Ex STALLION BLADE

On a cold winter’s morning in early December two platoons consisting of 93 personnel from across 4AAC Workshop deployed to Stanford Training Area in Norfolk to conduct some long overdue core combat skills training. The training package delved back to basics, with troops occupying a harbour area, entering routine, and then receiving lessons on a variety of field craft subjects delivered by experienced and qualified personnel from across the regiment.

On the evening of the first night, troops set off in teams of four to compete in a 5km night navigation exercise. This was designed to test their ability to read maps, patrol in a tactical manner and navigate difficult ground in darkness. The temptation to use white light and move on established tracks or pathways was countered with the threat of being burdened with a 20-litre jerry can if caught! The fastest team returned in 1 hour 31 minutes, narrowly beating the next team by 2 minutes. It was a strong effort all around, with one team getting to practice wet and dry drills after an impromptu river crossing!

The next morning the two platoons were ‘bumped’ at 5:45am and forced to defend their harbour area from ‘enemy forces’. Having repelled the attack, it was straight into a morning chocked full of lessons from the Battlecraft Syllabus. By mid-day the troops were ready for battle and received orders for section attacks. Sections were then pitted against a variety of enemy positions which saw them expend sixteen thousand rounds and numerous smoke grenades on their way to assaulting and defeating a determined adversary. Victory secured and skills thoroughly refreshed, it was time to come home.

For some it was their first combat skills exercise since phase one training; for others, after a busy year maintaining aircraft, the exercise was an opportunity to remember they are Soldiers

First, Tradesman Always.

Capt Karl Edwards 4AAC Wksp

The Cold Weather Aviation Operators Course (CWAOC) is a physically and mentally demanding course designed to prepare personnel for the extremes of operating in Norway or other cold weather environments. It is conducted under Exercise CLOCKWORK at Bardufoss, two hundred miles inside the Arctic Circle.

Personnel first spend two days in the classroom learning about everything from layering clothing to tent construction and loading a pulk (a Nordic human-drawn sled). They then deploy into the field for five nights, developing their newly taught skills in the harsh cold, across a variety of challenging terrain. Personnel learn to use micro-navigation to navigate themselves and their tent groups around the arduous and often featureless training area. Training then progresses from merely living in the Arctic to fighting, with troops having to adapt their core combat skills and tactics to operate effectively in the snow and cold.

The final night of the field phase sees personnel enter survival mode, having to build their own shelter, kill and cook their own food, and keep warm. The following morning, they conduct the dreaded icebreaking drills; jumping into freezing water through a hole in the ice before hauling themselves back out. The whole experience is designed to prepare troops for the ice cracking beneath their feet, when crossing frozen rivers or lakes.

This course is vital for all JHC personnel deploying to the High North in support of NATO operations to ‘enhance deterrence and defence’ in the Arctic circle. Securing NATO’s northern flank not only acts as a deterrence toward Russian aggression in the area but also demonstrates the capability to operate in similar harsh environments.

I experienced a range of challenges whilst on the course, including being second-incommand of my tent group, being tested in the tactical phase and the icebreaking drills. I found the icebreaking to be a particular struggle as I am not the most confident person in water however, I completed the drill with a lot of motivation and determination to push through the mental and physical hurdles. Having completed this course, I am confident in operating effectively in this harsh climate and look forward to deploying to Norway or any other cold weather environments in the future.

Commanding Officer: Lt Col M Jones REME

Second in Command: Maj S Bass, REME

Adjutant: Capt S Higgins REME

Regimental Sergeant Major: WO1 (RSM) R Strydom, REME