Operations
Op CABRIT ROTO 8 – Poland
CASSINO Tp LAD
Reserve led Hybrid ES Success in Poland Scribe WO1 (ASM) West
T
he journey on Op CABRIT started in Nov 19, with a meeting at 1XX ES Branch in York which set the groundwork for what would be an outstanding achievement for 103 Bn REME. It was agreed that the Bn would supply the bulk of the REME tradesmen, mobilise in May 20 and later be joined by Armourers from 1 and 2 Royal Anglian LADs and Tech Elects from 5 Bn REME to deploy on Op CABRIT and provide Equipment Support to the UK’s Light Cavalry Squadron in Poland, 148 Div Sp Coy had spent most of the training year preparing for Ex IRON HORSE in BATUS. Our skill set firmly established in the divisional support space, but I was confident the SP selected to mobilise in May would relish the opportunity to up skill to complex platforms such as JACKAL and PANTHER. Whilst the UK was mostly locked down, training started in Apr with JACKAL driver and commander courses being run by the Royal Yeomanry DMI’s, which led to mobilisation at MTMC(I) in May. This was the first mobilisation for the most and the two-day package to was intense but set the scene for the next 12 months. JACKAL Maintainer course and spending time gaining essential competencies at RY’s D Sqn in Telford proved time well spent as PDT was about to start in Bovington. The Hybrid Sqn was made up from The Royal Yeomanry and B Sqn
QDG at Bovington, which formed early Jun. There was plenty of work waiting for us, this was the start of an exceptionally busy, but very rewarding pre deployment training. Following the Sqn around the country, we supported their training whist developing our own skills with a range package in Warcop, FTX held in STANTA, before back to Bovington and finally a successful MRX on SPTA out of Westdown camp before some well-earned leave in Aug. Rotation 8 began in Sep with a two week isolation period, ensuring the time wasn’t wasted, trade presentations, JAMES training and with the LAD beating the Sqn in a challenge to run and row the distance to Monte Cassino, set the tone for the future achievements over this tour. The tour has seen significant challenges for the team, from increased Force Health Protection measures for COVID including the removal of R&R, BREXIT delaying getting spares shipped out of the UK and working out the marquee in -20+ degrees, the team produced some fantastic results. Completed two great career courses, such as various range Quals, LCpl ADLP, DTTT and an excellent Cold Weather Operators Course (Baltics) (CWOC(B)) it puts the soldiers in an excellent position to develop their careers on return to the UK. Looking back over the past 6 months I would have liked to have demonstrated more interoperability with our NATO Partner nations and get the team out to explore the eFP area, but unfortunately this was not the case. Towards the later stages we did manage to shoehorn some great events, exploring other nations recovery equipment and Ex SOBIESKI, an excellent multi nation live fire exercise. This was the first time a Reserve led Hybrid deployment has taken place and it has been a excellent opportunity to showcase the diverse skills REME Reserve offer, but it has been a true REME team effort irrespective of Regular or Reserve. It has been an exceptional journey and one I will look back on for many years and I’m proud of what team have achieved.
Vehicle Mechanics Scribe Cfn Croucher
ASM (not) enjoying the Snow on Ex 26 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk
On the last drill night before Christmas 19, a group from my unit and I were taken to one side by our ASM and were selected for mobilising and deploying on Op CABRIT. This for me and many of my colleagues was our first deployment with the Army Reserve. The build-up training started in May 20 where we mobilised through the MTMC(I) Chilwell. We moved down to Bovington to meet with The Royal Yeomanry, to whom we would be attached for the next year. The first
