Ex Vulcan Combat 21

Since it’s inception in the winter of 2019, 70 Field Company of 7 Aviation Close Support Battalion REME, had not been able to deploy on either a Battle Craft Syllabus (BCS) exercise or a specificto-arm Equipment Support (ES) exercise.

Ex VULCAN COMBAT saw the Coy simultaneously undertake both.

The Aim of Ex VULCAN

COMBAT was to provide assurance within 1 Aviation

Brigade Combat Team (1 Avn

BCT) that not only could we conduct second line ES, but that we could protect ourselves and carry out other missions whilst doing so. The ES phase also saw the Battalion hosting the first ever Land ES Study

Day. The Study Day involved all ES departments within 1

Avn BCT, they discussed the provision of Land ES to the fighting Regiments that provide support to all aviation elements throughout the Army.

Collective Training – BCS

Written by Cfn Bruce, Vehicle and General Platoon

I recently deployed on Ex VULCAN COMBAT, organised by 70 Field Coy. After an early morning Monday start, we deployed to the Longmoor training area, where we hastily set up our harbour location and started our Reception, Staging and Onward Integration (RSOI) package with a lesson on Orders.

Following an extended period of COVID-19 compliant field training, the RSOI serials were designed to help refresh and sharpen our skills and drills. The RSOI consisted of ten lessons, ranging from ‘Camouflage & Concealment’ through to ‘Aviation Awareness’. We were required to navigate ourselves between these serials which some of us found more challenging than others, however, it strengthened our basic soldiering skills as a result.

The evening of the second day included a night navigation test, with ten checkpoints to reach in a two-hour period. Although we had torrential rain and limited vision, most of us were successful within the time limit. Day three was the start of our tactical exercise; we cleared our new harbour area and began a lengthy period of digging in.

The next few days consisted of Section attack serials, where we rotated Section Commanders and helped each other correct any areas for improvement. We also celebrated the Corps’s birthday by conducting Platoon attacks, before entering our simulated rest day. We ended the exercise by conducted our first Coy attack since our formation as a Coy, with each Platoon clearing three positions; none of which would have been possible without the two immaculate recce’s that were conducted by three Section of both Platoons.

Collective Training – CHARLIE (CT-C)

Written by Cfn Wells, Vehicle and General Platoon

Upon completion of our base line training, we swiftly progressed to Combined Training. This phase provided us the opportunity to demonstrate our second-line trade skills and what 70 Field Coy could do. CT-C began in high spirits as we set up our Coy harbour location. With the combined Coy effort, we secured our area with comms, vehicles, nets for concealment and all the tools needed for the multitude of Vehicle Mechanic, Recovery Mechanic, Metalsmith and Armourer tasks that were lined up throughout the week.

As we launched into our first day, personnel were tasked with their individual jobs. These ranged from diagnosing a MAN SV with major ECU faults, to the removal and condemnation of a prop shaft. Throughout the rest of the week, despite the dismal weather, we were able to achieve a significant quantity of in-the-field ‘prod’. This included diagnosis and repair of air leaks, replacement of timing belts, and the reconstruction of an exhaust with the aid of the Metalsmiths.

Once specific trade taskings had been completed, we gained experience with different trade groups. I was able to step into the shoes of an Armourer and Metalsmith. We were able to gain understanding of how each trade conducts work whilst in the field as well as getting some hands-on experience. I learnt a variety of skills including how to weld, conduct expedient repair on various components and how to differentiate between unique weapon systems.

Overall, Exercise VULCAN COMBAT was an enlightening experience for everyone, getting us out of the workshop and developing our skills as soldiers in every aspect.