End to End REME

Engineering in Action

End to End REME Support to enable Mission Ready Training

From Aug 20 until Jan 21, BATUS Workshops, 4 Armd CS Bn REME and 1 MERCIAN LAD provided a continuous REME chain which took equipment from BATUS and prepared it for Mission Ready Training in Sennelager, Germany. This three-part series shows the successes of this joint effort and a highlight an effective and truly collaborative delivery of equipment support.

Part Three: 1 MERCIAN

Ex TALLINN DAWN

Scribe: Cfn Evans, VM Cl2

On arrival back in Germany on the 7 Jan we had to isolate within our bubbles, COVID restrictions had to be far stricter this time round as there was far more people who had to be accommodated within the Garrison. This didn’t stop the work though, this time we were receiving platforms sent from BATUS in varying states of repair. Having been through the Op IRON KRANE rehab, these vehicles had to be ininspected by the competent tradesmen within the Section, LCpl Kitchen and LCpl Alderson. Under the watchful eye of Cpl Wilson, the Company swiftly reached 92% availability, and was ready to step out the door. Unfortunately, the door never fully opened for B Coy as COVID-19 put a stop to our training as the Coy was forced to isolate for the majority of the exercise.

LCpl Randall conducting pre-firing checks on the 30mm

Pack lift in the ECCP

Dragon (Fire Sp) Coy, 1 MERCIAN

Scribe: LCpl Wilson

The Fitter Sections’ main task whilst deployed was to repair and recover Bulldogs and Warriors whilst adhering to strict COVID measures. This was not without its hurdles, especially when the snow engulfed us in extremely cold conditions down to -18°C. We were sustained by the finest food, lukewarm Norwegians of various shades of brown, to prepare for the crews only reporting faults in the darkest hours. Even with little sleep and all these adversities, the Fitter Section was able to overcome all challenges with a fierce amount of leadership, trade knowledge and an abundance of hot brews and Moralibo.

The MRT provided a good challenge for the 9-strong Fitter Section that deployed with Badger Sqn. The ten Challenger 2s which arrived from BATUS had not been used for over 18 months, resulting in a lot of niggly issues coming to the fore during the CALFEX. Maintaining and repairing the fleet in temperatures as low as -18°C not

CRARRV at sunset

CR2 pre-mission maintenance

only challenged our trade skill but also our physical and mental robustness. The teamwork and determination from the whole Fitter Section ensured the Sqn were able to successfully support the BG throughout the CALFEX and FTX.

CRARRV helping a CR2 negotiate the ice in the ECCP

30 AES CRARRV camouflaged in the wood line

30 AES, 26 Regt RE

Scribe: LCpl Reilly

As a Class 2 Technician, I was assigned to the CRARRV, supporting mission-critical assets such as the Titan, Trojan and Terrier. Deploying on my first major exercise, I was able to gain a lot of valuable experience. A highlight for me would be developing new skills required for the recovery of these platforms alongside LCpl Taylor and LCpl Curran. Recovering them from the forefront of the action, back to the ECCP where we could perform pack lifts and further fault diagnose.

For C Bty, the journey started on 17 Jan with a challenging road move across Europe, which presented the Workshop with an ideal platform to test some STRIKE concept ideas. Upon arrival at Normandy Barracks, the ageing fleet required some attention and the 8 strong Fitter Section (led by Sgt Ball) sprang into action. Dedication and hard work saw all platforms ‘Mission Ready’ for the upcoming exercise.

Once deployed onto the training area, we had hoped it would be plain sailing, but no plan survives first contact! The Fitter Section was soon encountering some complex and mind-boggling problems with Pinzgauer fuel and heating issues, MAN SV lack of power dramas and the standard axle change on a Land Rover all within a short time frame. The Fitter Section repair team of Cpl Donkin and Cfn Brownhill jumped into action to keep the vehicles in the user’s hands.

On completion of the exercise the Fitter Section was primed, cogged and waiting to pounce on any issues that may arise on the fleet before departure for the road move home. The Battery arrived back in the UK fault free and were received by the Workshop Artificer back into Albemarle Barracks. Working alongside the Regiment, an equipment rehabilitation was then conducted, headed up by Sgt ‘Gaz’ Wilcox and a team of VM’s, Armourers and the RLC Stores Section, the team turned the fleet around in a short period, ready for the drive to Marchwood to sail to Estonia.

Light Gun firing on Sennelager Ranges

Cfn Taylor working on the 105mm Light Gun

ES Platoon, 3 Armd Coy, 6 ACS Bn REME

Scribe: LCpl Gainsford

Having forged a strong working relationship with 1 MERCIAN LAD on the range camp prior to Christmas, the ES Platoon returned to Germany on 7 Jan to provide L3 support to the 1 MERCIAN BG.

Having taken over the vehicles and loaded the FRP we were primed to support the BG throughout the upcoming CALFEX and FTX. The constraints of STA fixed our ECCP in an area known as Dutch Barns, from here we provided FRT and recovery support to the BG. All soldiers were tested at trade in inclement weather as the BG ES requests came in thick and fast, this provided a great opportunity for the tradesmen to improve and maintain their SQEP ensuring our capability is maximised for Op CABRIT 8. As the FTX finished we handed back our vehicles to LTF(S) along with the BG, ready to head back to the UK for some well-earned leave.