Year in the Life
A Year in 2 PARA Light Aid Detachment
Kabul Airport
Foreword Scribe: WO2 (AQMS) Si Rose
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aving spent many years within 16X and at various states of readiness, it seemed rather routine when 2 PARA would again take the lead for Air Manoeuvre Battle Group (AMBG). However, the last 12 months have been anything but. With an extremely busy run in to assuming AMBG lead at the end of May 2021, Ex WESSEX STORM on SPTA would be used to validate the battlegroup in winter of 2020, trying to deliver Ex WS5/20 during COVID presented extra complications together with various vehicle safety notices causing unforeseen extra work. Upon return to Colchester and a thoroughly well-earned Christmas break it was soon back to ‘knees to chest’ maintaining the c.260 ground effect platforms the LAD must continually manage and the impending AMBG HOTO with 3 PARA at the start of June 21. Concurrently to managing the aged fleet and ensuring ‘proof of good order’ at HOTO date, the LAD also supplied tradesmen to two further OTX’s; Ex AFRICAN LION (Italy into Morocco) and Ex SWIFT RESPONSE (America into Estonia). Both of which were based around the Lead Company Group (LCG) with a parachute decent into both host countries. Having now assumed AMBG lead, June would see the Lead Company Group (LCG) encompassing 3 LAD tradesmen and the wider Lead Assault Force (LAF) deployed to Cyprus in an overt capability display to our adversaries on Op FORTIS. Here, the LAF would use the resources of the islands already well-established infrastructure as a Forward Mounting Base (FMB). Working mainly out of Radio Sonde and Episkopi Garrison, the LAF set the conditions for a successful forceable entry in the North of Jordan, culminating in a joint assault on a village complex with the Jordanian SF. For the eagle-eyed readers, this operation was also a small part of wider carrier strike group activity providing the LAF with simulated fighter jet air cover whilst it covered off its own TO’s. With defence focussed on the Middle East as we inserted into Jordan, the humanitarian crisis was unfolding as the Taliban re-took large swaths of Afghanistan. It soon became apparent that evacuation of many thousands from the war-ravaged country was soon to be required. Step forward 2 PARA Battle-Group once more, with very little planning time force packages from across the Brigade were generated and stood by to move to Kabul to carry out the NEO. Further planning took place followed by the receipt of various CAV’s (Armoured Land Cruisers) for use in country which resulted in the ES 10 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk
elements to become part of the force package. This resulted in 4 individuals from the LAD (the only REME elements to get into country) deploying on Op PITTING. Following on from the visceral onslaught of Op PITTING the lads returned to some much-needed rest before picking up the pace for an EC reset and the run up to a further AMBG deployment. Looking back, it has been an extremely busy period for the Brigade; we wouldn’t have it any other way and I’m extremely proud to be at the helm of a particularly inspiring group of individuals, their thoughts of the previous deployments follow on. We now look forward to Ex FALCONS AMARANTE in the Toulouse area of France, where we will conduct interoperability training with our allies and try to mend some relationships after AUKUS.
Ex AFRICAN LION Scribe: LCpl Dean, Class 2 VM Ex AFRICAN LION was my first exercise as part of 2 PARA and 16 Brigade. During this exercise we worked closely with our American counterparts and it was good to see the similarities in how we both operated. Before deploying to Morocco where the main exercise was taking place we stopped short in Italy for some low level training before the real fun began. While working with the 173rd Airborne, I was impressed with how well we managed to work together and how quickly we adapted to their way of operating whilst on exercise. As the lone VM, I had the responsibility of ensuring all the quads were kept on the road. A demanding task as the quads were being constantly used and did not like the heat in Morocco. Being apart of the RAL was an experience I will never forget and I had to quickly adapt to the different terrain and heat I was use to back in England, which wasn’t as easy as I had thought. So far, compared to all the other nations I have worked with, the 173rd Airborne have been the best. The skills and knowledge I have taken away from working with them will stay will me throughout my career and I will use them to further myself. On the return via Italy again, we managed to squeeze in some R&R and had the chance to travel some of the country. Florence was by far the most rememberable place we visited, as it was truly a beautiful place. Moments like these are the reasons I joined the army and I am looking forward to the future exercises and operations within 16X, working with different nations and seeing more of the world.
