Happy 1st Birthday Gurkha ARRC Sp Bn LAD REME

Happy 1st Birthday Gurkha Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Support Battalion (Gurkha ARRC Sp Bn) LAD REME

AYO GORKHEY – GURKHAS ARE COMING!

Scribe: WO1 (ASM) Calf, WOIC LAD

WO1 (ASM) Calf extending the traditional Gurkha welcome to SSgt Bhara (REME) and Cpl Keshab (2 RGR)

Who are we?

Unique by design, the Gurkha Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Support Battalion (Gurkha ARRC Sp Bn) is the organisation that supports the UK’s contribution to NATO’s ‘Corps Warfighting’ Command capability, by PROJECTING, PROTECTING and SUSTAINING a 3* multinational Headquarters, from firm base to anywhere in the world. This would routinely look like, 4 Command Posts (MAIN, FWD, REAR, TAC - in a warfighting context), separated by up to 100km. With a Battalion configured like no other, we achieve this by using a combination of, Combat (RGR Troop), Combat Support (2 x RE Troops) and Combat Service Support (RLC, REME, Med) soldiers and Officers; all of which are integral to the Battalion Orbat.

The LAD

It’s been a busy first year in the history of the Gurkha ARRC Sp Bn and its supporting LAD. The Battalion redesignated in July 2021 to become part of the Brigade of Gurkhas and hence is now titled ‘Gurkha ARRC Support Battalion’. With a gradual shift towards a much higher Gurkha footprint, this will also see change in the LAD. The LAD strength currently stands at 0+19 which includes 13 Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR) VMs and Armourers, and one Gurkha Comms Specialist. Similar to the Royal Marine construct, trade groups for Gurkhas are limited. The remaining positions in the LAD, which includes all those not filled by Gurkhas, are filled by traditional REME tradesmen. This results in a LAD that looks like the following chart, with green representing RGR personnel and blue REME personnel:

The LAD has the following REME tradesmen: An Artisan SSgt VM as 2IC and PP&C, a Sgt Class 1 Recovery Mechanic, a Cpl Class 1 TSS and finally a LCpl Class 1 Metalsmith.

Bn winning LFTT team from the LAD

The First Three Months (Jul to Sep 21)

My first three months saw the LAD preparing the Battalion ready to deploy on Ex STEADFAST LEDA, in support of a NATO 3*, Corps warfighting HQ validation exercise. This was my first real test and experience of seeing the LAD in action. I am glad to report that despite a large turnover of key personalities including the ASM (me), 2IC, Recy Mech and several Gurkha VM’s, I was impressed with what I saw. With a ‘look forward’ approach and known lack of facilities at the final destinations (Germany and Poland), the LAD worked hard to bring major servicing and maintenance events forward to avoid having to perform any of these activities while deployed. My Gurkha team are great, they completely embody our own Corps ethos of ‘Soldier first, tradesman always’ within the LAD. A mindset I truly admire and witness in their daily working routine. With this being the first time I have worked alongside Gurkha soldiers, I have found them to be incredibly capable, and consistent in their delivery; always meeting the required output. As a result, the unit was set for a successful deployment on the afore mentioned Exercise. It has been a pleasure commanding this LAD.

Ex STEADFAST LEDA 21 (Oct – Dec 21)

Scribe: SSgt Mike Bhara

Our deployment via sea came around quickly and shortly after summer leave, we found ourselves unloading trucks at Emden port, Germany from a RORO (Roll on Roll off) ship. From here, we deployed the fleet of 80+ ground effect equipment south to Normandy Barracks, Sennelager, where half of the equipment would remain, and the Battalion would begin to build HQ ARRC’s ‘MAIN and REAR CP’. The Battalion then split, and half would conduct a two-day onward convoy to an airfield in a town called Bydgoszcz, South Poland, where we would construct a ‘FORWARD and TAC CP.’ These CPs would not only consist of Ops rooms and workstations for the staff but also included a full RLS suite including feeding, accommodation, welfare and ablution facilities, all of which are required to ensure HQ ARRC can provide a 24/7 warfighting command capability over a duration of two months in Poland and Germany. This saw the Bn and its fleet split, not only over a large line of communication but also country boarders. This generated some new challenges in a COVID era. Moving spares, fuel deliveries and other G4 support were no longer as straight forward as it used to be. Life in ‘tent city’ was also a different experience, not having to dig in like most exercises I have been on, but rather building up more permanent site designed with a longer sustainment goal in mind. Upon completion of the HQ ARRC’s exercise, the Battalion are left to collapse, reconstitute and then redeploy, once certain readiness conditions were met. It was great to see so many senior officers from HQ ARRC assist in the collapsing and packing of ‘Tent City’. The physical redeployment back to the UK was fast and furious as more and more borders were closing due to the OMICRON variant sweeping through Europe. Nonetheless, all the kit and equipment were successfully turned around and ready for re-tasking as and when required, held @R4. The team then managed to depart on some well-earned Christmas leave. For the LAD, the deployment and subsequent redeployment presented the challenge of testing our ability to work at reach with minimal firm base support. However, the team worked excellently together and developed a strong bond which endures to date.

LAD team cohesion day

Forward LAD – Bydgoszcz, Poland. (Note the Gurkhas in flip flops and Brits in full rig for a snowball fight)

LAD farewell to Sgt Dal (RGR) on completion of his Colour Service

Battalion Battle Rhythm (Jan – Jun 22)

Scribe: Sgt Naresh 2RGR Class 1 VM

The LAD returned after a well-deserved winter stand-down period to complete the next iteration of JAMES maintenance required by the advance of Ex DEFENDER 22 M3 CPX. For some members of the LAD, this took place after extended leave back home in Nepal; where many had not been for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of BDSG FMST’s the LAD was able to return the Ground-Effect Vehicles (GEV) back to the mandated levels of above 85% by the end of Apr 22; an outstanding achievement given availability had dropped significantly over this period. With 2022’s major exercise cancelled and a smaller Ex DYNAMIC FRONT to take place, the LAD had some time to focus on the ‘play hard’ aspect of life here in the Bn. Organised events took place such as paintballing, Gurkha messing (“traditional food, which is sublime” – ASM) and a few games nights, dominated by the Seniors. Looking to the future, we have the Battalion’s first birthday event which will be celebrated in conjunction with the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

A Gurkha’s Perspective

Scribe: Cpl Tapan, 1RGR Class 1 VM

Working in the Gurkha ARRC Sp Bn LAD as a Class 1 VM has given me a great opportunity to work on different vehicle platforms. I have gained a lot of experience working on and inspecting the MAN SV and Mastiff platforms, which has broadened my SQEP as a tradesman and developed me for future postings. As an RGR tradesman, the opportunities to enhance our trade skills are limited due to having less exposure to platform varieties within the Regiment. At Gurkha ARRC Sp Bn LAD we have to be much more flexible with multiple platforms to look after. Working in this LAD has provided me with the tools to develop, learn and enhance my personal and professional skills. Gurkha ARRC Sp Bn LAD is one of the best places I’ve had the opportunity to work. It is truly unlike any other unit due to its multiple cap-badges and cultures working under the same umbrella.