Op NEWCOMBE 3 - Op MANKALAN 1 & 2A

– Op NEWCOMBE 3

Op MANKALAN 1 & 2A

Scribe - Capt Archie Selka

The Task Group deployed Introduction

Operations MANKALAN 1 and 2A were two patrols in February and March pushing 175km off road first down the East, then the West of the River Niger. The terrain on the East was hard and ‘tyre-shreddingly rocky’, criss-crossed by deep wadis which made moving at night extremely difficult. The terrain on the West was high rolling dunes, 1,000-year-old fossilised tree stumps and soft sand impossible to get an SV(R) through with something on the hook (without some ingenuity anyway). Thankfully the Task Group’s experience has grown leaps and bounds. The crews are experts in travelling through this terrain and we are experts in the rapid repair of most faults. Unfortunately, it never gets easier. As the temperature pushes into the 50s, it makes us, and our equipment work ever harder to keep moving.

Cpl Cooper getting amongst a Coyote

Cutting through the desert

Sgt Bell’s best career laugh

Post patrol inspections The River Niger

The EME’s office

Life as the Task Group Artificer – SSgt Shinn

Throughout my career I have had moments that I believed would never be surpassed in challenge –BATUS with WARRIOR, CHALLENGER 2 in Oman – but it turns out that was because I had never deployed to Mali with the Long-Range Reconnaissance Group (LRRG) before. The layout of the Task Group means that we deploy with three Fitter Sections – A Sqn (Light Cavalry), A Coy (Light Mechanised Infantry) and A1 Echelon. I sit with the A1 Ech Ftr Sect, leading a packet of CQMS, EOD and the Ftr Sect across the deserts and wadis of Mali inevitably with something on the back of both SV(R)s. The hard work of those in the LAD verges on the ridiculous; the heat, dust and thousands of kilometres cross country has made the perfect storm in vehicle attrition and subsequent ES requirement. From the All Ranks Brief where I was laughed at when I asked how it was for the REME on Op NEWCOMBE, to the inevitable call for an SV(R) as yet another Foxhound wilts in the heat, the life as the Tiffy in the TG is never dull. We now move onto ‘our most ambitious Op’ (as opposed to the last most ambitious Op) with the LAD primed to support the TG with the ingenuity and work ethic our Corps always delivers.

The ‘real’ LRRG

Finding a crossing point

Even the Armourers help out with the radiator cleaning Every day is pancake day if you put your mind to it

Radiator back in after cleaning

A Squadron Fitter Section Cfn Smith

A Squadron Fitters on Op MANKALAN 2A have been battling mechanical trickery and temperature related problems throughout the Op. Day One of the Op proved a real battle as we were in a game of hopscotch with a Sabre Squadron Jackal, operating in a two-vehicle packet keeping them running like a rusty Formula 1 pit crew. However, once the trucks started behaving and we got through the initial niggles, we were flying. The soaring temperatures led to a few truck related problems such as coolant pipes cracking and becoming brittle from the constant changing temperatures between day and night, but the bigger concern really was if to ‘Peri salt’ your flat breads or go for the ‘Sweetbread’ option. Apart from a quick interaction with the Mali Army, the patrol was relatively quiet thanks to all the hard work earlier in the tour paying off. The A Squadron Fitters kept the fleet running for another successful Op and continue to develop and maintain the fleet of A Sqn vehicles.

The UN Mi-8 bringing in spares A Foxhound, broken? Surely not!

Popping to the shops

A Coy Fitter Section Cfn Marsland

Graft. Only one word can simply describe Op MANKALAN 1 & Op MANKALAN 2A. From Foxhound engines dying (and I use that word loosely) to endless tyre changes, to changing Quick Release Couplings more times than I’ve changed my boxers, the work never seemed to end. Being deployed as an LMI Fitter, you also get to traverse and experience the villages of Mali. Taking in the different sounds and smells, to then seeing how the people do business and make a living is a real eye opener. Market day; like seeing shoppers on Black Friday, you quickly find yourself crammed in along the narrow passageways surrounded by locals hunting for the next bargain. It isn’t all work and no play with the Foxhounds. However, Sgt Gregson’s favourite saying is ‘prep for recovery’. I’ll let you interpret whether that’s bad or good.

Peacekeepers

A Sqn Fitter Section Prepping the captured motorbike for heli transport

High morale in the Task Group Leaguer A1 Ech ready to step off

Cfn Atkinson on top cover

The EME’s day out with A Sqn Fitters Sgt Kendrick getting amongst it

A1 Echelon Fitter Section Cfn Atkinson

Being a Vehicle Mechanic as part of the A1 heavy packet through the operations in February and March was challenging due to the constant maintenance of all vehicles whether that be the Jackals, Foxhounds or MAN SV. The terrain and heat were causing numerous problems amongst the vehicles; including such faults as overheating, airbag leaks, burst tyres, sheared bolts and burst pipes to name but a few. Many late nights were had as the Sqn and Coy would arrive back at the leaguer late in the day with plans to move out again in the morning; which gave us limited hours to work on the vehicles and have them ready to continue on their task. In addition, we would take on the larger jobs from the Forward Fitter Sections to allow them to remain on task. Busy into the nights and relatively chilled out during the day, I had plenty of time to read a good book as we cowered from the sun in any slight bit of shade due to the intense heat of the sun.

Spa Day The LMI Fitter Section starting a job as the sun goes down

You have goat to be kidding me