Exercise IRON FIRE 23

On 26 January 2023, the Royal Tank Regiment Battle-Group (BG) deployed to Sennelager, Germany, for two months to conduct Exercise IRON FIRE 23 as part of the Combat Ready Training (CRT) pathway. This included REME personnel from RTR, C Coy R WELSH, 33AES 26 Engrs and 4 REME, including junior soldiers to whom an armoured BG was a brand-new experience. The team quickly settled into the job, preparing a fleet pulled from across 3 Div to get the BG out the door.

The first event of the deployment was the Command, Staff and Tactical Training Exercise (CSTTX). During this, alongside getting the vehicle fleet ready for the upcoming field exercises, the troops had the opportunity to experience the simulation halls of Sennelager CATT.

Here, they carried out work practicing complex techniques and pushing the BG to its limits, showing off just what RTR is capable of. This then led into the Field Training Exercise (FTX): 10 long days spent on the training area, working in tough conditions to keep a busy BG functioning. Despite the unsavoury conditions, battling the elements in a German winter, the REME maintained their great reputation, ensuring the pace never had to slow down; our soldiers worked hard, not just at trade but practicing their fieldcraft and tactical skills too.

Alongside the hard work, the soldiers found the time to enjoy themselves too. The local town of Paderborn was enjoyed on many a night out, with Paderborn FC gaining a full squad of supporters for the two months. Some went further afield and took up Nordic Skiing while deployed; getting the opportunity to go to the Harz mountains and try their hand at a new sport.

Egypt

(Scribe: LCpl Somerville)

During our time away, the plans for the exercise were fluid, but this didn’t dissuade us. Despite the turbulence we did what Egypt Fitters do best: work hard, play hard. On our Go Karting trip we found out that Sgt Mansell wouldn’t slow down for anything.

Other highlights include the mirror finished NAAFI wagon turning up to the ‘Fully Tactical’ ECCP much to the delight of the officers. The end is just about in sight; however, it is difficult to see past some of the atrocious moustaches.

Our illustrious leader SSgt Mack got some Cfn off on Nordic Skiing, much to their delight until they realised that “Nordic” actually means “uphill”. Overall, an entertaining few months in Germany that generated an impressive number of memes.

Dreadnaught

(Scribe: Cfn Langham)

Upon arriving in Germany, Dreadnaught Fitter Section found a massive job at hand with some of the vehicles; but, as always, we got the work done. One of the highlights of this was three pack lifts in one day to change the fire wires; on this day, Germany decided to show us every type of weather it had to offer from glorious sun to snow, all a couple of days before exercise IRON FIRE.

Once this was done, we could finally look towards the exercise which didn’t go without its own mishaps. The EMELt was the third man for Staff Sergeant Pike’s Bulldog and being made to make coffee, which he was clearly not a fan of – the cafetiere ended up getting “accidentally” booted out of the Bulldog and smashed everywhere. However, it wasn’t all work: a few people from across the Regiment and LAD went to Paderborn FC for a couple of games and then on to explore the local area. The time spent in Germany was a success for the exercise but also for getting some of us out and seeing a new place in Europe.

Cyclops Fitter Section

(Scribes: LCpl Stainsby and LCpl Fleming)

In the first week the Fitters became well acquainted when all 14 of them were squeezed into a 4-person room, but this didn’t dampen spirits after a recce of the local area. Our Recovery Mechanics represented the section in CATT, single handily saving the Battle-Group on one occasion. Meanwhile, the hand over from QRH went smoothly; the hard work paying off when Cyclops deployed on the FTX with all 14 tanks good to go. The weather was hard to gauge, as at the beginning of the exercise it was relatively warm with clear skies, but this was abruptly ruined by four days of rain and then snow.

LCpl Stainsby was awarded a CO’s coin, representing the Cyclops Fitter Section as their newly appointed Class 3 Tech, making his mentor Cpl Phelps proud.

The Fitter Section proved themselves under strict deadlines and limited resources to get the vehicles out the door. Their quick adaptability, resilience and hard-working mindset gave the Squadron the availability needed to do their job smoothly.

C Coy

(Scribe: LCpl Parker)

Our time deployed in Germany with The Royal Welsh, C Coy Fitter Section, has been a positive experience. From receiving the fleet and getting it up to a readiness standard, to maintaining a good level of

Before submitting an article you are requested to read the guidelines on the inside front cover

The crew and REME clamber over a Challenger 2 MBT to diagnose the problem operability whilst out in the field, we embraced the new lessons learnt from active jobs; learning different ways of how to tackle similar problems in the future.

Many enjoyable memories have also been made such as the friendly brew making competitions between the 3rd men of the Warrior 512 and 513, or who out of the Fitter Section managed to remain deployed the longest without breaking down. Having to cope with the varying weather conditions that would change daily was a constant challenge particularly in the field.

All of this has been an immense learning experience for us within the Section, using our trades and skills to diagnose and fix any faults that were found, and in contributing to a successful exercise and deployment in Germany.

Photography courtesy of Clearshot Photography

Sgt Edem Siawor EngTech MIMechE

Recovery Mechanics Branch Bow Shackle Ball

Saturday 30th September 2023

Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton, Dumfries, DG1 4TA

Accommodation is at the Premier Inn, Annan Road, Collin, Dumfries, DG1 3JX to be arranged by the guests themselves Open to all serving and veteran REME Recovery Mechanics

The evening event will be £45 per person

40th Foundation Anniversary 26th

November 2023

Doors open 12:00 Hrs – Doors close 17:00 Hrs

Admission £10.00 per head

Bar, Food, our regular Singer ‘Rob’ and Ex BAOR entertainer Paul Elphick with his superb disco. Come along and help us celebrate!

Please purchase tickets in advance from: Nigel Marklew – nigelmarklew@mail.com