Ex DRAGON REVIVAL 2

101 Bn REME formed up in the PPRF

In 2020 REME Reserve units became increasingly dependent on Zoom and digital connections. 101 TS Bn was determined to not let this become the case, putting into place Force Health Protection measures to ensure their Annual Camp could go ahead. Four members of 101 TS Bn share their experience of going on exercise when the enemy is a virus.

Scribes: 2Lt Morris, WO2 Briscoe, and Cpl Darkwah, 160 Coy

The great Prussian military philosopher, Von Clauswitz, wrote ‘no plan survives first contact with the enemy’. In the case of 101 TS Bn REME on its annual camp, the enemy was COVID-19 and the Force Health Protection measures combined with the UK and Welsh governments’ ever-changing feast of local restrictions. The exercise was led by the Command team and permanent staff of 160 TS Coy, based in Wales. The plan was modified on an almost-daily basis as the Welsh boroughs along the M4 descended into ever greater restrictions. The COVID cake was iced with the arrival of a cohort from Manchester; the only thing they infected the posse with was a good dose of northern humour.

On 3 October last year, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, a group of 101 Bn REME personnel deployed on the Annual Continuous Training (ACT) exercise, DRAGON REVIVAL. Ex DRAGON REVIVAL was phase two of the exercise, broken down into segments where the initial two days of deployment were conducted in a virtual environment. Most service personnel took the opportunity to work

Exciting Pre-Deployment via Zoom

Learning how to connect a pack in the run-up module (RUM)

Cfn Andrews and Cpl Darkwah at the end of a long shift

was taken three times a day at the Ivy. It is fair to say that all were very well-ventilated spaces. The Platoon had to adhere to strict social distance rules; separate accommodation, ablutions, and routes, and face masks when in contact with Regular personnel. Dealing with facemasks was a challenge, especially in the noisy environment of a PPRF where the Platoon completed an induction course led by 5 Bn REME. The Platoon quickly got up the speed and, working alongside 1 Fd Coy, started to make an impact. On Thursday, the Brigade Commander, Brig Jo Chesnutt visited and the Reserves were able to demonstrate their ability to integrate into a Regular Company and produce tangible results. Platoon Commander, 2Lt Morris, explained some of the challenges the Reserves face, balancing work and family commitments with their Reserve obligations.

Later we moved from Old Fowler Barracks to Lyneham, and joined 15 Fd Coy, integrating into the shift patterns and COVID

Members of 101 Bn listen to Cpl Sim speaking on the maintenance and operation instructions for the generator

in the comfort of their homes for the first two days, requiring a series of Zoom briefs and training packages organised by the chain of command. ‘Scale A’ parade was called on the first day of exercise by the CSM of 160 Company. This meant all service personnel were to dress in MTP and present themselves as likened to a face-to-face parade. This was made easy by the video capability on Zoom which the CSM used to confirm a nominal roll. Plans and actions on the exercise were explained in detail during the virtual phase of deployment, with a caveat for service personnel to be flexible to embrace any changes due to the pandemic.

The ‘Perham Posse’ assembled at Gloucester and moved en masse to Old Fowler Barracks and into the pre-erected socially-distanced accommodation; the Ritz, Savoy and Hilton. Dinner

Enjoying the REME Museum

bubbles. Building on the induction we received at the PPRF, the Reserves quickly got up to speed and started to produce packs. Split across multiple lines, including Packs, Inspection, and B-Vehicles, the Reserves worked under a Regular line lead, in amalgamated teams, working well together and increasing production rates. The exercise concluded with a Culture Day, led by Cpl Williams. The Platoon embarked on a trip to the REME Museum and surrounding National Heritage sites, before returning to Lyneham to participate in a social (socially distanced, of course) evening with 15 Fd Coy. The evening was a success and signalled ENDEX for both Regulars and Reserves, and was a fitting Members of 160 Coy protect the completed end to the temporary pack for onward transportation partnership. As the sole Armourer deployed by 101 TS Bn, LCpl Knowler was employed within the Additive Manufacturing facility at 5 Bn. Here are his thoughts: “Spending the duration of Exercise DRAGON REVIVAL 2 with the additive manufacturing Platoon really opened my eyes to the possibilities of 3D printing. The possibilities of this technology are not just limited to rapid prototyping. The current projects being worked on included the replacement of parts that have long since been out of circulation due to the manufacturer losing the contract or just stopping production. It also allows for the manufacturer’s design to be altered in CAD and further improved. There was also the development of possible training aids for RTR and the start of development for new ballistic armour plate for the Virtus system. Although the technology is currently limited by the printing time, which can be extensive when dealing with larger objects, as well as limitations in some materials, it is advancing rapidly with metal printing being the next step. With the right backing and support, the ADM team will be able to deploy Makerspace modules loaded onto the back of Man SVs to theatres across the globe and produce replacement parts in a matter of hours. Once the technology advances, there is even the possibility of outfitting soldiers with 3D printed equipment in a matter of hours. This would completely negate the time and travel cost of ordering through the current system. The team at 5 Bn welcome ideas from any units and are also developing a course to deliver to the wider Army so modules can be deployed throughout the Army. So please get in touch.”