7 Avn Sp Bn REME – Integrating, Planning and Executing Combat Service Support to 1st

Aviation Brigade Combat Team (BCT)

Commanding Officer: Lt Col MA Jones REME RSM: WO1(RSM) R Strydom REME

Scribe: Capt W Milligan-Manby, RSO, MTO & Media Officer

7Aviation Support Battalion (7 Avn Sp Bn) has been re-energised by Future Soldier. Moving beyond a specialist Equipment Support Battalion, the Battalion has re-organised to deliver organic Combat Service Support to the British Army’s new Aviation BCT. In-barracks the Battalion continues to provide Level 3 Equipment Support to Attack Helicopter and the BCTs Land Equipment fleet. However, deployed, the Aviation Support Battalion Integrates both Regular, Reserve and second line Single service Combat Service Support (Ss CSS) (Log, Med & ES) capabilities to deliver the BCT Support Group (BSG).

BCT Support Group HQ

Battalion 2IC – Maj S Bass REME

To deliver a BSG, 7 Aviation Support Battalion has had to develop a deployable Headquarters capable of planning, commanding, and controlling a large, diverse and complex capability. Ex CERBERUS 22 provided the perfect opportunity to deliver the BSG HQ in support of the warfighting Aviation BCTs validation Initial Operating Capability

(IOC). The success of the exercise helped prove the Aviation CSS concept and highlighted the key role of the Aviation Support Battalion within the larger 3rd Division CSS laydown. The BSG successfully conducted five planning cycles covering routine CSS activity, BSG Moves and the rehabilitation of the three Aviation Task Forces (ATFs). The ability to train the BSG HQ in such an environment was critical, as the Battalion now enters the BSG HQ validation year. Throughout, the BSG HQ has experimented with a number of different infrastructure options for its deployed Command Post; focusing specifically on improving survivability, enabling mobility and maintaining functinality.

Land Equipment Support

OC 70 Field Company – Maj P Douthwaite REME

In what has been a busy yet rewarding period, 70 Field Compan (70 Fd Coy) have fully transitioned to a highly proficient L3 ES organisation, supporting the whole of 1 Avn BCT. In the last 12 months the Coy deployed overseas in support of Ex PINION OMAN, conducted a rehab of the Land Training Fleet for Ex WESSEX STORM, supported the Commando Helicopter Force vehicle fleet activation for Op CLOCKWORK and the highlight, a two-month deployment to BATUK on Ex ASKARI PHOENIX 2. Whilst in Kenya, 70 Fd Coy aided BATUK

Wksp in achieving a significant uplift in vehicle availability but there was also the opportunity to conduct safaris, community engagement with local schools and some well-earned adventure training including a perilous rafting expedition down the River Mathioya.

70 Fd Coy delivers the full range of land ES trades, we are at the forefront of several new capabilities. In particular, the Recovery Section are pioneering tactical aviation recovery. Working with 8 Trg Bn REME and the Joint Aircraft Recovery Transportation Squadron (JARTS), the Recovery Section have begun to develop the capability for REME Recovery Mechanics to deliver in and inter-mission recovery effect within the Aviation environment. This includes the integration of joint service airframe transportation and Aircraft Technician trades. More recently, the newly formed Tech Elec Section within the Coy has begun to develop a muchneeded BOWMAN repair capability for the BCT and will begin to explore wider electronic repair within the Aviation environment.

There is no doubt that the frenetic activity of the last 12 months has validated the requirement for the Aviation BCT to have an organic land ES Coy and has laid the foundations for exciting future development.

Aviation General Support

OC 71 General Support (Aviation) Company

– Maj B Thomas REME

Future Soldier radically changed the Aviation Company ORBAT with 71 Close Support Company rerolled into a General Support (Aviation) Company (71 GS (Avn) Coy). This creates an ES capability able to deliver a wide spectrum of GS effect to the BSG. Whilst still in its infancy this could cover scheduled L3 maintenance packages, theatre reserve and setting, a small depth maintenance capability, component repair, (main rotor blades, ECU etc.) and specialist, pan-platform, niche skills such as composite structural repair or support to in-mission aircraft recovery.

Presently, 71 GS (Avn) Coy is tasked to deliver AH64E Engineering Acceptance, receiving the air systems from the US DoD at a UK airhead and inducting the air systems into the Defence Air Environment (DAE) on behalf of the AH Mil CAM. This process sees electronic data capture, functional testing and a full 5M air test so we can deliver a flight ready aircraft to the Attack Helicopter Regiments. To date 28 air systems have been accepted, which has allowed 71 GS (Avn) Coy Technicians to lead the technical and process development of the AH64E programme.

In parallel 71 GS (Avn) Coy has established X Platoon as the centre of innovation and experimentation within Avn ES. X Platoon has been empowered to liaise, innovate, experiment and identify opportunities to develop Avn ES for the challenges war fighting within the Avn BCT. To date X Platoon has conducted CBRN maintenance assessment, engaged with the additive manufacturing working groups and the Military Aviation Authority future technologies regulation branch. Alongside capability development, X Platoon is working with the Chief Air Engineer (Army) on the delivery of Pj TITUS, and has recently received the first 13 Aviation Mechanics, trained by Resource Group to civilian Civil Aviation Authority A license standard. Aviation Mechanics are platform agnostic and, by cutting down the training time of traditional Aircraft Technicians, will deliver an enhanced technical workforce to the frontline workshops much faster.

Logistic Supply

OC 132 Aviation Supply Squadron – Maj S McHugh RLC

In-barracks, 132 Aviation Supply Squadron (132 Sp Sqn) continue to deliver ES Material (ES Mat) to support the Attack Helicopter (AH), delivering one of the largest accounts in the British Army. Central to the transition to the AH64-E, 132 Sp Sqn are key to the disposal of AH Mk1 whilst concurrently growing a new account to support the new AH-64E.

When deployed, 132 Sp Sqn become the core of the BCTs logistical capability. Tasked to deliver a more generalised RLC Supply capability the Squadron will provide a BCT Log RV, manage the storage of CSUPS, and accountancy of all classes of material across the BCT. Reinforced by a Reserve sub-unit (294 Sqn RLC), 132 Sp Sqn will lead a Regular-Reserve hybrid Sqn capable of supporting the large complex demand of the Aviation BCT.

Sustainment

OC 72 (Headquarter) Company – Maj M Taylor RLC

Quartermaster – Maj B Shaw REME

The newly established 72 (Headquarter) Company (72 (HQ) Coy) is a hybrid sub-unit made up of personnel from the REME, RLC, AAC, the RAMC, and the Military Guard Provost Service. 72 (HQ) Coy incorporates the Quartermaster & Quartermaster Technical Departments, reinforced by a Catering Support Department, a hybrid

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Members of 158 Regt RLC(Res) visiting 7 Avn Sp Bn REME to increase interoperability

Command Troop and Motor Transport Section. The establishment of these Depts under 72 (HQ) Coy will enable the deployed Coy to deliver invaluable sustainment and Real Life Support to the deployed BSG in support of 1 Aviation BCT activity. As the Coy begins to focus on its new deployed role it has seen the arrival of Maj M Taylor RLC as the newly established Officer Commanding. Maj Taylor and the Coy are working hard to develop and deliver sustainment to the deployed BSG, learning to recce and sight the BSG as well as coordinating its own protection.

The congested period hasn’t inhibited the opportunity for AT with large portions of the Coy conducting a plethora of AT throughout the last year, culminating with Ex DRAGON CHALLENGE 23-1, a Type 3 Offshore Sailing expedition around Cyprus, for six novice sailors to experience offshore sailing in the Mediterranean Sea.

Warfighting Capabilities

To deliver Aviation CSS, 7 Aviation Support Battalion is supported by 158 Aviation Support Regiment RLC (a Reserve RLC Regiment) who will deliver three Close Support Transport Squadrons and reinforce 132 Squadron RLC from the Reserve 264 Supply Squadron RLC. 158 Regiment will deliver the capability to deliver bulk material, including fuel and ammunition, across the deployed BCT. Integrating Reserves is not going to be without its challenges, but in October 2022, the Battalion hosted an orientation weekend for 158 Regiment to start building the foundations that will make the partnership successful and Staff from the Regiment are already fully integrated into the BSG HQ training and validation. In addition to Army CSS capabilities, JHC’s Tactical Supply Wing (TSW) will add the critical second line aviation fuel storage and transport capabilities to the Aviation BSG by integrating its Tactical Fuels Squadron. Finally, 250 Medical Squadron from the Reserve 254 Medical Regiment RAMC provides a General Support Medical Squadron to the BSG. Delivering deployed Health Service Support (HSS) and an Evacuation Troop adds critical medical capability to the BSG

Future Soldier has given 7 Aviation Support Battalion a clear purpose and, as such, it has undergone significant change. The focus has shifted from niche aviation equipment support to the integration of Regular, Reserve and Ss CSS capabilities. By 2025, 7 Aviation Support Battalion will be able to integrate, plan and execute CSS operations in support of the 1st Aviation BCT and in doing so it will have set a new standard in the delivery of Combat Service Support.