Ex IRON STORM

Ex IRON STORM – 1 MERCIAN LAD

Work often continued well into the night throughout all phases of Ex Iron Storm

Scribe: 2Lt T Wilson

Ex IRON STORM was the combination of six-months hard work from 1 MERCIAN BG LAD in order to support a successful Battlegroup (BG) Combined-Arms Training exercise. The LAD provided effective ES throughout three testing and challenging phases of the exercise. The three phases were;

WARRIOR Turret Lift during CMR

Combined Staff Tactical Training Exercise (CSTTX) in Sennelager, Live Fire Tactical Training Exercise (LFTTX) at Castlemartin Ranges (CMR), Wales, and the final Field Training Exercise (FTX) on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA).

CSTTX in Apr 22 utilised the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT/Combined Arms Staff Trainer (CAST) facility in Sennelager, testing the planning skills of the LAD HQ and the ability to provide in-mission effect by executing the repair/recovery plan within the simulated environment. AQMS Paton stepped up ably as the acting EME within the BGHQ during the initial absence of the incoming OC LAD, Capt Sandoe. SSgts Rickman and Langdon also deployed as Fitter Section Commanders where they executed numerous missions over two weeks of training. This phase provided a vital opportunity to trial different tactics and to cement SOI’s in preparation for the LFTTX and FTX. The welcome addition of German culture also helped to forge new bonds and relationships across the Battlegroup! Meanwhile back on home soil, members of the LAD continued to prepare the Fleet in preparation for the next phase. On deployment to CMR, the LAD was unfortunately hit with a major obstacle due to the FFE Safety Notices via Email (SNvE). This put an immediate halt to the use of the Warrior and Bulldog fleet required for the LFTTX/FTX. To combat this, the OC and ASM were heavily involved with 12X, 3XX and Project Teams to find a solution to this poorly timed engineering hurdle. The solution resulted in multiple late nights in the workshops by all ranks, stripping out countless FFE’s and replacing them with FFE’s within the acceptable parameters of

the SNvE. It is suggested that Cpl Beman is now a strong contender for the world record of most FFE’s stripped and fitted; if only Guinness does such a record! Both SSgt Langdon and SSgt Jeffery oversaw the cross-service process and ultimately ensured the vehicles were Mission Ready for the LFTTX. Due to the hard graft of the LAD, the start state for LFTTX was reached just in time for the Late Queens Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday, giving the LAD some much needed time off to reenergise in time for the next phase.

On return from their break, the live firing missions commenced. A Coy and Dragon Coy Fitter Sections were put through their paces and provided valuable ES alongside the fighting callsigns. The LAD also had plenty of practice in performing pack lifts and turret lifts throughout, which acted as a great development opportunity for the newer members of the LAD. The LFTTX was a success for both the BG and the LAD, the high fleet availability driven by the LAD allowed the BG to meet their required training objectives. Relationships with the other Sub-Unit Fitter Sections within the BG were further improved, and SOP’s were refined in time for the FTX.

On return from CMR, the HandOver/Take-Over of the remainder of the BG fleet required more late nights and dedicated work to deploy the BG onto SPTA. It was testament to the efforts of the LAD that the CO of 1 MERCIAN visited the LAD as he was keen to hear all about the issues the LAD had faced from the most junior Cfn all the way to the top. Fittingly, his visit coincided with his own vehicle arriving last minute from another unit,

Cpl Taylor’s Patrol to diagnose and repair that turned into a successful contact with the enemy CRARRV towing a CR2 back to the ECCP during the DELAY mission

which highlight the issues faced in a tangible form. The CO thanked all he interacted with for their efforts; noting the LAD had gone above and beyond to maintain the fleet and get to an effective start state so that the BG could exercise sufficiently. Finally, it was time to deploy onto Salisbury plain for the FTX. Throughout the exercise, the Fitter Sections worked tirelessly to upkeep the REME’s principle of repair forward. AQMS Paton commanded the Equipment Collection Point (ECP) calmly and effectively, especially during a frantic DELAY mission which saw a stretched ECP forced to collapse and extract numerous vehicles in a significantly constrained timeframe. Once the new ECP was established, within 12 hours all vehicles had either been repaired or backloaded to the 4 REME Equipment Collection & Coordination Point (ECCP) for 2nd line repair, a great achievement from the Fitter Sections and noted by the observer mentors. One highlight of the exercise was during a no-drive day where Cpl Taylor, leading a patrol comprising of himself, LCpl Formoso, LCpl Evans and Cfn Fraser, went to diagnose a vehicle forward of their position. In doing so their patrol was contacted and they successfully destroyed the enemy through speed, aggression and an outstanding application of fire and manoeuvre principles. A great example of the ‘soldier first, tradesman always’ ethos the REME expects of all its soldiers. As testament to the LAD’s efforts, fleet availability during the exercise stayed at circa 91% throughout, giving the CO the freedom to utilise all his resources to best effect. The LAD was ably supported by 9 Armd Coy from 4 REME, whose FRTs were instrumental in reducing the ES burden, to allow the LAD to best concentrate its forward assets.