prevention Fund. With the end of the operation the equipment is then disposed off. Finally it might be judged that the capability of the equipment is

Combat & Survival

effective on the current operation and furthermore offers sufficient potential to influence the outcomes of future deployments. If this is the case, after a more in-depth review it could be integrated into the core equipment of the British Army. For the length of the operation the Project Team now has to both plan how the equipment is supported and consider how it might be after the end of the operation. Funds for supporting the equipment in this case are drawn from the Conflict Prevention Fund up to the end of the deployment and after that from the coffers of the Ministry of Defence.

2,000 PROTECTED MOBILITY VEHICLES

Together with the statement made on the 16th December 2013 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence that some 2000 Protected Mobility Vehicles, procured with UOR funds, would be integrated into the core equipment of the British Army he also announced that £1.5 billion had been allocated for proper integration into the core vehicle fleet and future support. Some details about which types of Protected Mobility Vehicles and how many of each will be integrated into the core vehicle fleet of the British Army were also revealed, with him mentioning that the total included : 71 Coyote Tactical Support Vehicle – Light; 325 Husky Tactical Support Vehicle – Medium; 441 Jackal High Mobility Weapons Platforms; 439 Mastiff

22 Combat & Survival

Main Image: It has been stated that 169 Ridgback Protected Patrol Vehicles, a variant of the Force Protection Inc. Cougar MRAP designed for the USMC, are earmarked for service with the core vehicle fleet 4: Some 50% of Ridgback Protected Patrol Vehicles in the Troop Carrier Vehicle configuration are fitted with the Selex Galileo Limited Enforcer Remote Controlled Weapon Station 5: The Ridgback Protected Patrol Vehicle has been procured in Command Vehicle and Battlefield Ambulance variants in addition to the Troop Carrier Vehicle seen here

Protected Patrol Vehicles; 169 Ridgback Protected Patrol Vehicles; and 60 Warthog Armoured All-Terrain Vehicles. In the December 2013 issue of DESIDER – the in-house magazine published by the MoD's Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation - in addition to this it was announced that 125 of the Wolfhound Tactical Support Vehicle – Heavy will also be integrated into the British Army's core vehicle fleet . It was also stated that together with these vehicles a range of auxiliary equipment will be integrated into core, including mine rollers, emergency lighting and egress equipment.

Army 2020 structure for a duration of at least one decade. After their return from Afghanistan, and prior to being issued to the units that will own them, the vehicles will be repaired and brought to unit entry standard by mechanics at the Herrick Exchange Point facility in Warminster.

It looks like it is planned that the Protected Mobility Vehicles will form the backbone of Some vehicles will also be put through the British Army's patrol capability under the individual upgrade programmes. For

The latest variant of the Mastiff that has been procured by the British Army is the Mastiff 3 PPV - variants of the 6x6 sibling to Ridgback include a Troop Carrier Vehicle and a EOD Team Vehicle 6

example, modifications carried out on the vehicles will bring them in line with standards required by UK traffic regulations. In some cases vehicles will also be kitted out for different roles in order to meet requirements of the Army 2020 structure.

ARMY 2020 STRUCTURE

But where will those Protected Mobility Vehicles to be integrated into the core vehicle fleet be employed under the Army 2020 structure? Some details about the fielding can be gleaned from the Army 2020 Report, issued in July 2013. Under the new structure each of the three Armoured Infantry Brigades of the Reaction Force will be able to field one Heavy Protected Mobility Battalion, equipped with Mastiff PPVs. Three rifle companies of these battalions will each be able to muster 14 Mastiff PPVs. In the report it is stated that the battalions

in question will be: 4th Battalion, The Rifles based in Aldershot; 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, also based in Aldershot; and The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland based in Catterick. A large number of the Protected Mobility Vehicles will also be employed by the so-called Adaptable Force. This formation includes seven Infantry Brigades which muster three Light Cavalry Regiments equipped with Jackal High Mobility Weapons Platforms. Each of these regiments will also include three Sabre Squadrons each equipped with 16 Jackal High Mobility Weapons Platforms. The regiments will be: the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) based at Leuchars; the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards based at Swanton Morley; and the Light Dragoons based at Catterick. The Adaptable Force will also include six Light Protected Mobility Battalions

6: Within the Army 2020 structure three Heavy Protected Mobility Battalions will be equipped with the Mastiff 1, 2 or 3 marks of the 6x6 PPV 7: In addition to Protected Mobility Vehicles specialist auxiliary equipment will be integrated into core, including mine rollers, as on this Mastiff, emergency lighting and egress equipment Images ÂŠ CARL SCHULZE

which will be equipped with the Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicles. The Foxhound development and procurement started initially as an UOR programme project but at an early stage became a core equipment procurement project. To address Urgent Operational Requirements caused by the deployment of British forces to Iraq and Afghanistan under Operations HERRICK and TELIC, equipment worth over ÂŁ3.6 billion was procured and rushed to the front. Among this was a large quantity of Protected Mobility Vehicles. On the 16th December 2013 it was confirmed by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Dunne, that some 2,000 of these will be integrated into the core vehicle fleet of the British Army. In this article we sum up some of the details revealed so far about which vehicles will be kept, rather than cast, and how they will be employed but first let us take a quick look back before we take consider current and future developments.

Combat & Survival

7: The Wolfhound Tactical Support Vehicle – Heavy is based on the Mastiff PPV - it is planned that 125 of the Wolfhound TSV–H will enter the core vehicle fleet of the British Army 8: The Wolfhound TSV–H can be used for various support tasks for example as resupply vehicle or, as seen here, as an armoured prime mover for the L118A1105mm Light Gun 9

9: The Husky Tactical Support Vehicle – Medium was procured to replace the Pinzgauer TUM(HD) and the Pinzgauer-based Vector LPPV - Utility , Command, and Heavy Weapon variants are in service 10: In total some 325 of the Husky Tactical Support Vehicle – Medium, derived from the US-designed Navistar / International MXT-MVA, should also enter the core vehicle fleet 11

11: The Warthog Armoured All-Terrain Vehicle, fielded in Afghanistan from October 2010, was procured in Troop Carrier Vehicle, Command Vehicle, Ambulance and Repair and Recovery Vehicle variants 12: Some 100 Warthog Armoured All-Terrain Vehicle were procured with UOR funds and according to the Minister at least 60 of these will be integrated in to the core vehicle fleet 24 Combat & Survival

UK Equipment News

Combat & Survival

UK Equipment News

The UK Ministry of Defence has just shelled out over £50 million on new night vision and laser equipment plus lightweight binoculars to enable troops to spot potential threats earlier and to better protect themselves against the enemy during day and night operations. In mid-January, as the first of the new lasers and binoculars were being issued to frontline troops, C&S was invited to join the Infantry Trials & Development Unit on the ranges at Warminster to try out the new laser for ourselves and then shown soldiers undertaking room clearances using headmounted night vision devices and laser modules in a darkened urban training facility.

rom the top down, the new package consists of: four thousand additional sets of Head Mounted Night Vision Systems (HMNVS), procured specifically for the Army Reserve; fifteen thousand pairs of new lightweight and ergonomic binoculars, purchased to be used alongside upgraded laser light units; and a state-of-the-art laser light module for the SA80A2 assault

Combat & Survival

Above: The new Laser Light Module can be used in daylight with or without optical sights as well as in low light or even total darkness in conjunction with the Head Mounted Night Vision System Right: Right: The new Steiner 8x30R Military LSBC (Land System Binocular Capability) optics are replacing the old and much heavier Avimo L12A1 7x42 binos Images © Bob Morrison : Military Scene

rifle able to illuminate targets out to 800 metres distant, which will be issued to all infantry soldiers. The HMNVS, which has seen operational service in both Iraq and Afghanistan, is the AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device manufactured by ITT Exelis, the binoculars are the Steiner Military 8x30R (supplied by GMK of Hampshire) and the Laser Light Module Mk.3 is the Vario-Ray from Rheinmetall Defence. When the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, visited ITDU at Warminster to see the new kit in action he stated: “The ability to see further and in more detail will allow British troops to stay one step ahead of danger. The multi-million

pound investment makes clear the MoD’s commitment to equipping our Armed Forces, including Reservists, with world-class battle-winning technology. These binoculars, laser aimers and night vision goggles will improve situational awareness and reduce collateral damage across the battlefield.” The HMNVS is, of course, a wellproven bit of kit which many of our military and ex-military readers will be familiar with, but when used in conjunction with the new laser light module aiming device it will give the infantry section greater capability in low light / no light operational conditions. As part of the demonstration, before going out onto the firing ranges to shoot with the laser, C&S was given the opportunity to walk through ‘the warehouse’ at ITDU in darkness, observing a pair of infantrymen clearing rooms containing targets using HMNVS in conjunction with the new LLM3. We were very impressed. As for the new 8x30 binos, which replace the Land Service Binocular 7x42 L12A1 manufactured by

Avimo, they are 50% lighter than their predecessor and their shape makes them easier to hold but they still offer excellent magnification. In service with many NATO nations, the R suffix denotes that this is the model with the military reticule. The LLM3 (Vario-Ray) is also much lighter than its predecessor, the LLM01, weighing less than 250 grammes, but it also offers significantly more range with its red spot being capable of illuminating a target at 800 metres distance. This means that not only can it be used for both close quarters combat, where accurately shooting from the hip is possible without the need to first obtain a sight picture and for normal infantry range engagements of around 300 metres, but section sharpshooters can also use it with confidence out to nearly half a mile in total darkness. One of the major benefits of equipping infantry sections with a medium to long range laser light modules and helmet mounted night sights is that at night a spotter can silently but accurately mark a distant target for the entire section and then call down massed fire to achieve total surprise in a way that was

The new Laser Light Module Mk.3 from Rheinmetall is their VarioRay model. Is is replacing the heavier and lesser range (black) LLM01. The yellow lead is for training purposes to ensure the laser is only operated in eye-safe mode when training and the brown lead is for operational use. A white light torch is mounted underneath as part of the system to complement the visible red laser and infrared laser functions

impossible when a tracer round needed to be fired to identify the target to other soldiers. As every member of the infantry section or multiple on operational deployments will be equipped with LLM3 and HMNVS, any one of the team can now become a spotter and use their PRR (Personal Role Radio) to alert their colleagues precisely where to bring fire to bear in total darkness.

Combat & Survival

UK Equipment News

Above: To quote MoD photographer Andrew Linnett, who with my camera grabbed this shot of me shooting from the hip using the LLM Mk.3 on SA80A2: â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was a truly frightening sight!â&#x20AC;? Thanks mate. However after two near misses I put my third and fourth rounds (right photo - circled in red) on target courtesy of the laser despite my very poor eyesight Left: The HMNVS is already in service but a large quantity of additional units has been procures for Reservists - I took the green shot inside the darkened indoor range by simply placing the night vision device against the lens of my camera

In addition to the standard functions the LLM3 VarioRay features an integrated electronically focusable infrared illuminator as well as an IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) laser. The unit incorporates a high intensity (100m in darkness) 8-Watt white light lamp and runs off just two 3-Volt batteries. Unfortunately, due to the short notice we were unable to get our Firearms Tester, Greg Roberts, down to Warminster in time for the demo so yours truly had to pick up a rifle for once. As I have an astigmatic eye defect, as a result of an industrial injury, I do not usually shoot for C&S but using the LLM3 even I was able to achieve passable results shooting from the hip.

Combat & Survival

A NEW, QUALITY MONTHLY MIXED MARTIAL ARTS MAGAZINE

THE NUMBER ONE BRITISH NEWS-STAND MAGAZINE FOR MILITARY ENTHUSIASTS AND SURVIVALISTS Now on sale in over 30 countries. Combat reports, military weapons, special forces, the best for survival www.combatandsurvival.com

MMA UNCAGED spotlights shows such as BAMMA, 10th Legion, Cage Warriors, UFC, Strike Force and Cage UK. MMA techniques, sports nutrition and training advice from industry well-knowns, plus interviews with top fighters and MMA stars. www.mmauncagedmag.com

THE UK’S NUMBER ONE MARTIAL ARTS MAGAZINE For novice to blackbelt, traditional stylists to the crosstrainer. Written for martial artists by martial artists. Tournament reports & results, techniques, ‘how tos’, expert advice and overviews, calendar of events, coverage of Bruce Lee and martial arts in the media. www.maionline.co.uk

THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! 01484 435011 www.martialartsltd.co.uk THE MAGAZINE FOR LOVERS OF HORSES AND RURAL LIVING Horse & Countryside is a glossy monthly magazine with heaps of horsey stuff and a colourful array of other features embracing rural living, such as gardening, keeping hens, cookery, crafts, fashion and dogs. www.horseandcountryside.com

AVAILABLE EVERY MONTH FROM ALL GOOD NEWSAGENTS. TO SUBSCRIBE TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, PLEASE CALL OUR CREDIT CARD HOTLINE TODAY!!

Elite Forces

On September 11th 2012, eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the American consulate in Benghazi was stormed by a mob of angry, armed Libyan militia. The details of the attack remain hazy, the perpetrators faceless and accusations of denial and cover-up have been all over the media, permeating to the highest levels of government. The then US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, jumped from the hot seat to semi-retirement out of the limelight with the tragic events on that hot North African night seemingly compromising any future she might have in high level politics. The fact that, at the end of the violence, a United States Ambassador and three other diplomatic staff were dead and a US diplomatic compound left in shambles led to a lot political bickering and finally to concrete military decisions.

Main Image: After discussing each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weapons and tactics Legion (top) and Marine snipers spent several days working together in the field 1: The MV-22B Osprey allows the Marines of the SPMAGTF greater range than a helicopter but it does not require a conventional runway like a fixed wing transport aircraft 2: French Legionnaires stream from a USMC Osprey - the tiltrotor is replacing the CH-46 Sea Knight and has seating for 24 combat infantrymen like its predecessor

A JOB FOR THE MARINES

The Foreign Service Act of 1946 provided for the formal and permanent use of US Marines as security guards at embassies and diplomatic outposts of the United States. This followed a long history of cooperation between the US. State Department and the Corps. In the past there had been a number of situations where Marines have served on special missions as couriers, guards for embassies and legations, and to protect American citizens in unsettled areas. Since then detachments of MSGs (Marine Security Guards) have been

deployed in US Embassies throughout the world; usually the size of a unit is five enlisted Marines and a single detachment commander. In response to the attack on the US diplomatic facility in Benghazi, the

Combat & Survival

Elite Forces

Legionnaire infantry section sharpshooter armed with a 7.62mm FRF2 sniper rifle provides landing zone security for a USMC Osprey

military began looking for a solution to the increasingly dangerous extremist element in North Africa and the threats they pose to American interests in the region. As the situation was most likely to involve diplomatic facilities and diplomatic personnel the Pentagon looked to the Marines. In April 2013 the Pentagon announced the creation and deployment of a USMC quick response force for North Africa which would use the range and speed of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to be able to respond to similar events in the future. The newly formed Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response, or SP MAGTF-CR, is part of USMC Forces Africa and has been based at Moron Air Force Base in the south of Spain; this putting them less than a one hour flight to the African continent and within range of the all of North Africa, as well as a good part of the continent’s volatile sub-Saharan West coast.

COMBINING FORCES

The Crisis Response Group is basically a quick response force whose job is get an adequate number of men and equipment to a crisis area and control and/or defend a limited zone until the situation can be defused or until reinforcements arrive. Combat elements of the group are mostly comprised of Marines from the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion and the 1st Marine Division from Camp Lejeune,

Combat & Survival

NC, with airlift being provided by the Marine 162nd Tilt-Rotor Helicopter Squadron.

The MV-22B Ospreys are organic to the unit; this adds a significant capability to the operations of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response rarely found in other military organisations of this type. Directly supporting the Crisis Response forces, the Ospreys provide quick deployment to support potential crises over large areas of US Africa Command. Their range of intervention is greatly extended by the refuelling capacities of the two KC-130J Hercules tanker planes permanently attached to the unit. As it stands at the moment the 500 Marines and Navy personnel of the Crisis Response Task Force could be broken down as follows:• A reinforced infantry company of about 175 Marines, containing sizeable sniper units and with an emphasis on reconnaissance and urban warfare. • Six Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and two KC 130s, with flight crews and maintenance personnel, totalling around 180 personnel. • A Command Centre and Logistics and Support of about 140 Marines and Navy personnel. The Crisis Response Force has a solid support and logistics base with the advantage of having its air transport, the MV-22B Ospreys, incorporated into the unit. The ground force is about half combat rifle and half sniper/

3: Stationed at Morón de la Frontera airbase, about 25 miles or 40km south-east of Seville, the Marines of SP-MAGTF are less that 90 miles (145km) from North Africa

recon. The rifle squads carry basically the same weapons as other Marine combat units: either the M16 or the M4 (basically designed around the M16 platform in a lighter, shorter version) and the M27 automatic rifle, which is a 5.56 light machinegun which has

replaced the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon). The sniper units carry basically the same long range weapons as their counterparts in other Marine scout/sniper units.

to play an important role in the week’s exercises. From the airport they were shuttled out to Camp des Garrigues; a military training centre frequently used by the Legion.

A FRENCH CONNECTION

Facilities at the centre include a number of firing ranges for small arms as well as mortar and machinegun ranges with targets adapted to a variety of live fire exercises. In another part of the camp there is a combat village and a number of buildings specially adapted to urban warfare training.

The Crisis Response Force is on 24/7 alert status, which means that it should be operational and in flight within six hours or less. But, nevertheless, training still has to continue. In October a group from the Crisis Response Force flew from their home base in the south of Spain for a joint training exercise with the 2nd Infantry Regiment (2nd REI) of the famed French Foreign Legion who are also stationed in the Mediterranean region. Because of their principle mission, the Marines who exercised in France were only a contingent from SP-MAGTF Crisis Response, as most of the unit remained at Moron Air Base in Spain, on constant alert. A combat group of the MAGTF was flown in to an airbase near Nîmes in France, home of the 2nd REI. They were accompanied by an Osprey tilt-wing aircraft and its crew, who were

MORE SIMILARITIES THAN DIFFERENCES

For several days combat groups of Legionnaires and Marines were set up and began working together in a number of tactical situations and on live fire exercises, giving them the opportunity to try out each other’s weapons and to get to know each other. There are over a hundred and fifty different nationalities in the Legion and the 2nd REI has its share. Language could have been a problem but a number of English-speaking Legionnaires were present and all went smoothly.

4: A mixed multiple of US Marines and Legionnaires photographed following an urban warfare exercise scenario at the French Camp des Garrigues training facility 5: During the field exercises in France the US Marines wore the temperate variant of MARPAR digital camouflage and used their own weapons 6: During the 7km obstacle run at the end of the week the Legionnaires and Marines worked as a team, helping each other out, rather than as two competing formations

As the infantry went through their specific training, the Legion and Marine snipers teamed up to do a similar exchange of weapons and tactics. They spent several days working together in the field and into the night as their passion for their very specialised MOS led them into endless discussion. The Marine snipers were carrying the Knights Arms 7.62mm M110, a semiautomatic sniping platform with a 3x-15x scope, as well as the Barrett .50 calibre sniper rifle, also in a semi-auto model. The Legion snipers were equipped with the FRF2 French manufacture 7.62mm rifle, which is bolt action, as well as the .50cal Barrett, in both bolt and semiauto actions. The Crisis Response Force had never worked with the Legion before but almost all the Marines I spoke with were impressed by how similar the Legion approach to combat and tactics was to their own. This was true for the rifle teams and also, surprisingly so, for the sniper teams whose task is not only highly technical but highly intuitive and individualistic to an extreme. The week’s events culminated on Thursday October 31st, as Marines and Legionnaires boarded the MV-22B Osprey to be shuttled to the urban warfare compound that served as the day’s objective. Combined LegionMarine combat teams assaulted the

Combat & Survival

Elite Forces

enemy ‘stronghold’, communicating and working together as they manoeuvred around and through the metal warehouses, concrete urban structures and danger areas which made up the compound. Blank ammunition re-created the sounds and smells of the battlefield as the assault teams faced off with an enemy insurgent group played by fellow Marines and Legionnaires. The exercise ended after the force had worked its way through a final building, eliminating the enemy forces inside using room-clearing tactics and techniques they had worked on over the preceding days. The final event of the week was a seven kilometre obstacle run set up by the Legionnaires. I would have thought that this would be a meeting of rivals, the two units competing against each other, but as it turned out a spirit of camaraderie set in and the Marines and Legionnaires blended together to encourage and push each other over and through the obstacles. The end result was that, even though they started the race as individuals, the effort formed them into one group with Marines and Legionnaires crossing the finish line together.

TRAINING ADAPTED TO THE MISSION Captain Kyle Stuart, an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium

Combat & Survival

Tiltrotor Squadron 162 from SP-MAGTF Crisis Response holds the honour of being the first pilot to fly an Osprey into France. The Legionnaires of the 2nd Company from 2e Régiment Étranger d’Infanterie (2nd Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment) were the first French troops to have boarded one of the tilt rotor craft for tactical manoeuvres. Just two firsts in this interesting week of bilateral training. Lieutenant Larson, the Marine Crisis Response Force press officer, laid out the key role of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response: “Our primary mission is embassy defence reinforcement, which could also involve non-combatant protection and evacuation. The men are also prepared for tactical recovery of aircraft and flight crews and have the necessary logistics and organisation to carry out humanitarian missions and disaster relief. In a more general sense we are capable of providing airborne support to other units in a wide variety of situations.” One might add that in any operation he Crisis Response Force would be involved in they may very well be working with other allied troops as crisis situations usually involve a number of different nationalities. Disaster relief operations also tend to be a joint effort with several countries participating. Joint training exercises like this one with the French are an excellent way to prepare the men for that eventuality.

US Marines (in Desert MARPAT) and Osprey crew members (in plain sand uniforms) learn how to field strip the French FAMAS assault rifle Images ©

RICHARD LUCAS

From what Lt. Larson told me, I could see that the training exercise held at Camp des Garriques was time well spent and well-suited to future operations Crisis Response Force might be involved in. For a newly formed unit, the Task Force had performed well. They had efficiently set up a command and logistics centre and had established ground air communications on the first day. From there on the training went according to schedule. Captain T. D. McAbee, the officer-incharge of the exercise for the Marines, probably summed it up best, saying: “Our unit’s alert status can make it a challenge to get away and do these types of events. But bilateral exercises are integral for maintaining our ability to focus on our mission and sharpen our skills while fostering improved military relations with our sister nations’ militaries.” At Endex the unit from Crisis Response headed back to Spain and back to 24/7 alert status in a region that is becoming more and more volatile. With the continuing chaos in Libya, Algeria seemingly on the brink of its own Arab Spring, and neighbouring Tunisia in political discord another crisis situation in the area looks to be almost inevitable. So it seems very likely that SP-MAGTF Crisis Response, America’s newest elite unit, may find itself in the crisis zone sooner rather than later.

Despite its size and weight the Boxer offers outstanding crosscountry capabilities - this GTK Boxer A1 Gruppen transport fahrzeug wheeled APC was photographed in Afghanistan in July 2013

The Gepanzertes Transport Kraftfahrzeug (Armoured Transport Vehicle) Boxer, also known as Boxer MultiRole Armoured Vehicle (MRAV), recently entered operational service with the German Bundeswehr. Since 2011 the vehicle has been deployed with the German ISAF contingent in northern Afghanistan. This two-part briefing will cover the Boxer's development history and technology and also describe the variants already in service with the German armed forces.

ince the end of the Cold War armed forces around the world have begun more and more to replace tracked armoured vehicles with wheeled ones in their inventory. In case of some nations, there are even movements to totally phase out tracked vehicles and

Combat & Survival

1: The first GTK Boxer A0 APCs were officially handed over to the Bundeswehr in September 2009 and fielded at unit level in November 2010 - this vehicle of JĂ¤gerregiment 1 was seen in 2011 [Clemens Niesner] 2: Rear view of GTK Boxer A0 APC which offers its crew protection from anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, IEDs, heavy machineguns, medium calibre automatic cannons and artillery shells shrapnel [Clemens Niesner] Images ÂŠ CARL SCHULZE unless noted

replace them in all branches of the armed forces with wheeled armour. There are plenty reasons for this development. One, for example, being the changing mission spectrum of the modern armed forces which are moving away from the conventional warfighting of the Twentieth Century and are now focusing on peacekeeping, stabilisation and counterinsurgency (COIN) operations. For these types of missions highly mobile,

fast and well protected vehicles are required, which additionally can ideally be deployed rapidly by heavy transport aircraft.

The Boxer A1 is powered by an MTU 8V 199 TE20 diesel engine giving a top speed of 103km/h - this example belonging to the German ISAF contingent was seen in Afghanistan in 2013

3 Especially in the field of speed and mobility, wheeled vehicles have an advantage over tracked ones, and they are usually also easier to deploy due to being lighter. In addition, wheeled vehicles usually have a less aggressive appearance and cause less damage to roads and fields; both points are important factors that should not be underestimated in the battle for winning hearts and minds. Another reason for the move towards wheeled vehicles is money, as defence budgets are constantly shrinking and available funds are often limited. Wheeled armoured vehicles in most cases have the advantage that they can be procured at a much lower price than tracked, and maintaining them is also much less expensive. One reason for this is that wheeled vehicles often incorporate commercial off-the-shelf components, such as engines, transmissions and axles from commercial trucks. These developments are reflected by the quantity of modern latest generation wheeled armoured vehicles and vehicle families available on the international market today. In case of the western world this includes, among others: the Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) marketed by Nexter Systems in France and in service with the French Armed Forces;

3: In addition to the raised FLW 200 RCWS and the mine protection kit, modifications carried out on the Boxer A1 included the fitting of the Störsender CG-12 RCIED electronic counter measure system 4: The rear fighting compartment of the Boxer has seating for up to seven dismounts - the troops leave and enter the vehicle via a large rear ramp as seen here during operations in Afghanistan in 2013

the Piranha V marketed by General Dynamics European Land Systems MOWAG GmbH in Switzerland; the Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) marketed by Patria Oyj in Finland and in service with the Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Slovenian and Croatian Armed Forces; and the GTK Boxer Multi Role Armoured Vehicle (MRAV) marketed by ARTEC GmbH in Germany, in service with the German Bundeswehr and about to enter service with the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces.

5: Boxer follows a modular design approach - this A1 Gruppen transport fahrzeug APC consist of the automotive COLD WAR ROOTS module and the While the GTK Boxer MRAV belongs to mission module, which the latest generation of wheeled starts shortly behind armour, this vehicle which was the driver's designed under a modular philosophy compartment can trace its roots back to the 1980s

Combat & Survival

and the last decade of the Cold War. Up to that time it was believed in the world of military vehicles designers and developers that building of an efficient wheeled combat vehicle with a weight of over 20 tons was not viable. However the Experimental fahrzeug 8x8 (EXF 8x8) prototype built by the Mercedes-Benz AG in 1986, at the request of the Bundeswehr, proved the opposite. The vehicle, which weighed 32 tonnes and featured a Leopard 1 A3 turret with a 105mm rifled tank gun, incorporated state-of-the-art suspension and chassis technology that was twinned with new tyre technology and a central tire inflation system. During trials conducted by the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 41 (WTD 41) in Trier, the EXF 8x8 was found to offer equal capabilities to tracked vehicles in the field of offroad mobility and cross country travelling speed. The trials conducted with the vehicle generated vital data for future wheeled armoured fighting vehicle projects and benefited the later development of the GTK Boxer MRAV.

Combat & Survival

Main Image: Both front axles of the GTK Boxer are steered and to further reduce the turning circle of the vehicle to 15 metres a steering brake can be applied that stops all four wheels on one side of the vehicle 6: During the 2013 Informations lehrübung Ground Operations demonstration a GTK Boxer A1 negotiates a water obstacle - without preparation the vehicle can ford water obstacles 1,200mm deep

M113 AND TPZ 1 FUCHS REPLACEMENT

In the late 1980s the Bundeswehr began to look around for a replacement for its ageing fleet of M113 tracked APCs and Transportpanzer 1 Fuchs wheeled APCs. Following several studies it was finally decided to replace these vehicles with a wheeled personnel carrier which was given the designation Gepanzertes Transport Kraftfahrzeug (GTK), which translates literally in English as armoured transport vehicle.

In February 1990 the tactical requirements for the new vehicle were issued by the Bundeswehr. Around the same time France began with the development of the Véhicule Blindé Modulaire (VBM) as a replacements for the Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé (VAB) wheeled APC. Following this, the two nations agreed to join forces and a binational agreement about the tactical requirements for the new vehicle was signed in March 1993. In January 1995 this was followed by the issuing of the tactical technical requirement for the

vehicle, based on which the technical specifications were then established and two international consortia were invited to tender for the development and production contract for 200 of the new vehicles per nation. Team International included Henschel Wehrtechnik, Vickers Defence Systems, Alvis Plc and Panhard while ARGE GTK included Krauss Maffei, Wegmann, MaK, GKN Defence and GIAT. In July 1996 the United Kingdom officially joined the programme, looking for a replacement for its ageing fleet of FV432 APCs and other wheeled and tracked vehicles then in service. It was planned that the UK would procure about 600 plus vehicles. During the same year, concept studies for a 6x6 and 8x8 vehicle were conducted, and in April 1997 the bids of the tendering consortia were placed. In April 1998 it was announced that the ARGE GTK consortium had been selected for the contract as the 8x8 vehicle solution offered by it was seen as the more cost efficient solution, had a greater payload and interior volume and

offered more growth potential. In the meantime ARGE GTK, using its own funds, had built a 6x6 technology demonstrator. On the German side fielding of the 6x6 vehicle was considered as a much cheaper alternative to fulfil the mission of about one third of the approximately 3,000 vehicles that it needed to procure, so further development in this direction was conducted nationally, but the project was eventually terminated.

7: The vehicle commander is seated behind the power pack compartment, on the left side, centrally in the hull - to his front is situated the multi-function terminal of the Führungsund Informations system des Heeres and the Integriertes Führungsund Informations system für Kampf truppen C3 system

8: Each soldier in the rear fighting compartment has an In February 1999 ARTEC (ARmoured individual shockTEChnology) GmbH was formed as a absorbing seat with joint venture by Krauss-Maffei adjustable back and head Wegmann GmbH & Co KG, the MaK rest and four-point safety System GmbH and Britain's Alvis Plc. harness with integrated ARTEC from this point functioned as air bags in the shoulder prime contractor for the development and production of the GTK Boxer MRAV, straps

ARTEC GMBH

including programme management, system engineering, configuration management and contract administration.

9: Although the Boxer offers 14 cubic metres of protected volume the space available in the In September 1999, France pulled out rear fighting of the project after an argument about compartment for the the part its state owned GIAT Industries seven soldiers, who are (Groupement des Industries de l'Armée seated along the side de Terre) would play in the development walls facing inwards, is and production of the vehicle. Then in limited

2001 the Netherlands joined the programme as the armed forces of this nation planned to replace some of its ageing fleet of YPR armoured personnel carriers with the new vehicle; prior to joining the programme the country had been an observer since 1997. Also in 2001, production of the first GTK Boxer MRAV prototype for Germany started; the vehicle, an armoured personnel carrier version, being handed over for trials in December 2002. This vehicle was followed by a first GTK Boxer MRAV prototype for the Netherlands; a command post variant handed over in November 2003. Earlier the same year the United Kingdom announced its withdrawal from the Boxer programme as the vehicle would not meet requirements coming to effect by the 31st December 2004. In May 2004 the British Army launched the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programme, including the wheeled FRES UV (Utility Vehicle) and the tracked FRES SV (Specialist Vehicle). FRES was to take the place of the GTK Boxer MRAV. Ironically in 2007 the GTK Boxer MRAV was one of the three vehicles that were examined for the FRES UV requirement.

Combat & Survival

13 Parallel with the British withdrawal Alvis Plc pulled out of the ARTEC GmbH. Today ARTEC GmbH is owned by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinmetall Radfahrzeuge GmbH and Rheinmetall Nederland B.V. Here it has to be mentioned that the long development time of the GTK Boxer MRAV for a large part was the result of the constantly changing of partner nations, their requirements and the manufacturers involved.

FROM PROTOTYPES TO SERIES PRODUCTION

With the GTK Boxer MRAV programme being again a bi-national affair, work continued. Over the next few years the total of twelve GTK Boxer MRAV prototypes was completed, while at the same time intensive trials were conducted. Up to 2008, for example, as part of reliability trials the six German prototypes successfully covered 90,000km. In the meantime, on 19th December 2006 a contract for the series production of the GTK Boxer MRAV was signed by the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'ARmement (OCCAR), covering the production of 272 vehicles for Germany and 200 for the Netherlands. OCCAR was established by an administrative arrangement on 12th November 1996 by the Defence Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the UK. The aim of the OCCAR is to provide more effective and efficient arrangements for the management of certain existing and future

42 Combat & Survival

10: The gunner sits behind the driver on the right side, in the centre of the hull - in front of him is the control panel for the FLW 200 RCWS operated via a joystick attached to the armrest of his seat 11: The driver's compartment, accessed from the rear, is situated to the front right of the hull - the steering wheel can be adjusted in height and to the right is situated the automatic transmission gear selector 12: These two Boxer A1 APCs are fitted with the12.7mm M2HB QCB the sensor package of the FLW 200 RCWS includes a highresolution CCD day camera, a cooled thermal sight and an eye-safe laser rangefinder 13: The FLW 200 RCWS on the A1 sits 300mm higher than on the A0 variant - it can be fitted either with a 40mm Granat maschinen waffe, as seen here, or a 12.7mm M2HB QCB heavy machinegun

collaborative armament programmes. In 2008 series production of those vehicles for Germany commenced and on 23rd September 2009, at the KraussMaffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG production plant in Munich, the roll out of the first series production GTK Boxer A0 Gruppen transport fahrzeug (translates as group or section transport vehicle) wheeled APC was celebrated. Following this, in early 2010 final into service acceptance trials were conducted by the Bundeswehr in Australia and Saudi Arabia, with two series production vehicles. In November of the same year the first GTK Boxer A0 Gruppen transport fahrzeug APCs were handed over to the Infanterieschule Hammelburg school of infantry for training purposes and in December the first series production GTK Boxer Führungs fahrzeug A0 command post vehicle was handed over to the Bundeswehr. From early 2011 Jägerbataillon 292, a light infantry battalion of the DeutschFranzösische Brigade or Franco-German Brigade, was the first unit to receive the new vehicle and that August a first batch of five GTK Boxer A1 Gruppen transport fahrzeug APCs was deployed to northern Afghanistan for service with the German ISAF contingent. Among other minor modifications, the A1 variants now feature a mine protection kit, a raised (by 300mm) FLW 200 remote controlled weapon station and a Störsender CG-12 RCIED electronic counter measure system. In 2012 the GTK Boxer Führungs fahrzeug A1 command post vehicle and GTK Boxer A0 schwere geschützte

Sanitätsfahrzeug heavy ambulance variants were also deployed to Afghanistan. At time of writing (January 2014) some 30 GTK Boxer MRAVs are employed with the German ISAF contingent in Afghanistan. By August 2013 a total of 200 GTK Boxer MRAV series production vehicles had been completed and in the same month the first series production GTK Boxer MRAV in the configured as a driver training vehicle was also handed over to the Netherlands.

CONTINUED NEXT MONTH ...

Armour Focus 2

In the first article in his twoparter on the GTK Boxer (see page 38), Carl mentioned that this German armoured personnel carrier was one of three trial contenders selected for the wheeled (Utility Vehicle) component of the British Army’s FRES (Future Rapid Effect System) programme. When in late July 2007 the UK Ministry of Defence publicly unveiled what at the time they described as being the three ‘Trials of Truth’ contenders for the FRES-UV competition, C&S was invited down to Bovington to see the trio performing off-road over the range of standard obstacles used to evaluate mobility during the ‘battlefield day’ cycle.

ollowing the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, commissioned by the then recently elected Blair Government, the MoD decided that the British Army required a fleet of new armoured vehicles to replace the ageing FV430 Trojan Series of tracked personnel carriers, the

44 Combat & Survival

Scorpion/Scimitar-based Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance [Tracked] family and the wheeled Saxon ‘battlefield taxi’ troop carrier procured primarily for the Territorial Army. It was also considered that new generation armoured vehicles would be needed to fulfil new roles as combat missions evolved to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Through the latter part of the nineties and into the new millennium the UK participated in two international collaborative programmes; namely the Anglo/American TRACER and the Anglo/

Main Image: The Utility Vehicle (UV) component of FRES was envisaged as an airtransportable wheeled infantry section carrier for rapid response formations 1: FRES-UV Trials contenders Boxer, Piranha and VBCI in alphabetical order, with the German vehicle on the left

Dutch/German MRAV project which resulted in the GTK Boxer, but after spending nearly £200 million on the two projects it was decided to withdraw from participation and go it alone. In July 2003 the then Secretary of State for Defence stated: “we judge that the Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle (MRAV) is not ideally suited to the type of operations envisaged under the Strategic Defence Review New Chapter and other developing policy work. This, coupled with recent operational experience in the Balkans, Sierra Leone,

2 & 3: Using wheels rather than tracks increases operating range and reduces both routine maintenance requirements and component wear 5

4 & 5: Troops can speedily debus Boxer through a large hydraulically operated rear ramp but there is also a side-hinged personnel door in the ramp 6

East Timor, Afghanistan and latterly Iraq, has demonstrated the need for rapid deployability in expeditionary operations. MRAV is not considered able to meet this capability requirement which will be pursued through the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES). FRES will be a very significant component of the long-term transformation of the land battle through its contribution to network-enabled capability.”

In May 2004 the same SoS announced to Parliament: “The Ministry of Defence has approved the launch of a two-year assessment phase for the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES). FRES is the most significant armoured vehicle project for the next decade. It is central to the Army’s future force structure, providing a family of network-capable armoured vehicles as part of a coherent and highly deployable medium-weight force. It will

6 & 7: Boxer has excellent mobility and can keep up with main battle tanks crosscountry but on-road it is considerably faster and smoother than a tracked personnel carrier Images © Bob Morrison : Military Scene

deliver a step-change in the capability of our forces to meet the challenges of future expeditionary operations. FRES is also intended to meet the need to replace a number of in-service vehicles, such as SAXON, with modern, battlewinning equipment.” When the three FRES-UV trials vehicles were rolled out in July 2007, GTK Boxer was one of them, but subsequently it lost out to Piranha V. In December 2008 the wheeled FRES programme was dropped.

Combat & Survival

Footwear Review

LAST MONTH WE LOOKED AT THE BLACK COBRA GTX 8-INCH PATROL BOOT FROM MEINDL, MAKERS OF THE DESERT FOX WHICH IS IN SERVICE WITH UK MOD AS ONE OF TWO CHOICES IN THE DESERT COMBAT HIGH LIABILITY BROWN BOOT CATEGORY, AND OUR INITIAL IMPRESSIONS WERE THAT THIS ULTRALIGHTWEIGHT FOOTWEAR SEEMED TO BE VERY GOOD INDEED. THAT BOOT IS ACTUALLY ONE OF A TRIO, WITH THE BLACK ANAKONDA BEING THE 6-INCH VERSION AND THE BLACK PYTHON BEING MORE OF A SHOE THAN A BOOT. FOR A SECOND OPINION ON THIS FOOTWEAR FAMILY WE GAVE JITKA A PAIR OF PYTHONS TO TRIAL.

An incredibly lightweight hi-tech composition sole, which offers good traction and is flexible yet torsionally stable, is a major feature of the superbly comfortable Meindl Black Python GTX leather and fabric upper GoreTex breathable waterproof membrane lining all-weather patrol shoe Images ©

BOB MORRISON

s this Gore-Tex lined shoe is intended for those in uniform, be they security or first responder professionals, who spend a lot of time on their feet in urban environments, a few days pounding the pavements and pedestrian precincts of our capital city seemed a good initial testing ground. Several hours after starting out and with many miles having passed underfoot I asked Jitka for her opinion on the Pythons. Her response was: “They are just sooo comfortable!” That mirrors my opinion on the Cobra GTX, which is the lightest patrol boot I have ever worn, and as the Python GTX is a shoe crafted using the very same modern manufacturing techniques it is naturally even lighter. If you are in the market for a flexible but torsionally stable lightweight patrol shoe with a top quality waterproof and breathable membrane this smart model from Meindl is definitely worth considering. Highly recommended.

Combat & Survival 47

Although SIG Sauer is best known as a manufacturer of high quality semi-automatic pistols, making rifles is not exactly a new development for this company. Established in 1853 as a wagon factory located above the Rheinfall, at Neuhausen in Switzerland, the company opted to enter a competition to develop a rifle for the Swiss Army. Four years later, the Swiss Government awarded the factory with an order for 30,000 of their muzzle loading Prelaz Burnand rifles. At that point the owners decided to change the name of the company to the Swiss Industrial Company, or Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft, which we know today as SIG. In 1985 SIG Sauer established their company in the USA and by 1990 they were manufacturing handguns in Exeter, New Hampshire.

Main Image: The SIG 516 PDW model is equipped with a 7.5 inch (191 mm) barrel

1: The SIG 516 PDW will work well at close ranges where pistols would normally be used Images ÂŠ

GREG ROBERTS unless noted

large part of SIG Sauer's business revolves around military and law enforcement contracts for its successful handgun designs. Often when agencies contracted with SIG Sauer for handguns they also showed interest in buying rifles. SIG recognised that the AR15 / M16 family of rifles was clearly a dominant design worldwide. As well as

military units many law enforcement agencies have a lengthy history of using the AR design and SIG recognised that there was a strong interest for an improved version of this platform. Their answer was the SIG 516 series of .223 Remington / 5.56x45 mm NATO calibre rifles. The SIG 516 not only gave the

Combat & Survival

company a chance to tap into this broad market, but it also offered SIG a chance to bring its own unique approach to firearm design and manufacture to this popular rifle design. SIG started designing and manufacturing AR 15 style rifles with gas piston operating systems. The design of these rifles did not just utilise Swiss/German engineering experience during the design process, as both US and European engineering design experience went into the SIG manufactured AR rifle. Gas piston AR rifles, whose operation differs from the direct gas impingement method of operation of the original AR15 rifle, are becoming more popular. There are a few reasons for this, with the most popular being their ease of maintenance. There is no carbon build-up on the bolt or carrier and no combustion debris spread over the inside of the receiver. The only additional parts you have to clean are the gas plug, cylinder, and piston. After a range session it is much easier to attend to a piston system than a direct gas impingement system. The new generation of gas piston AR rifles are as reliable and accurate as

50 Combat & Survival ??

Main Image: The red dot sight enables the SIG 516 PDW model to deliver accurate hits, even when being fired in the full automatic mode. 2: The vertical pistol grip attached to the SIG 516 PDW model enables the user to deliver accurate bursts of full automatic fire

the original direct gas impingement design. Unlike the direct gas impingement rifles, which adhere to a 'mil spec' design, each company that manufactures a piston operating AR rifle designs and manufactures component parts using their own design and manufacturing technology. SIG manufactures all their major components such as receivers and barrels in-house.

THE SIG 516 PATROL RIFLE So what exactly does the new SIG 516 series bring to the AR design? Despite the AR's broad based acceptance and its many positive attributes, SIG recognised that the platform could use some attention in a few areas. The standard AR is easy to shoot well because of its excellent ergonomics and extremely good accuracy, but the direct impingement gas system requires a high

level of maintenance and cleaning. As a result, the SIG 516 dispenses with the direct impingement system and incorporates a proprietary gas piston operating system designed to offer reliable operation in even the most severe environments. The SIG Sauer SIG 516 Basic Patrol Model is a semi-automatic tactical rifle chambered in 5.56 mm NATO / .223 Remington calibre. This is an AR15 style rifle and has a gas operated piston driven system, which functions by the propellant gases cycling back through a tube located near the muzzle and then being directed onto a piston to drive the bolt back. With a steel barrel and receiver, it is made of lightweight aircraft grade alloy putting its weight at between 6.5 and 7.4 pounds, 14.3 and 16.3kg, dependent on the platform being used.

A bolt hold-open device locks the bolt carrier assembly open after expending the last cartridge from the magazine and is released by pushing the bolt catch lever located on the left side of the receiver. Alternatively, a left handed shooter can release the bolt by pulling the charging handle to the rear a short distance. The first generation of the SIG 516 AR rifle was introduced in 2010, with a second generation now in production. The upper receiver has a 15.9 inch (406 mm) free floating M4 profiled military grade chrome lined barrel with a phosphate protective coating on the outside of the barrel. Barrel lengths of 7.5" (191 mm), 10.0" (254 mm), 14.4" ( 368 mm ) and 15.9" (406 mm) are also available. As the barrel is free floating, this means it does not touch the fore end handguard. This free floating prevents the barrel from contacting the fore end when it heats up, which could alter the point of impact of the bullet. The barrel also has a corrosion resistant chrome lined bore. The receiver is manufactured from 7075-T6 aircraft grade aluminium with a charcoal black anodised surface finish. Other features include a four position gas regulator and a M1913 Picatinny flat top upper, to which a set of flip up iron Sights attached. All types of optical, red dot and laser sights can be attached to the M1913 Picatinny rail.

Main Image: The SIG 516 family can also be fired off the left shoulder - there is also an ambidextrous magazine release button, which can be operated by the left hand index finger. 3: The butt on the SIG 516 rifle can be set in six different positions and is shown here in the closed or stowed position 4: The SIG 516 is available in PDW, CQB, Tactical Patrol and Patrol models the PDW (top) and Patrol models are shown here 5: The SIG 516 will accept M16 magazines in 10, 20 and (as shown here) 30 round configurations

4 5

The Generation 2 version has undergone several improvements from the first iteration of the SIG 516. This model's four position gas regulator has been redesigned for easier removal for cleaning. SIG has also redesigned the proprietary barrel attachment system with a redesigned barrel nut. The newly designed attachment apparatus eliminates the need to realign the barrel nut with the piston or gas tube. They also redesigned how the gas piston is removed from the upper. On the Generation 1 you had to unscrew it, as it was threaded. Now all you need to do is depress the detent button and hand turn it counter-clockwise. Those of you who have a working knowledge of field stripping the FN FAL or SLR will be familiar with this type of gas regulation and piston system. The upper can be field stripped for cleaning with no tools.

6: The Patrol version EASIER CLEANING of the SIG 516 rifle is This is the favourite characteristic about fitted with a 15.9 inch piston operating AR rifles. Cleaning is (406 mm) long much less labour intensive than the barrel direct impingement system. The carbon

laden fouling is not piped into the receiver so the inside of the rifle will stay a lot cleaner for longer. The intensive cleaning can be concentrated on the inside the barrel and the gas piston assembly. The bolt carrier and receiver internals will not get as dirty as quickly and should suffice with a quick wipe after a shooting session.

DEPENDABILITY SIG Sauer prides themselves on the dependability and reliability of their products. They produced a video which graphically shows the variety of torture tests the 516 was put through, which included water, mud and sand. The rifle performed flawlessly in the video, but do not try this at home with a SIG 516, or anything else!

Combat & Survival

ACCURACY SIG 516 accuracy is more than sufficient for a service rifle. You will need to use ammunition loaded with a NATO SS109 bullet or heavier bullets to get the best groups. The barrel has a one revolution in seven inches rifling twist which is best for stabilising bullets in the 62 to 77 grain range. Groups that are shot with hand loaded ammunition built using the heavier match bullets will come close to one minute of angle (MoA). This rifle will also function reliability with ammunition loaded with 55 grain bullets that were designed for the earlier version of the AR15, which has a one revolution in twelve inch rifling twist. Groups will be bigger, but it is good to know that the SIG 516 will function with this type of ammunition. Remember the SIG 516 is not designed as a match rifle for target shooting - it is designed to be used as a duty rifle that functions reliability with different types of 5.56 mm calibre ammunition when being used in the harshest environmental conditions.

GAS PISTOL OPERATION One of the most notable improvements in the design of this rifle is that it is gas piston operated. When fired, a conventional AR rifle channels gas down a tube to the carrier shoe, which is attached to the bolt carrier. This is where the gas

52 Combat & Survival

stops, expending its energy to the spring loaded carrier pushing it backward into the stock. This extracts the spent case and chambers another round on its forward stroke. This system has performed, and still performs, extremely well but the gasses transferred to the bolt area carry a lot of carbon and fouling along with it, which can be left on the bolt carrier. This fouling needs to be removed during routine maintenance in order to ensure continued reliable operation. The gas piston system has been in use for many years, keeps the propellant gas at the front of the rifle at the gas block. The energy is then transferred to the bolt carrier via a solid rod that runs along the same path the gas tube ran. This keeps the fouling in the gas piston chamber. Although this means that it does not have to be cleaned as often, it will still need regular attention and maintenance. The SIG 516 features a three position gas regulator, located within the Picatinny rail topped gas block. Sporting a round, grooved knob, the regulator has three markings which are: a small white dot; a larger white dot; and a small red dot. The regulator is locked into position by a spring loaded plunger on the forward face of the gas block and can be adjusted without tools. A prominent white line on the upper right side of the block aligns with the dots and offers a visual cue to the gas system's setting.

Main Image: Numerous types of optical sight can be fitted to the SIG 516, such as the Trijicon ACOG shown here attached to the M1913 Picatinny rail 7: The four rail M1913 fore end allows the attachment of lights and vertical pistol grips as shown on this SIG 516 PDW model 8: The SIG 516 is field stripped for cleaning - from the top you can see the gas piston assembly, barrel / upper receiver, cocking handle, bolt, magazine the butt / lower receiver

The small white dot setting is for 'standard' or normal operation, allowing enough gas to be tapped from the bore through the gas block to operate the rifle under normal conditions. The larger white dot setting is for 'adverse' conditions and allows more gas through the system. The red dot setting is designed for use with a suppressor and minimises the amount of gas allowed through the gas block.

SIG 516 ASSEMBLY The rifle comes fitted with a six position adjustable stock and ergonomic pistol grip, which is a good addition to any AR. The adjustability allows it to fit a variety of different sized shooters and makes storing the rifle when not in use a little easier. It also comes with a four rail M1913 fore end for attaching a white light or a multitude of other devices. A flash hider is attached to the end of the barrel. .

DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS Although the SIG 516 incorporates improvements to the design, the gas piston system is the most significant of them. A standard direct impingement system drives not only carbon and

fouling into the action, but also a lot of heat. The result is a system in which lubrication can evaporate and lubrication is necessary to keep any firearm running reliably. The SIG 516's push rod gas system is designed to reduce this effect by isolating heat, and fouling, forward of the action and above the barrel, which keeps the critical action and chamber area of the rifle clean and cooler. In addition, any excess gas is vented out and downward in the forward portion of the handguard, just to the rear of the rifle's gas block through two vent holes in the piston rod. The family of SIG 516 tactical rifles is a recent product of the US based branch of SIG Sauer. It includes a semi automatic version, intended for civilian and law enforcement markets and a selective fire version, which is intended for the law enforcement and military markets. As previously mentioned, the SIG 516 tactical rifles use the AR15 / M16 configuration, with aluminium alloy upper and lower receivers assembled by two captive cross pins. The AR15 / M16 style rotary bolt gas operated action has the addition of the short stroke gas piston that runs inside the hand guard, above the barrel. The gas block is equipped with manually adjustable gas regulator. The trigger unit, manual safety and method of operation are also similar to the AR15.

Main Image: The one in seven twist rifling on the SIG 516 is designed to suit the NATO SS109 62 grain bullet, but it will also work reliably with both lighter and heavier bullets

9: On the lower receiver you can see the three position safety - the hammer is in the cocked position and the magazine release button is ambidextrous in its operation 10

10: The SIG 516 Patrol model has a 406mm M4 profile barrel - this allows an M203 40 mm grenade launcher to be attached [SIG] 11: The iron sights attached to the SIG 516 can be folded down and kept in place for emergency use in the event of failure of an optical sight [SIG]

Combat & Survival

The SIG 516 Patrol rifle has a 16 inch M4 profile barrel and adjustable M4 style butt. The SIG 516 Precision Marksman rifle has a longer 18 inch barrel and adjustable stock. In both versions the barrels are chrome lined, which enhances both the life of the barrel and corrosion resistance. The sighting equipment is installed using the integral Picatinny M1913 rail on the top of the receiver and on the additional four rails on the fore end. This rifle will accept M16 / AR15 magazines, but first ensure the reliability of a magazine with this rifle (or any other firearm) before pressing it into service. The standard M16 magazine will accept 30 rounds of ammunition, but 10 and 20 round M16 magazines are also available. This rifle has a more robust lower than original AR rifles, with heavier squaredoff lines like the area that houses the front pivot detent spring and area around the bolt release lock. Also there is a left side magazine release making this function ambidextrous. Inside, the frame is thicker with quite a bit more metal on the sides and back area for an improved durability. On an AR when the upper and lower start to wear a little, making for a less than tight fit, this can give you an annoying rattle. SIG have put a spring loaded adjustable detent in the lower right under the rear locking pin tab that keeps constant spring tension on the upper. If wear occurs it can be adjusted to keep the tension as it should. The end result is no more rattling between the upper and lower receiver.

54 Combat & Survival

Main Image: The flash eliminator can be removed from the end of the barrel of the SIG 516 PDW version to allow the attachment of a silencer 12: The SIG 516 CQB model is fitted with a 10 inch or 254 mm long barrel - the Picatinny M1913 rail on the fore end will accept numerous attachments [SIG] 13: The SIG 516 PDW has a 191 mm long barrel - with the butt fully closed the overall length is 627 mm long, which makes it easy to carry in a vehicle or even conceal under clothing [SIG]

SHOOTING THE SIG 516

nature, but the development of the SIG 516 taps into a design (the AR15 rifle) more firmly rooted in the United States. A desire to cater more directly to the AR15 market actually makes a great deal of sense as the company has expanded its USA operation. During the recent past years, the SIG Sauer facility in Exeter, New Hampshire has This rifle is quick to work around obstacles grown with the addition of employees, like barricades and windows making it a machinery and manufacturing space. great choice for close combat or This expansion has gone in conjunction defensive shooting. The shorter carbine with the company expansion beyond its barrel is better for retention during vehicle traditional market niche with handguns or building searches and still accurate and into service rifles. enough for the longer range shots. The SIG 516 is a very well made rifle. It Although many people consider SIG is well designed and engineered and it Sauer to be primarily a handgun is also very reliable. With the heavier manufacturer, the company's roots in 5.56 mm calibre bullets you will have all Europe are linked to some extremely the accuracy you will want and with the prolific and respected military rifle lighter 5.56 mm calibre bullets all the designs. In addition, the company also accuracy that you will need. offers a line of long range precision rifles, which show their credentials as a precision rifle manufacturer. For further information see sigsauer.com and for UK purchases go The overall thrust of the offerings from the to beechwoodequipment.com or ring company may seem to be European in 01372 468 555. This rifle comes with flip-up adjustable iron sights, but SIG's own mini red dot sight and many types of optical sight can also be used. This type of rifle is designed for mainly short range use, but it can be used at extended ranges of up to 400 metres.

PLUS Save 10% off cover price

BINDERS

From only £7.99! inc p+p Protect your copies of C&S in a tough, silver embossed binder

PLUS Free delivery to your door*

UK: £7.99 (Recorded) Europe: £11.99 (Airmail) Worldwide: £13.99 (Airmail)

Sub rates: 12 Issues UK: £42.66 Europe (Airmail): £49.95

How to subscribe...

Worldwide (Surface Mail): £49.95

Online at combatandsurvival.com Telephone: call 01484 435011 Post: return the form below

Worldwide (Airmail): £55.95 To receive your Turboflame Lighter just add the following for postage and packing: UK - Free of charge Europe: £8.10 Worldwide - £8.60

COMBAT & SURVIVAL - LOW PRICE SUBSCRIPTION OFFER (1 YEAR ONLY + FREE GIFT) YES! Please start my low-price subscription to Combat & Survival for 12 issues and send me my free Turboflame Lighter. Starting my subscription from issue: __________ YES! Please send me _____ C&S Binders. UK £7.99

Europe £11.99 (Air) Europe (Air) £49.95

World (Sur) £49.95

..........................................................................................

World (Air) £55.95

Please include P&P UK - FOC Europe - £8.10 Worldwide - £8.60 1 I enclose a cheque/PO made payable to MAI Publications Or Please charge my:

Visa

Mastercard

Credit Card Number: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Expiry Date: _ _ / _ _ Card Security Code: _ _ _ Issue No: _ _ Signed: ___________________________

Date: _____________

Surname: .......................................................................... Address: ............................................................................

World (Air) £13.99

Cheque/PO or credit card payment - 1 Year (12 Issues). UK £42.66

Forname: ..........................................................................

...............................................

Postcode: .......................

Tel:....................................................................................

Please indicate here if you do not wish to receive special offers from companies other than MAI Publications or if you are under 18 years of age. All gifts subject to availability. We reserve the right to substitute a gift of a similar value. Please allow 28 days for delivery.

Return your completed subscription to: MAI Publications, Revenue Chambers, St. Peter’s Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1DL ALL PAYMENT IN £ STERLING ONLY, THIS OFFER SUPERCEDES ALL PREVIOUS OFFERS

NITON Tactical Short Sleeve Shirt and Lightweight Trousers. Smart enough to pose in, while taking a break during a photo assignment, outside Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gaff in London without attracting undue attention from the armed police officers on duty?

Uniform Review

Combat & Survival

Uniform

THE C&S FIELD TEAM ARE NEITHER SOLDIERS NOR POLICEMEN, THOUGH MOST HAVE SEEN MILITARY OR POLICE SERVICE IN THE PAST, SO WE DO NOT DRESS IN ISSUE UNIFORM WHEN ON ASSIGNMENT THOUGH WE DO WEAR OR CARRY MILITARY KIT SUCH AS PROTECTIVE OR LOAD-CARRYING GEAR. HOWEVER THE NATURE OF OUR JOB MEANS THAT WE DO HAVE TO PRESENT A SMARTISH APPEARANCE AND WE REQUIRE FUNCTIONAL CLOTHING FOR WORKING OUTDOORS OR FOR TRAVELLING AWAY FROM OUR BASES, SO MORE OFTEN OR NOT YOU WILL SEE US WEARING SHIRTS AND TROUSERS WHICH ARE CLOSE TO A MILITARY STYLE. 58

Combat & Survival

Both Jitka and I prefer short sleeved uniform shirts. The close weave of these ripstop polycotton garments makes them warm and windproof - these photos were shot on cold days in mid and late January. Chest pockets are a decent size and have vertical access concealed pockets behind. Note also the chest pen slot and sleeve pen pockets. Shot of Bob on the firing range is Â©

NEIL HOPE

o illustrate this point, only last night our German-based senior contributor Carl pitched up in my Devon office, after spending a few days in the UK at Warminster and Bovington researching for a forthcoming APC book, wearing pretty similar uniform to what Jitka is wearing on these pages. Just as most readers will be at home wearing MTP or DPM combats, we are at our most comfortable wearing NITON or 5.11 tactical shirts and pants/trousers on the road, in the field, at the office, or even down the pub; indeed as I type this I am wearing a khaki short-sleeved NITON tactical shirt (NT25003) with blue jeans. The photos on these pages were shot while we were in London recently for

Both front and rear slant pockets on trousers have secondary pockets inside them and there is a cargo pocket on each outer thigh plus a pistol magazine pocket on the upper left front. The free Pocket Buddy stows in either cargo pocket and has a tape retainer which can be clipped to an internal D-ring for security

Combat & Survival

Uniform Review

a few days on a photo assignment and took some time out to both see the sights and explore a little off the beaten track. My assistant Jitka was wearing the navy blue version of the NITON Tactical Short Sleeve Shirt with Eclipse Epaulettes (NT25007) and the NITON Tactical Lightweight Trouser (NT20013) in khaki and I was wearing the black version of the shirt (NT25001). Both shirt and trousers are available in sand, as well khaki and navy blue, and there are midnight green versions too. Trousers come in three lengths (30”, 32” and 34”) with eleven waistband sizes starting at 30”. Shirts are in five sizes, from Small through to XXLarge, but are generously cut so you would need to be carrying more weight than a C&S Editor not to fit the XXL. If long sleeves are a necessity, there are also versions like this available but we prefer short sleeves most of the time. Designed to look smart yet still be functional, these lightweight shirts are tailored from a ripstop polycotton material which is hard-wearing and resistant to tears and abrasions.

Combat & Survival

They have two slightly bellowed chest pockets with Velcro closures to keep items secure but easily accessible, and behind each there is a vertical access hidden document pocket. Rank slides can be fitted to epaulettes on the shoulders if necessary, but if you need to go covert just unbutton and tuck away into a concealed pocket with Velcro tab to keep the strap hidden. There is a pen slot on the top of the left chest pocket and double pen pockets on the left sleeve. The lightweight trousers (NITON also do a heavier weight) are also tailored from ripstop polycotton and are styled on military designs, with plenty of pockets plus a reinforcing layer of fabric at seat and knees for durability. The waistband is elasticated at the sides for freedom of movement and comfort and their are reinforced loops for a 50mm waistbelt. There are two slash pockets front and rear, and inside these you will find secondary semi-concealed pockets. On each thigh there is a bellowed cargo pocket and high on the left thigh there is a pistol magazine pocket. Pocket closures are Velcro, there are four D-rings beneath the belt loops, and on the left hip there is a horizontal retention

Each shirt currently comes with a useful free wallet/ organiser with neck cord which can double as an ID holder or even take your Oyster touch-card if you are a regular London traveller. If you need to hide your epaulettes they can be simply tucked away in the shoulder pockets. Those Pocket Buddy bags are really useful for carrying small accessories tidily

strap for those wearing a pistol holster. Those buying NITON trousers online from niton999.co.uk currently receive a free colour-coded Tactical Pocket Buddy, worth £14.99, which fits perfectly inside one of the cargo pockets and can be clipped to the D-ring inside for added security. If buying a shirt, you receive a pocket organiser wallet in a matching colour; this wallet can be worn around the neck on a soft cord if you need to hide cash and cards and the Pocket Buddy has a myriad of uses.

Main Image: My son Bruce up high in The Lakes with the benefit of the Fizan Alp poles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the sort of place they are of real benefit 1: The Alps have two adjusters and come with interchangeable baskets and rubber hard surface ends 2: The locking system is a new take which works well - the pole is gripped on the outside, making it easy to keep clean, corrosion proof and offering a good friction area 2

I am a self-confessed poles fan. Perhaps for some readers, particularly Police and Military types, walking poles do not figure in their kit, but many fit and able walkers like myself use them a lot.

find poles improve my pace, as well as giving significant added security on difficult going, help when going uphill and give significantly improved braking downhill. As I found out, they can be almost a lifesaver if things go wrong, my poles helping me out when my leg gave up on me in a very inaccessible spot. There are many types out there, but the Alps from Fizan have taken a new and inventive look at the locking set up. From the beginning some poles required, especially after some use, a lot more than comfortable tightening to secure them. Even then, they had a tendency to loosen in use and could let you down; usually when under pressure and just when you least wanted them to. The lock set-up on the Alps has, so far and after good use, held fast and locked up with little effort. The system is simple and works. Perhaps it looks a bit bulky but this is not an issue and is not heavy. The rest of these poles are quite conventional with interchangeable â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;basketsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and rubber ends if needed.

Combat & Survival

Product - UK Contact: Fizan Alp/Allcord Algeos/Algeos Yak Trax/Algeos Telephone/Web: 0131 603 4494/allcord.co.uk 0151 448 1228/algeos.com 0151 448 1228/algeos.com

I had been waiting for some more suitable conditions to try these out but so far all it has done is rain and I did not have a chance to get to Scotland where the snow is.

have tried something similar to these in the past and really cannot understand why these are not more common in UK. To me it is an obvious solution to prevent at best a sore bum and damaged ego or at worst ... a lot worse!

Main Image: The two systems compared - Both these sets are quick and easy to fit to most both are easy to fit to a variety of footwear. items of footwear and light and easy to carry for when the going gets slippery. Due North use

3 & 5:The Everyday seen fitted to walking tungsten carbide spikes for durability and each boots. set comes with two spare replaceable spikes. The 4 & 6:The All Purpose system has more ‘sole’ which is made from very sticky rubber for additional grip. 7

attachment system is rubber, so both durable and easy to fit/ remove. If you are going to somewhere slippery a defo for me.

7: The fitting of the Yak Trax is quite substantial and they have the extra top strap for additional security

8: Yak Trax fitted - as can be seen are easy to pack away and not aggressive to pack into the day pack

Yak Trax Pro are from the same marketing stable as the Due North traction aids also covered in this issue. However these do a similar thing in a different way.

erhaps less aggressive than the spikes, but on the other hand they have more grip coverage with spiral wires around the rubber ‘frame’. They also have a Velcro strap over the top of the footwear so will not come off by accident; not confirmed, but they seem reasonably robust for this type of use. These traction aids

Images © MIKE GORMLEY can be usefully worn for any slippery surface, not necessarily just snow, being somewhere in between standard soles and walking crampons. Very handy to pop into the day pack or bergen if there is a chance of snow/ice higher up, they do not pose the same issues in carrying as crampons do so are much easier in a ‘just in case’ scenario. Worth having in the ‘tool box’. If it snows soon I will let you know how I get on with these.

Combat & Survival

Product - UK Contact: SIGG/SIGG Gerber/Gerber Fisher/GBA Pen Co. Telephone/Web: 0128 477 4741/sigg.com 0150 640 6277/gerber.co.uk 07702 238 064/gbapen.co.uk

Ellie making use of the SIGG Active after a long walk to the top of Exmoor

“When astronauts began to explore the reaches of outer space, Paul Fisher realized that there was no existing pen which could perform in its freezing cold or boiling hot vacuum. Countless experiments and a common sense approach to findings resulted in the invention of the sealed and pressurized Fisher Space Pen cartridge and in 1967, after 18 months of rigorous testing by NASA, the Space Pen was selected for use by astronauts.”

e all need to write things down and this can prove to be less than easy in more extreme conditions, even if just in the wet or when trying to rest whatever you are writing on upon the nearest tree. The good old biro can give up in such conditions and a pencil can break.

With a name like SIGG this flask has a reputation to keep. The Swiss company making aluminium drink bottles can be traced back to 1908. Renowned for their durability, many battered SIGGs live on for many years in rucksack side pockets.

his version steps forward in time and technology. Well shaped for a good grip in cold and wet hands (or hot and sweaty) it has a large diameter top with bite valve. Where this gets to be different is that the top very simply comes apart for cleaning and can be ‘switched’ to Close / Open / Air / Clean. Some explanation here: Air is to allow you to put the now common sports drink tablets into your water

Combat & Survival

without concern of over-pressurising the bottle, many of these effervescing as they dissolve; Clean, allows the cap to be taken apart. My only adverse comment on this bottle is that, although marked on the top, the positions of the various functions are not easy to see. They are small and the same colour as the base so when you are doing what you do and want a drink, it is all too easy to move it to Clean, where it comes apart. My solution is to move it to Open when likely to use it, say in a bike holder, and leave it there as the bite valve stops the drink coming out in most cases. As ever, SIGG brings some style to the drink bottle.

The Trekker Space Pen overcomes these issues. It is small and comes with a breakaway lanyard and carabiner. It can write at any angle and will perform at extremes of temperature (not tested). It also has a good rubberised grip; something so often lacking on pens. I can verify it will write, consistently underwater where a biro gave up. This one has gained a place in my ‘must take’ kit.

9: All the items in the Fisher 12 Space Pen kit – waterproof notepad not included 10: The SIGG Active in its component parts showing top taken apart for cleaning 11: The inner section of the top can be rotated to select the mode required - not so positive but it does work and allows for effervescent drinks to be used 12: The Gerber knife sharpener – does what it should

The BG (Bear Grylls) sharpener is a neat item contained in its own click shut plastic container. Inside is all you need to keep most of your blades in good and sharper condition. Neat and it works.

Survival

1 In fair weather the sea is both fascinating and dangerous but should never be taken for granted, even if you live on or close by the coast and and think you know it well, as when winds are high and sea states are rough its raw power and ability to take life are truly awesome. Since late December there has been a spate of incidents around Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shores - in the last week alone (between 26th January and 2nd February) no less than three anglers appear to have been swept away by waves - where members of the public have lost their lives on the shoreline.

t the beginning of January, when high spring tides combined with low pressure and very strong onshore winds, both Mike Gormley and myself independently headed down to the East Devon coast to photograph the power of the sea at Lyme Regis harbour and just along the coast at Sidmouth. Around the same time 18 year old photography student Harry Martin, on holiday from university in London, left his South Devon family home to take images of the stormy weather on a part of the coast he knew well; sadly his body was found in the sea ten days later. Harry was the third person to lose their life to the

Combat & Survival

Main Image: The water in Lyme Regis harbour, though grey and miserable like the background, is comparatively calm ... but look at those stormy waves battering the shoreline in the right distance [Bob] 1: Stand on almost the same spot from where the lead image was taken but turn 90 degrees to the right and the dangerous sea state begins to become apparent [Bob] 2: On the beach outside the harbour wall at Lyme the perilous state of the sea is more obvious [Bob] Images ÂŠ Bob Morrison and Mike Gormley

Cliff erosion at Sidmouth, just down the coast from Lyme - the red dot in the middle-ground on the beach is a walker taking a stroll one windy but sunny lunchtime [Bob]

This amateur photographer was looking for his ‘perfect storm’ shot on The Cobb at Lyme ... and almost came a cropper - that is the same quayside lamppost as in image 2 [Mike]

4 waves around the Devon and Cornwall shores over the course of just three days. It may be obvious if fishing from rocks that there is a potential danger from freak waves, but familiarity often breeds contempt and treating the sea with contempt is a very dangerous thing indeed. Possibly not so obvious are the dangers posed by landslips when walking coastal paths or along the shoreline beneath unstable cliffs, and losing one’s footing on a blustery day on soggy grass or wet rocks and taking a tumble is as easy as falling off a log. So never, ever, take wind and sea for granted. Your loved ones may regret it if you do.

3: Great light for taking dramatic photographs but unless you understand the sea and the tides it can be much more dangerous than it looks [Mike] 4: Just one minute later at Sidmouth, looking off to the right, and that blue sky has gone - the tide may be on the ebb but the strengthening wind might be enough to dislodge those unstable cliffs [Bob] Combat & Survival

Somerset Floods

Looking westerly from Burrow Mount over the village of Burrow Bridge - the village of East Lyng (see Comms on Page 5) is two miles distant on the left at the end of the flooded straight road

To the southeast of Burrow Mump the overflowing River Parrett has turned the Somerset Moors from wetlands into a massive lake stretching about four miles across almost to Langport Images ÂŠ Bob Morrison

Combat & Survival

Footwear Review

In the knowledge that not all C&S readers are going to be in the fortunate position of being issued with £150 a pair Military or Police boots by their employer and that some will have to dig into their own wallet if they want more than a low specification work boot on their feet, this month we are looking at a variation of a highly popular black patrol boot costing less than half that price. Marketed under the 5.11 brand, the Speed 2.0 is an easy to put on and remove derivative of the American company’s 8-inch ATAC boot.

vailable online from military1st. co.uk, I would describe this one as being of pretty much conventional ‘cop boot’ in design and it is definitely aimed at the black uniform boot wearer, be that in the security or first responder fields. The boot has a combination of leather and nylon uppers married to an oil-resistant and slip-resistant sole, with an antibacterial and moisture-wicking lining, open cell foam cushioning and an injectionmoulded phylon midsole.

Combat & Survival

This boot also features the 5.11 Shock Mitigation System, which is lightweight with superior compression and rebound, resulting in comfort, stability and optimal speed. There is also semi-rigid heel and toe reinforcement, cushioning insole foam and a non-metallic shank; the latter, like the plastic lace eyelets, being a boon for those in professions whose footwear should not contain metal. Outwardly this boot looks smart, and especially so if you keep the full grain leather toecap highly polished, but initially I suspected its chunky appearance might mean it was difficult to break in. I need not have worried,

because these boots are much more comfortable than one might suspect from their slightly dated appearance and I spent several hours in them on the first day without them feeling like brand new boots. One sales pitch claims that you will “feel like you are wearing running shoes because 5.11 designed these boots to be fast” - not

as far-fetched as one might think, even though they are not anywhere near as light as some of the latest generation composite styles; but at half the price you cannot really expect them to be. The lacing system on these boots is again pretty conventional in design, with eight eyelets each side and a central

One for that will not break the bank, this 8-inch black patrol boot from 5.11 aimed at security officers and first responders has leather and nylon uppers, a polishable toecap, an ATAC sole and YKK side zip which makes it easy to put on in a hurry

tape loop to prevent the soft tongue slipping, but the full-length straight YKK side zip makes them easy to put on or take off without needing to tie or untie laces. The sole is 5.11’s own ATAC composite pattern, with relatively open tread which seems to self-clean quite well, and the material is quite a grippy compound which is what one would expect of a police patrol boot. For more check out military1st.co.uk

Combat & Survival

o how safe is Sochi 2014 going to be? We should remember that in June 2013, the games were threatened by Dokka Umarov, who is leader of the Caucasus Emirate militancy. The militancy has a subgroup called the Riyad us-Saliheen Martyrs’ Brigade which has been responsible for many suicide attacks in the past, including those on public transport. Recent attacks linked to Sochi have included a Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) attack on the 21st October 2013 in Volgograd, in which a female suicide operative (Naida Asiyalova) detonated her device on a bus. This incident killed six and injured at least 28. The device functioned on a main road surrounded by open ground whilst the bus was on its way to a district which contained a cinema and several busy parks, which would be an obvious target in line with current Islamist extremism tactics. This would suggest that the device detonated prematurely due to a fault or that Naida detonated due to being discovered. The comparatively low casualty rate would suggest that she was sat down in a seat or that it was a small device

(perhaps to avoid being obvious). Of course, the device might have been detonated anywhere within the city, just to create fear and highlight the vulnerabilities of the transport system to both Russians and westerners alike or because the city itself, previously known as Stalingrad, has a strong connection with national pride and, due to its role in World War Two, is a symbol of the strength of the nation’s armed forces. The next major attack was on the 29th of December, when a male wearing a PBIED detonated his device at Volgograd rail station, killing 18 and injuring 40. The station had security equipment in place and operational (which might have been a surprise to the Islamist terrorist) and therefore the device may have been triggered prematurely - the main concourse would have been more crowded and the death toll higher- or the number of people

concentrated at the choke point created by the security arrangements might have been enough of a target. This attack was followed a day later, when another male Islamist with a PBIED detonated on a bus, killing 16 people and injuring 20. The devices were all linked in subsequent forensic investigation, which shows a cell

SOCHI 2014 How Safe Are The Winter Olympics? - By Robert Shaw

Combat & Survival

operating from Volgograd or the surrounding area.

The Winter Olympic Games are to be held in Sochi in Russia shortly and are expected to have thousands of visitors from around the world, which will be a huge boost for the local economy. But the main concern of both Russians and foreigners alike is the security of the venues and surrounding transportation hubs, especially given the rise of Islamic militancy in the region and a spate of high profile attacks.

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

So we know that the very people that have threatened the games are quite capable of producing viable IEDs and that they have motivated attackers, but how easy is it to attack the games? Although the incidents in Volgograd are being linked to the games, the Sochi area is in fact 1,000km away. The Russian security service, the FSB, will be just as efficient as it was when it was known as the KGB and since the current Russian president Vladimir Putin was a former KGB officer we can assume that it is well funded, supported politically and resourced accordingly. Since the Russians are going to be very security conscious over the games and will appreciate the spotlight is very much upon them, plus the fact that the state controls the ground and the population’s ability to move around, it would seem unlikely that there is a high risk of attack at the games venue itself. This would make sense of the attacks occurring in Volgograd, which would be seen as a softer target to attack and yet will still have a psychological effect and create security concerns on the populations of both Russia and the West. However, just as our security and intelligence agencies are finding in the West, the threat has evolved and we now see a growing number of attacks carried out by converts to Islam (including two of the three suicide bombers in the above attacks) which brings the problem of identifying terrorists, unless they have been spotted by intelligence agencies at an early stage of that process (by having Mosques and radical Imams under surveillance). If the terrorists do not seem Islamic and are not known, they may certainly get closer to Sochi but getting explosives and weapons through the security checkpoints might be a little bit more difficult, to say the least. Putin has also embarked on military operations in the Caucasus which will disrupt and displace potential attacks to Sochi; but the bottom line is really that one cannot stop every attack. The terrorists only have to be “lucky once” and so the US State Department are concerned enough to have put into place evacuation plans.

Combat & Survival