Overseas Operations: Op NEWCOMBE Overview

OP NEWCOMBE ROTO 2

Scribe: Capt Walker OC LAD, 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment

Overview

The Op NEWCOMBE ROTO 2 adventure started in Apr 21, in a frosty Bodney camp about to commence Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRX), the REME team from no less than seven different units assembled to start what would prove to be the most challenging yet fulfilling 8 months of our careers. MRX went to plan and focused everyone’s minds on the sorts of technical problems we were likely to encounter. A brief two-week holiday in isolation followed and then our ROTO 2 deployment to Mali, a period of handover and acclimatisation was next before the hard work begun. Op NEWCOMBE has seen REME soldiers support the Theatre Group (TG) during six demanding operational deployments. Throughout, the team have operated under austere and challenging conditions, facing temperatures of up to 45 Degrees Celsius, torrential down pours during the wet season and countless wind storms (haboobs). Nothing has been outside the capacity of those deployed and as you’d expect; the REME soldiers have delivered at every turn.

Op NEWCOMBE ROTO 2

Op ELWIN 4 & 5: The handover and follow-on familiarisation patrols were opportunities for the TG to shake out and practice essential SOPs and drills that would be required throughout future operations. The TG operated within the Operational area named SWORD, which provided a mixture of all the terrains the TG will face over the coming months. From an ES perspective, both Op’s went to plan, there were limited equipment issues although the Recovery Mechanics were put through their paces on several occasions. The Op did allow Fitter Sections to continue to acclimatise to the environment when deployed, and make improvements to the packing lists and ergonomics of their fitter trucks.

Stranded RIDGEBACK during Op MAKARA 1

TG Leaguer during one of the torrential downpours during the wet season

REME Fitter Truck in TG Leaguer during Op MAKARA 1

Op MAKARA 1: The Long Range Reconnaissance Group (LRRG) deployed on Op MAKARA 1 to the Ansongo Circle to understand the human terrain of Tin Hama, a town 25km SE of Ansongo assessed to be heavily under ISGS influence in the region. The Op proved to be extremely challenging from an ES perspective as it would see the TG cover around 200km cross country, and also some significant distances over metal roads. The 90km road move to Ansongo Camp proved to be difficult; the FOXHOUND platforms struggled with the heat and the SV fleet experience brake issues; again, due to overheating brake drums. The first night of the Op, saw the REME Force Elements (FE) repair several vehicles for the following day which would see the TG cover 40km of cross country driving towards Tin Hama. Day 2 proved to be extremely difficult, a MASTIFF suspension failure and a FOXHOUND electrical problem resulted in the TG Leaguering up 1km from the Main Supply Route (MSR) to conduct repairs. Day 3 and beyond proved to be a lot more successful, with less vehicle issues and all TG drivers quickly becoming more familiar with the terrain, the ES burden lessened. The end state would see an average availability of 95% throughout the Op and a host of lessons learnt for the LAD to build on. Op MAKARA 2 and 2.5: Op MAKARA 2 and 2.5 continued the Mobile Task Force (MTF) objective of increasing stability in the Ansongo Circle, deploying the LRRG up to 200km South of Gao to the Niger border. The patrols aimed to deliver human terrain reconnaissance and security of the population along Rte Cat-C. The operations integrated Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) civil pillar field missions into patrols to visit projects and identify future activities, a first for the MTF. At last light on the eve of the MAKARA 2 patrol, it was assessed that groups totalling over 50 Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) fighters on motorcycles from Niger carried out a marauding attack in the villages of Ouatagouna, Karou and Daounteguef. 57 civilians were killed, including a number of children. LRRG tactical activity rapidly refocused as a response to the attack. In response, the LRRG increased the tempo of our deployment, arriving 24 hours early to a Force Administration Area (FAA) in proximity to the incident, coordinating sensory and aviation over watch.

The ES challenges faced during Op MAKARA 2 and 2B were significant, due to the distances being covered and the harsh terrain, Fitter Sections would work tirelessly to ensure the TG maintained momentum. The issues faced during these operations largely focused around FOXHOUND (FHD) hydraulic leaks and overheating; High Mobility Tactical Vehicle (HMTV) suspension and wider wheel station issues; and SV braking and air pressure issues. The deployed Fitter Sections quickly became subject matter experts on all of the above repairs and the experience gained would prove invaluable on the TGs final Op. Op MAKARA 3: The last Op for ROTO 2, the LRRG deployed on Op MAKARA 3, this was the culmination of MAKARA Ops and a proof of concept of the MTF’s ability to project further than Route CAT (MSR). This saw the Swedish Forces (SWE MIC-R) patrolling to In-Delimane (and resupplied by Jordanian QRF) and the LRRG conducting a 480km march to Menaka and patrols to demonstrate MINUSMA’s ability to project force and to understand the security situation in the area. During the Op, the LRRG came under contact from small arms fire after following two armed men on motorcycle into an area of bushland. This resulted in a close-range dismounted extraction from contact

Repairs being conducted in a TG League

SV suffering a broken axle during Op MAKARA 3

followed by a mounted exchange of fire that resulted in 2 enemy KIA. Another highlight of the Op was a wildfire which dislocated the TG and resulted in the destruction of a JACKAL (JKL) which had caught fire; the destroyed vehicle frame was subsequently recovered to Gao.

From an ES perspective Op MAKARA 3 was the most successful, although the most demanding of all the operations. On the route out, the Fitter Sections would complete in excess of 100hrs of production over the seven nights it took to get to Menaka. Once in Menaka Camp, a planned rehab period allowed for essential repairs to be conducted including an SV axle change and SVR intercooler changes. The rehab would see the LAD complete 150hrs of production and get the fleet back to 100% availability; given the time pressure, environmental challenges and limited re-supply options, this was a remarkable achievement by the deployed REME soldiers. The route back was more straight forward, the TG encountered only a handful of vehicle issues and were back in Bagnold Camp within 4 days.

Other nation support. The LRRG has benefitted from some fantastic support provided by our Swedish and German counterparts. At the shop floor level, relationships were built early on and have provided the LAD with a host of repair options, of note the German assistance when completing an SV clutch change and SVR engine change was outstanding. This support essentially ensured the TG was prepared in good time for future operations. Other support included access to some bespoke ready use material and advice and guidance on a whole host of SV issues faced by the LAD.

C Sqn Fitter truck (Cpl Riki Matton, Cpl Rach Gwilliam and Cfn Cheats Cheetham) during Op MAKARA 3 A Coy Fitter crew (Sgt Si Coakley, LCpl Kev Bacon, LCpl Mac McKernan) during Op MAKARA 3

SV Axle change being conducted during the Op MAKARA 3 rehab in Menaka Camp

The REME Team

On reflection, Op NEWCOMBE has been the most professionally fulfilling experience of my career to date. From an engineering perspective, the challenges faced by the team have been significant, and presented themselves under some of the most austere conditions possible. The LAD has tackled some challenging operations which have all been followed up with significant rehab periods face on, and delivered results. Throughout, the deployed REME soldiers have operated as One Team, One LAD, made up of several Fitter Sections and national support element from a host of other units. As a

The UK and German team that successfully completed an SVR engine change Picture of all deployed REME soldiers

Members of the LAD that completed a half marathon whilst deployed in support of Charity

LAD CoC, we have put a lot of emphasis on building a strong team ethos, which in my personal opinion has resulted in success both in camp and on operations. I leave Mali with a huge amount of pride in the results achieved, which were all possible due to the professional effectiveness of the REME soldiers deployed.

Output:

Rehab Period Output. The average two-week rehab has seen the LAD produce 2,500 production hours. Work conducted both in camp and when deployed included:

• 21 x FHD pack lifts • 11 x HMTV hamper lifts • 2 x SV engine lifts. • 23 x HMTV airbags • 19 x HMTV drive shafts • 7 x FHD starter motors • 8 x FHD compressors • 3 x FHD gearboxes • 4 x SV Axles • 1 x SVR engine • 1 x SV Clutch • 2 x JKL Engines