EXERCISE IRON HORSE EUROPE, 26 February – 13 March 2022

128 Divisional Support Company, 103 Bn REME support to SEF(G) alongside 6 CS Bn REME in Monchengladbach, Germany.

Scribes: OC: Major Abi Brown. 2IC: Captain Luke Gallantree

Cpl Bailey (Babcock Instructor) hard at work The Exercise IRON HORSE EUROPE Team

Foreword

In February 2022, tradesmen from 128 Div Sp Coy augmented by others from 103 Bn REME, an Army Reserve Battalion deployed to the Land Regional Hub in Germany in support of Exercise IRON KRANE, to prepare the Stored Equipment Fleet (Germany) (SEF(G)) for current and future operations.

Historically, Exercise IRON HORSE was a winter repair deployment to BATUS in Canada, which saw the repair of the vehicle fleet in support of the summer Battle Group exercises. With the revised direction of the Integrated Review and Future Soldier, focus has now shifted towards operational support and enhancing readiness for Op CABRIT, the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group and Multinational exercises such as Ex DEFENDER EUROPE 22.

Exercise IRON HORSE EUROPE (IHE)

deployed at relatively short notice for Army Reservists as a proof of concept. It was to see Army Reserve Tradesmen integrated with their Regular counterparts to conduct a specified task; to repair and rehabilitate equipment in order to enable the required equipment to be at the required start state for Exercise DEFENDER EUROPE 22.

With formal confirmation of the requirement only 12 working weeks prior to deployment, the estimate and planning time was very limited, and employers were persuaded to let their employees deploy at short notice. As seen with any planning effort in the recent years, COVID 19 was a significant factor with the deployment, and as a result, the total deployed number was 30 including an HQ element with a target 1,100 productive hours to be completed.

A change is as good as a rest for LCpl Wright (Operational Support Manager of a tree surgery company) Vehicle mechanics from across the Battalion working together Cfn Shah (Lockheed Martin) working on her Class 3-2

Production

Exercise IHE saw the deployment of Vehicle Mechanics, Armourers, Recovery Mechanics, TSS, a Chef and HQ element. This enabled the deployed elements of the Coy to provide a self-contained Useable, Credible and Deployable force; which could prepare and rehabilitate the operational fleet.

The VM team focussed on delivering production on the B vehicle fleet and Armourers on the mounted weapon systems on CVR(T) and WR. The total number of JAMES completed hours was 1,138.75, exceeding the initial target.

Training Value

In addition to meeting production targets, trade training was

conducted for all CEGs wherever possible to improve the capability of the Army Reserve soldiers. The Land Regional Hub (SEF (Germany)) was a fantastic environment for training, providing a diverse range of jobs on different platforms, immersed in a busy workshop for a period of two weeks (a typical annual deployment duration for the Army Reserve) exposed to equipment and faults that Army Reserve units struggle to get hold of in the UK.

The deployment enabled the completion of 86 Training

During the course of the exercise the Coy received a number of high-profile visitors including amongst others the Deputy Commander Field Army, GOC 3(UK) Division, Commander 101 Logistics Brigade and our Battalion Honorary Colonel Maj Gen (Retd) Bill O’Leary. As a proof of concept, the visitors were there to observe the impact and the capability that the Army Reserve can offer and there was also the valuable opportunity for the tradesmen to provide feedback to the visitors. The visits also offered the chance for the presentation of various awards; including a Commander Field Army Commendation to Sgt Sorrell for his work on Foxhound within 16 Air Assault Brigade, and a Long Service and Good Conduct medal to SSgt Cadman. Army Media also conducted a number of interviews which have subsequently been published on Forces News, BFBS Radio and British Army social media.

Cultural Activity

As part of the deployment, there was an opportunity to visit Düsseldorf and other areas of Germany to experience some of the culture and cuisine of the country. Our thanks must go to Mr Jim Craigen, from SEF(G), who provided an exceptionally enjoyable and informative tour of the city of Dusseldorf… we have already requested his expertise for our next visit!

Ex IHE was an outstanding and unique opportunity for Army Reservists; exceeding productivity output expectations, whilst also gaining immense training and experience. Integrating successfully with both SEF(G) and the Regular Force of 6 Bn REME who could not have been more accommodating and undoubtedly assisted in proving the concept of the Army Reserve as a Useable, Credible and Deployable force.

It bodes well for an exciting future as we now look ahead to growing the Battalion strength following revisions to the structure of the Battalion as a part of the Integrated Review.

The Commanding Officer, Lt Col Dave Haslam commented that “I am always amazed at the work rate and dedication that my Army Reserve soldiers and officers give on Battalion deployments (away from their day jobs), and this key deployment as the first REME Army Reserve unit into a Land Regional Hub is no exception – they knocked it out of the park!”.

Sgt Sorrell receiving his CFA Commendation from DCFA

The Team enjoying some of the local German culture