Guest Editorial: Lt Col Alex McGready

Lt Col Alex McGready REME

Following on from last week’s introduction to 6 (UK) Div by Col Houldsworth, Lt Col Alex McGready explains the role of Equipment Support to Land Specialised Operations.

Itook over as SO1 CSS in HQ 6 (UK) Div in September 2020, and, as the senior REME tied appointment, I found myself as the defacto Commander ES for the Division. When I arrived, the Division was partway through a transformation from Force Troops Command (FTC) into a formation that provides support to Land Specialised Operations. In my dealings outside of the Division since my arrival I am aware that there is limited awareness of what this actually means so I would like to outline what the Division is about to try and improve the understanding of what is a unique and exciting formation within the Army.

From its headquarters in Wiltshire, HQ 6 (UK) Div now has a structure of four specialist Brigades that deliver unique capabilities that have benefit for the Army, Defence and the wider Government. The Division sits at the heart of the Army’s efforts to contest state competitors day-to-day in the so-called ‘Grey Zone’, to fight asymmetrically in times of crisis, and to support our foreign partners against Violent Extremist Organisations (VEOs). The ‘Grey Zone’ is the security setting in which we seek to modify a state competitor’s behaviour without using lethal force, and at the same time set the conditions to drive enemy de-escalation in times of crisis. 6 (UK) Div was created - and continues to evolve - to give the Army an ever more sophisticated array of unconventional options to use in the ‘Grey Zone’. It carries

Lt Col Alex McGready – SO1 CSS 6 (UK) Div

A soldier prepares to launch the Desert Hawk 3 UAS (Unmanned Air System) over Salisbury Plain during a training exercise © Crown copyright 2015

out its role by fusing unconventional digital and physical effects, capability of 6 (UK) Div is very much at the forefront of Defence’s using cutting-edge sensors, electronic warfare, information effort to counter global threats in a rapidly evolving environment operations, data analytics, and cyber tools, as well as specially and moving forward looks to remain a key asset for Defence for the trained, equipped and adaptable forward forces. By using cutting foreseeable future. edge stand-off digital effects in concert with highly trained forward forces we aim to achieve a disproportionate effect whilst limiting our liability. Many of the novel unconventional techniques that 6 (UK) Div is developing to constrain state competitors, can also be applied to support our overseas partners against VEOs.

In terms of equipment, we have gone from a very equipment heavy ORBAT, under FTC, to a far lighter and more agile force. We support a wide variety of highly complex, low population equipment, much of which has elements that are at the cutting edge of military technology. This brings many supportability issues, especially when you consider that we currently have the largest enduring operational global footprint in the Field Army, with small detachments scattered across the globe in demanding environments. We can also become involved with the development of capabilities as we start to better understand the full potential of equipment that is coming into service. Operations have continued apace, despite COVID, and, as the Division evolves and its capabilities become more widely understood, it is under constant demand to provide its specialist capabilities. 6 (UK) Div is a stimulating place to work as an engineer, with many challenges to be faced when A Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar (MAMBA) in Al Amarah, Iraq delivering operational effect. The developing © Crown copyright 2004

APM PROJECT MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATION APMG CHANGE MANAGEMENT COURSE

CPD is important to the development of our Soldiers. We are keen to take opportunities to co-ordinate developing courses. BMC have been asked to deliver this training package.

Location: MOD Lyneham Course dates: 28 June - 9 July 2021 Cost: £2700 - eligible for ELCs 15 places available For more information contact: WO1 (ASM) Craig Ham rajareme@gmail.com

Places are on a first come, first served basis for serving personnel. These courses are NOT for those on resettlement.