Engineering in Action
End to End REME Support to enable Mission Ready Training From Aug 20 until Jan 21, BATUS Workshops, 4 Armd CS Bn REME and 1 MERCIAN LAD provided a continuous REME chain which took equipment from BATUS and prepared it for Mission Ready Training in Sennelager, Germany. This three-part series shows the successes of this joint effort and a highlight an effective and truly collaborative delivery of equipment support. Part Two: 9 Armoured Company, 4 REME Op IRON KRANE OC: Major John Vance
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s the Army pushed to fulfil its commitment to the NATO Readiness Initiative, the COVID pandemic offered a unique opportunity for 3XX to realise this ambition by repositioning it’s @ readiness fleet in Germany. The in-load of 102 vehicles from BATUS meant a Lead Armoured Taskforce sized fleet could be stationed in Sennelager by 2021, accelerating the creation of NATO Forward Mounting Base whilst also enabling critical Mission Ready Training (MRT). The overall operation was IRON KRANE (IK) and 9 Armoured’s role was to complete the excellent initial repairs conducted by BATUS Workshops, before enabling handover to 1 MERCIAN in Jan 21. For the task, the Company reorganised into three repair teams (Heavy A, Light A and B Vehicle Platoons) and oversaw the repair of 34 Land Training Fleet (Sennelager) (LTF(S)) vehicles, the receipt of the BATUS vehicles into Athlone, the BATUS fleet’s inspection and repair, and finally handover of the fleet for MRT. With over 110 people all working to a short deadline, the hard work and long hours that the team put in meant the target was realised. The operation was a truly joint effort - as well as being reinforced by the remainder of 4 REME and 12X units, the Company worked closely with LTF(S), BATUS Workshop and 1 MERCIANS LAD to maintain good communications on the state of the fleet.
From IRON KRANE there were huge positives. Our collective trade competency improved dramatically, particularly on AS90, T3 and PANTHER. Additionally, it allowed us to draw out deductions for the unit’s future role as a Divisional Troops Support Battalion and its expected tasks of breakout and activation. Finally, in the midst of the pandemic, it offered an operational focal point for our team to rally around and refined our readiness and preparation for war.
Experience of a new Platoon Commander Scribe: 2Lt Ramsay Having commissioned from Sandhurst in Aug 20 and finishing MSEC(L) soon after, I had the pleasure of deploying on Op IK on my first day in unit. After arriving at the hangar on my first day at 0400, we travelled by coach and arrived in Sennelager late that night. After quickly finding my feet, I joined six Recovery Mechanics in Emden on day two. We provided recovery capability for the Port Task Group as they received the BATUS vehicle fleet and it provided me with a useful initial experience to understand the Recovery Mechanic trade and their thought process when it comes to different tasks. The time in Emden flew by and all 113 vehicles were successfully loaded onto Heavy Equipment Transporters and we returned to Sennelager. Upon my return I took up the role of Support Platoon Commander where I was in charge of all of the enabling element of Op IK. This saw me leading a variety of different cap badges, including RAMC, KRH, RLC and REME. This exposed me to the different aspects which
Recovery Platoon at Emden on the Port Task Group Before submitting an article you are requested to read the guidelines on the inside front cover 11
