Ex WESSEX STORM

Ex WESSEX STORM 3/22

Cfn Hughes conducting an ISI on a JACKAL

Production in a CBRN environment Company CP under Cam

Scribes: LCpl Homer and Cfn Marshallsay (12 CS

Company, 1 Close Support Battalion REME) 12 (Close Support) Company, 1 (Close Support) Battalion REME deployed on Exercise WESSEX STORM 3/22, as part of the 6 RLC Brigade Support Group (BSG) supporting the 2 ROYAL ANGLIAN Battle Group. The objective for the ES Company during the exercise was to verify all the skills learnt during our training year (conducting 2 x BCS Exercises and 1 x StA TL CHARLIE Ex) to confirm that we were ready to be validated as the ES element for the BSG of 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team, The Desert Rats.

Throughout the first two weeks of the exercise the personnel on the ground continued to do further training in the field; showcasing the ability and knowledge of the unit. Conducting lessons such as Immediate Action drills to Indirect Fire (IDF), how to deal with the civilian population whilst deployed, CBRN drills and many more. The Company demonstrated that they were more than competent; not only in their trade skills but also in their soldiering ability. In addition to the fieldcraft lessons, personnel were given the opportunity to conduct a night drive wearing night vision, which was a first for most! This allowed them to be deemed competent drivers under night vision, gaining them the qualification to do so.

Just before the start of the test phase of the exercise, a Forward Repair Team (FRT) from Vehicle & General Platoon was sent to imbed themselves into C Company, 2 R ANGLIAN as their lone Fitter Section. Being thrown in at the deep end, the members of the FRT had to quickly learn and adapt to the problems that would occur whilst working with a moving Battle

Inside the Company CP

Group (BG). When they first arrived, they were given the challenge to change a starter motor on a FOXHOUND, which is no easy task! This job had the FRT working until the early hours of the morning, continuing to work through the night and into the morning. This allowed the FRT to get the vehicle ready in time, to be sent out later the same day.

The tradespeople within the Company completed many different maintenance activities ranging from Land Rover engine changes, JACKAL prop shafts to FOXHOUND powerpack removal and fault finding. The exercise provided a great opportunity to learn new skills and develop understanding of many of the battle winning platforms within the Brigade; whilst also dealing with threats we weren’t used to such as the constant threat of IDF.

Before the final offensive phase for the 2 R ANGLIAN BG, the Company planned and executed a tactical equipment REHAB of all vehicles within the BSG and 2 R ANGLIAN BG. This involved the vehicles going through an Intermediate Safety Inspection (ISI) by Forward Platoon, and then any repairs being completed by Vehicles & General Platoon. If the repairs were assessed as requiring more than six hours, the spare parts were demanded back to the home units.

The exercise was followed up by both Platoons conducting separate extensive equipment REHABS for the Land Training Fleet to ready their vehicles for further Battle Group LMI conversions and 2 R ANGLIAN to prepare the fleet for Ex DESERT KANJAAR an OTX in Oman that the Company will be supporting in 2023.

Production in the dark

Staff Officers doing Staff Officer things...in CBRN