5 minute read
Op NEWCOMBE 3: Life as a Recovery Mechanic
Operations
Op NEWCOMBE 3: Life as a Recovery Mechanic
Advertisement
Scribe: Cpl Brown
The previous articles in the Craftsman from Op NEWCOMBE all invariably show things bogged in up to the axles. This is for good reason – everything and everyone gets stuck. Starting the tour with a bang, literally, as the SV(R) crane hook fell from the sky, this is the life of a Recovery Mechanic on Op NEWCOMBE.
Life on Ops is not for everyone
Anything but UN Menu 2 please
Cfn Hall is the youngest member of QDG LAD Recovery Section. Turning up with a ridiculous hair cut and without an iron; he quickly gained his Class 2 and deployed as the junior callsign. Unfortunately, one of the skills he did not learn on MRX was looking for holes in the dark. Recovering the Task Group anchor saw that his tour lasted precisely six days deployed on the ground, three of which were on crutches. Though he “tried” to continue he unfortunately was sent home for an early bath.
A JACKAL with a battery issue on the hook
26T Ridgeback on the hook after being driven off a cliff in the dark The Reccy Mechs cooking up a storm with the 10-man rations
“Just mark up with a cyalume after it’s been run over, nobody will notice.” Sgt Fell enjoying another evening in the desert
Death of a Light Field Generator (LFG)
When there is no moon, driving in the dark isn’t ideal. It is especially not ideal when a Ridgeback decides to kamikaze off what can only be described as a cliff. Even more so when said cliff is only 600m from the Task Group Leaguer. As the call came that the SV(R) was needed, which is the most unwelcome sound that can ever be heard from a camp-cot, the SV(R) moved out of the leaguer with Kestrel night vision goggles fitted. Unfortunately, what the Kestrel failed to see was the LFG camouflaged metres outside the lines. There was of course a cyalume on it... Or there was on what was left of it by the time the Ridgeback arrived back to the Task Group on the back of the SV(R). Broken beyond repair in the field; a 150km cross country tow was in order.
Arrival of the Illustrious Leader
As Sgt Fell’s phone rang at 2230hrs on a Sunday with the EME as the caller he knew before he answered that the family trip to Harry Potter World would be taking place in his absence. With a high-five handover from Cfn Hall, Sgt Fell eagerly awaited his acclimatisation walks as I reverted to 2IC Recovery.
Sgt Fell putting on a show for the crowd
EOD team being rescued from their dip in the River Niger
Pulling out an UST
SV(R) flying through the desert to rescue the EOD
The joys of Wadis and the SV(R)
The dust and debris that is an integral part of Op NEWCOMBE life is not kind to SV(R)s. From cranes that do not work (but now do thanks to having Brian from EKA in theatre with us), air compressors pumping out more oil than air, to a general lack of power. The big issue with them is of course the thing we need them the most for –towing. Firstly, for the SV(R)s, route selection is everything. People talk of Wadies, when in reality a small ditch awaits. However, a ‘Wadi’ found on the route from Gao South turned into what can only be compared to landing on Sword Beach. Bogged in wagons were strewn everywhere as the approach to the Wadi resembled the sand found in Aladdin. The SV(R)s of course, approached with something on tow. The sight of a UST on the hook with its diffs engaged and a 12-wheel train powered through the soft sand was something to behold; admired by the many holders of shovels in the area.
A C17 giving birth to an SV(R) The A Sqn Fitter Section enjoying the show along with the locals
The NH90 medevac bringing some spares to get the CALM off the hook
SV(R) to the rescue
A new lease of life for the SV(R)
A new SV(R) arrived in theatre and was immediately struck down with a coolant leak in the radiator; in keeping with the rest of the Op NEWCOMBE SV(R) fleet. It was not all bad however, the new SV(R) alerted us to the fact that neither of the incumbent SV(R) had the topspin air filtration mod, explaining why air starvation had destroyed turbochargers, air filters and air compressors. With their new lungs, towing became easier; useful as the same vehicles invariably filled the hooks. Local nationals also proved their worth when the EOD team decided their Mastiff could maybe be better utilised as a submarine. The perilously close call with the River Niger necessitated the winch, and the locals –perhaps seeing the EOD team stood around – decided to get amongst pulling the rope out. Hopefully those in attendance managed to learn something.
Preparation for ROTO 4
Work now starts in earnest for handover to ROTO 4. From rebirthing almost every piece of L&RE to the continual improvement of the SV(R)s work continues for the LRRG Recovery Section. One last Op awaits before I depart, morale high, safe in the knowledge that no-one in the trade has used a Multi-function Control Box as much as me in the last six months.
The two SV(R)s returning to the Leaguer
SV(R)s in the wild
