PURPOSE
WATCHKEEPER THE ROAD TO READINESS The world is continually evolving with the fast-paced race for technological advancements in both the military and civilian sectors. Written By: Gnr Frewen 47 Regt RA
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aintaining a strong structure and ethos around training is important for the aviators of the Watchkeeper, a Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS), as they consistently seek to improve and develop. This was reiterated in the Integrated Review (2021), which highlighted the Watchkeeper RPAS as an integral part of the British Army’s ‘Future Soldier’ Programme. The Watchkeeper Force needs to be ready for any given task, from modern warfighting to providing Military Aid to Civilian Authorities (MACA). A recent example of this was the first UK Operational deployment for Watchkeeper during Op DEVERAN. This saw the system deploy to Lydd Airport to support HM Coastguard and Border Force interdict migrants attempting to cross the English Channel. To guarantee that Watchkeeper can respond to a variety of tasks, the ‘Road to Readiness’ for the aviators of the 47th Regiment Royal Artillery is all encompassing and rigorous, yet adaptable. Following a successful completion of Ex ATHENA REBUS in Cyprus, which is the Watchkeeper Regiment’s overseas assured flying location and allows for effective technical training in all Watchkeeper related trades, the next step for 57th (Bhurtpore) Battery was to add in tactical elements. For the Battery, this included Ex BHURTPORE SEPOY and Ex FLYING BURAJA, Battery (SubUnit) Level Training (CT(A)) and Regimental (Unit) Level training (CT(C)) exercises respectively.
Physical training was increased to prepare the Battery’s personnel for the multiple upcoming exercises and the potential for operational deployment. Initially, online delivery of physical training was vital to maintaining a responsible and COVID-safe working environment for the soldiers. However, with the implementation of social distancing and other protective measures, normal physical training shortly resumed to safely allow for loaded marches, outdoor circuits and the new Role Fitness Test (RFT) training. Ex BHURTPORE SEPOY was a critical part of training, focussing on refreshing basic soldiering skills. A two-week programme was created to provide outdoor lessons and briefs, ensuring a smooth deployment on to the exercise. This consisted of navigation, Battlefield Casualty Drills, patrols, fieldcraft and more, ensuring a smooth and safe deployment onto the exercise. The exercise scenario was based around an armed group in Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA), to provide a suitable context within which to enable training. Initially, troops were based out of a harbour location where fighting and recce patrols quickly became the norm. Before long, the troops established a Forward Operating Base, layering in urban complexities. The Exercise culminated in a Companysized deliberate attack. Overall, the exercise sharpened the Battery’s basic soldiering skills and built a strong foundation for further training.
LBdr Gibson (Section 2IC) summed up the exercise: “It was good to get back out on exercise with the troops after such a long time off from these types of events. The exercise was well resourced, testing each member of the Battery, making it the highlight of our road to readiness.” Following Ex BHURTPORE SEPOY, the Battery deployed onto Ex FLYING BURAJA; designed to further test concurrent activities, the operation of Watchkeeper and the tactical elements previously exercised, in an all-encompassing live-virtual exercise. The scenario saw the sub-unit deploy under the Regimental Command Post as the forward deployed task lines of Watchkeeper supporting a Divisional Battle. New Recce concepts were tested, pushing out far beyond SPTA to better understand how Watchkeeper can operate from large, builtup, and more populated areas. Lt McIntyre, the Battery’s Recce Officer, commented: “It was an excellent opportunity for us to test new concepts and
update the Recce doctrine at 47 Regt RA. We spent a week pushing out to locations, such as Bath Racecourse and the Top Gear Racetrack in Swindon, looking for places we could theoretically operate a Watchkeeper subunit. This proved our ability to move quickly across a battlefield and sustain the resource demands of a RPAS capability as a Regiment.” Although the flying element was simulated utilising the Virtual Battlefield Simulator within the training facility at Larkhill, the exercise was no less intense, and the Battery was responsible for three Task-Lines. Everyone, from the air system operators to logisticians, were tested on Ex FLYING BURAJA. These exercises, in addition to the Watchkeeper trade training previously conducted, meant that the Battery was fully prepared to assume readiness. 57th (Bhurtpore) Battery Royal Artillery is now excited to be at Readiness and stands ready to deploy wherever and whenever asked.
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