DRAGON CRIMSON CANYON

As twenty soldiers and officers from the Army Air Corps and REME boarded a coach on a dreary March morning at Wattisham, the prospect of an upcoming adventure was enough to keep everyone going, despite it being 4am.

After various delays, leading to almost thirty hours of travel, we arrived at Grand Junction, a small town on the UtahColorado border, eager for our hotel beds. There were still miles to traverse to our starting point and after another day of driving we finally arrived in Moab, Utah, the gateway for expeditions in the Utah desert.

Our plan was simple; canoe 125 miles down the Green River to its confluence with the Colorado River. There was much preparation to be done: nine days with no resupply and only what we could carry in our already heavy boats meant we were very restricted on equipment and provisions. A miscalculation would pose a very real danger down route where there would be no phone signal for days or viable means of resupply or extraction.

As the day of departure broke grey skies greeted us. The weather forecast for the next two weeks was not much different and as we loaded our boats on a muddy bank in sideways rain, the challenge that lay before us became painfully real.

Less than 500 metres after setting off there was a stretch of grade 2 rapids – a baptism of fire for us novice skippers. As water flooded in over the bow, the prospect of a capsize and wet equipment for the foreseeable future seemed likely – fortunately, all boats made it through upright. After a long day of paddling into the wind and rain, a steep and treacherous bank made getting to camp an exhausting and dangerous endeavor. As we sat under tarps in torrential rain, we all thought surely the weather couldn’t get any worse?

As the days progressed our confidence and skills improved, along with the scenery and weather (or so we thought!) and spirits were high. A wide range of backgrounds and ranks made up the group, making for entertaining moments to say the least!

Day four started sunny and mild and the scenery was some of the best any of us had ever seen. Near the end of the day clouds rolled in and we all geared up for rain, however, the sky gave us some of the heaviest hail anyone had ever experienced. Not only was this freezing and felt like being shot with a BB gun, it also made paddling very laborious. Despite being an incredibly tough day, we were past the halfway mark!

The next few days we really hit our stride, covering 20 miles in one day alone. As we got deeper into Canyon Lands National Park, we were in one of the most remote places in the USA, seeing breathtaking scenery only accessible by canoe.

We woke on day seven to grey skies and the sound of raging water. Just downstream from our camp was a vicious grade 2 rapid section. After watching a demonstration from one of the highly experienced instructors, it was the turn of the first of our twelve boats. Things initially looked good; the line was perfect but then, an over-powered stroke from the stern brought the canoe side on to the flow of water. We all watched hopelessly as it capsized, sinking the confidence of the remaining boats. Despite some misjudged lines, the rest of the boats made it through upright and unscathed, marking the last major hurdle of the trip. For the last 25 miles we truly felt like captains of our boats. Before we knew it, we were at our final camp, exhausted and ready for a shower, safe in the knowledge that we had seen incredible sights and completed a challenge that few people would ever even attempt. After 125 miles we can all proudly call ourselves canoeists.

The triumphant Ex Dragon Crimson Canyon team at the end of their epic adventure.

Introduction

70 Field Company has continued to progress on its training journey, with both platoons having the opportunity to deploy on collective training exercises. This has been set against the busy backdrop of the continued provision of Land Equipment Support (ES) to all BCT units as well as supporting the Brigade Support Group (BSG) Headquarters’ drive towards validation. In addition, soldiers have had the opportunity to deploy on multiple AT activities, ranging from Malta and Germany to closer to home in the UK.

Vehicle Platoon

From 17-26 April, Vehicle Platoon deployed to Barton Stacey on their CT-Alpha exercise, demonstrating the use of a fully functioning workshop whilst operating in field conditions. During the exercise the Pl were able to perform repairs to numerous vehicles, displaying excellent trade ability. The tasks ranged from repairing an ISO lock on an EPLS to a fuse job on an LFG. Whilst deployed, members of the Pl were also faced with a series of demanding scenarios aimed at testing their soldiering skills. One of the more enjoyable scenarios was a recovery serial, where in the process of recovering a brokendown Land Rover there was an enemy contact. Having controlled the situation, all the trades worked harmoniously together to successfully extract the vehicle.

Throughout this period

Vehicle Platoon has also continued to provide Land ES to all 1 Avn BCT units. In particular, soldiers deployed on Exercise WESSEX STORM; supporting the ground support equipment for AH64-E validation and the King’s coronation flyover. Once again, the platoon was able to showcase it’s ability to operate from austere environments, based in fitter trucks at RAF Rissington. One of the more challenging jobs that exercising troops had to overcome was a hydraulic leak on an Oshkosh tactical aircraft refueller. A job which was said to have pushed the vehicle mechanics to the limit of their knowledge.

ELECTRONICS & GENERAL PLATOON

This month saw elements from 7 Aviation Support Battalion deploy on interesting trade related exercises across the UK. These challenging exercises saw troops from all trades test their skills in field conditions. During Exercise Vulcan Action elements of E&G platoon tested their trade skills by engaging with a series of exciting reallife scenarios, solving complex engineering problems under pressure in a more challenging environment. Soldiers from the metalsmith trade excelled early on by repairing vital pieces of equipment that allowed tenting and camouflage to be erected.

Armourers then deployed a full machine shop, demonstrating their ability to work 24 hours a day, in any environment. Meanwhile, recovery mechanics were kept busy attending the 3 (UK) Division Recovery Mechanic Technical Training Exercise (TTX), both as trainers and exercising troops. This three-week exercise was designed to allow recovery mechanics to train on a wide range of recovery tasks and in a variety of environments, including recovering equipment from rivers.

Electronics & General Platoon also spearheaded the Battalion’s contribution to the Suffolk Show, a renowned agricultural event held annually. The event serves as a significant platform for showcasing the region's rich farming heritage and rural traditions, as well as a great opportunity for soldiers from across the armed forces to actively engage with the community. The

Platoon brought a myriad of interactive demonstrations and displays to the Suffolk Show, from an interesting weapon stand, whose crown jewel was the 30mm cannon, to a piece of army heritage, the blacksmiths forge. Producing pieces such as fire pokers, troops had the opportunity to engage with the public, spreading awareness of a relatively unknown skillset within the armed forces. There was even time for soldiers to work with their counter parts in the American army, engaging in a miliary working dogs' demonstration for the public.

After a busy period, soldiers took a well earn break and deployed to Bavaria on a multiactivity package designed to push those who attended out of their comfort zone. Troops rotated through climbing, hill-walking, mountain biking and Klettersteig. Learning new skills and developing junior leadership.

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

X PLATOON ATTEND THE ADDITIVE MANUFACTURE CONFERENCE, PRAGUE 2023

In April 2023 members of X Platoon headed to Prague, Czech Republic to attend the Additive Manufacturing Conference Workshop, hosted by the Multi-National Logistics Co-Ordination Centre at the request of the European Defence Agency. This conference sees all member nations of the EU joining together to look at the complexities and possibilities of AdM in defence.

X Platoon took this opportunity to scope and learn about the many possibilities that can be achieved with 3D printing, the team’s primary goal was to learn about how battle damage repair, 3D modelling of components and repair of metal items can be achieved with 3D printing. Overall, the conference was a great success and will help X Platoon develop their own 3D printing area.

This conference was a planning meeting to finalise the AdM Village 2023 in Ede, Netherlands in June. Where all member nations will showcase their use cases, test 3D printers, provide seminars for education, share re-search, share 3D modelling and share their experiences in the additive manufacturing field. It will also be an opportunity for civilian industry partners to showcase what they have to offer and share their knowledge in this area.

71 Aviation Company

71 Coy have had a busy few months. The Engineering Acceptance Team have been continuing with the priority task of AH64-E acceptance, as well as finding time for junior leadership development days and social events. The company continues to support the Battalion on exercises, develop new engineering capabilities and prepare for the upcoming Field Gun Competition. The majority of our soldiers have also had the opportunity to complete Adventurous Training in Cyprus, Malta, Bavaria and the UK.

X Platoon are making good progress with several innovation projects, including electronic certification of maintenance, developing the Battalion’s airframe repair capability and Advance Manufacturing. If you have any ideas or projects you would like X Pl to be aware of or involved in, please get in touch at 7REME-X-Platoon@mod.gov.uk or through our Good Ideas Club.

Commanding Officer: Lt Col A Harris AAC

Second-in-Command: Maj P Parkes, AAC

Adjutant: Capt WES Hearnshaw, AAC

Regimental Sergeant Major: WO1(RSM) MR Jones