Op Makara

LRRG LAD on Op MAKARA

Op MAKARA forms part of ongoing British Operations in Mali. Op MAKARA

Following Op ELWIN 5, the LAD would have 10 days to turn around the fleet of 72 prime movers in preparation for Op MAKARA 1. The rehab included 28 day inspections of all platforms, numerous second line repairs and a multitude of other repairs, maintenance and formal inspections. The team worked tirelessly to ensure all equipment was prepared, even the EME and ASM would dust off their coveralls and assist with several FOXHOUND pack lifts and engine changes. The target was met and the LRRG deployed with all required vehicle platforms for the operation.

Op MAKARA was a Mobile Task Group (TG) led operation to reduce violence in remote areas of Sector East. Op MAKARA 1 saw the LRRG deliver a persistent presence in the important town of Tin Hama and understand Terrorist Armed Group (TAG) activity in the highly trafficked villages of Tassiga and Lelehoy. The ground was a mixture of dense vegetation, wadi networks and hard rocky plains which proved testing on all platforms. The A1 Echelon would establish a Leaguer location which both sub-units would then operate out of, conducting patrols in Tin Hama and Tahagla. Later phases of the operation would see the TG operate from the UN camp in Ansongo where patrols to Tassiga and Lelehoy would be conducted. Throughout, sub-units would have organic Fitter Sections providing in and inter mission ES effect.

Overall, the initial road move proved to be a success. The TG deployed in earnest to avoid the heat of the day, this saw us cover 70 Km, following the MSR to Ansongo camp. The FOXHOUND fleet proved to be difficult, however, the LAD was able to rectify all but one fault during the move to Ansongo. As the temperature increased (peaking to 42 degrees by 1400hrs), this caused additional issues with other platforms. The SV fleet experienced brake hub issues, largely down to the excessive temperatures and increased braking due to travelling through a multitude of small settlements, villages and markets. The daily HABOOB (dust storm) also proved to be a hindrance, coming from nowhere the TG was hit with visibility of 1-5 metres and winds of up to 50 knots. By the end of the road move, both hooks had casualty wagons and the EME looked like an umpa lumpa due to being hit with a dust storm in the 4th seat of a COYOTE. Not a good look. ‘Momentum is everything’ these were the chosen words of one of the commanders who would lead elements of the move to the TG Leaguer location. The route saw the TG follow the MSR south before breaking off cross country. After only 3Km cross country, the TG

grounded to a halt, with one MASTIFF simply not playing the game and a FOXHOUND insisting on cutting out and not starting again, the LAD sprung to action. Fast forward 30 minutes, we had a severely damaged MASTIFF suspension system due to the terrain and a FOXHOUND requiring a starter motor. The decision was made to re-group as towing vehicles this early in the move would likely cause additional issues. Once in a Leaguer location, the FOXHOUND was repaired with a replacement starter motor and the MASTIFF returned to Ansongo camp to allow for metalsmith work later in the operation.

Take 2 started again in earnest, the TG now had 2 free hooks, following the repair and recovery of other vehicles. This time round ‘Momentum was everything’, the TG completed a 25Km route across extremely rough terrain. The Cav Sqn led the way, identifying appropriate routes, they were followed by A1 Ech and lastly the LMI Coy. The route was completed within 2 hours and saw the TG complete in Leaguer Aluminium with all vehicles available for future Ops.

A Coy Prospective

LCpl Kev Bacon

After a short but busy rehab period following Op ELWIN 5 (our HOTO patrol), it was time to deploy on Op MAKARA 1, the first long range patrol of the Task Groups deployment. The Op would see the TG move into towns and villages to the East of Ansongo in an effort to reduce the violence and theft caused by VEO’s and Bandits. This would be done by providing a constant presence in and around the settlements, in the form of dismounted foot patrols and Sub-Unit Leaguers so that we could gain an understanding of how the terrorist groups operated and how best to stop them and protect the civilian population. But as an Armourer I didn’t expect to be getting involved too much in that side of the Op, my focus was on ensuring the various weapon systems and mounts used by the TG were in good order. I was a member of the 3-man Fitter Section embedded within A Coy, 2 R Anglian. Working from a Coyote, our primary job was to keep the vehicles moving, not an easy job given the extreme heat, frequent sandstorms and undulating terrain. And with the first phase of the Op being a 70Km move to a UN Camp in Ansongo, we were expecting a busy day. But much to the surprise of everybody, the Foxhounds managed to make it with only a few minor issues, the majority of which were rectified by my 2 VM crew members, Cpl Si Coakley and LCpl Mac Mckernan.

The start of the next day saw us begin our move to a TG Leaguer some 50Km to the East, half of which was off-road. Due to 2 vehicles needing to be recovered back to Ansongo, it took us a day longer than expected to reach our intended Leaguer location, and once the Leaguer was set, we got to work repairing any faults that had been reported. From here the TG split into Sub-Units to conduct their relevant activities, with A Coy including ourselves moving on to a town called Tin Hama to conduct patrols and engage with the locals to build the intelligence picture. Once we arrived at Tin Hama I was informed that I would be dismounting to conduct foot patrols along with Coy HQ, not something I ever expected to be doing as an Armourer but I love a challenge and I was eager to get started. After a short period, we dismounted the vehicles and began our foot patrol through the town. With each man carrying close to 50Kg of kit in temperatures pushing 45 degrees, it was pretty slow going, but good phys. 2 hours later, after chatting with the locals and dishing sweets out to the kids we returned to the vehicles and shortly after returned to our Leaguer location where we began the evening ritual of repairing any faults that had occurred during the day. Being on a peacekeeping tour I didn’t expect to be that busy repairing weapons, but the Infantry always seem to find a way to keep the REME busy.

That evening we got our first taste of the upcoming Mali wet season, a thunderstorm and an hour-long downpour which left us soaked and revealed the one downside to being in a Coyote; no roof. After a poor sleep on a wet camp cot, we departed again for Tin Hama with the already soft sand now absolutely saturated by the rain. We were expecting a day of digging, and we weren’t wrong. After 8 hours and over 20 vehicle bog-ins later, we’d only managed to travel around 6Km. With the Foxhounds defeated by the soft wet

sand, the decision was made to call it a day and head back to the Leaguer.

Fortunately, we didn’t get any more downpours for the duration of the Op and so we were able to carry on as planned. The next couple of days would see us continue to have a persistent presence in the town of Tin Hama, conducting foot patrols daily to reassure the locals and deter any VEO activity. It was around this time that the Foxhounds really started to struggle in the extreme temperatures, seeming to develop problems every 5 minutes during the heat of the day, but thanks to the tireless efforts of Si and Mac, the Foxhounds were never out for long and before we knew it the first phase of the Op was over and we were making our way back to Ansongo to rehab the fleet and get ready for the next phase of the Op.

C Sqn Prospective

Cpl Rachel Gwilliam

Op MAKARA 1 saw us head out as normal, until hitting our first storm just before we reached Ansongo, not a great start. After a short stop in Ansongo our Ftr Sect pushed out with C Squadron towards Tin Hama, the routes proved to be difficult due to the storms; many of our vehicles either started to overheat or get stuck in the wet soft sand. After a few days of being in and around Tin Hama we headed back to Ansongo to rehab the vehicles ready for the next phase. The second phase would turn out to be more of an issue for the vehicles and route selection, one minute we would be crossing hills with large rocks, the next we would be trying to cross wadies. Many airbags were blown, suspension parts damaged and tyres blown, we also experienced many faults we have never come across before. Phase two also gave the team and I a chance to get out and conduct patrols within Tassiga, speaking to locals on market day, this proved to be helpful to the mission as I could talk to females. After spending several days conducting patrols in Tessiga it was time to return to Bagnold, the return journey didn’t get off to a great start, one vehicle decided to snap a drive shaft, the team was quick into action as it was on the main road, in the hottest part of the day. We were back in ready for the long drive back, driving through many villages where children would run towards the road to wave. Seeing the way of life out here has made me more appreciative of everything I have and how privileged we are in the UK

ASM Prospective

WO1 ‘Fergie’ Ferguson

Working in the National Support Element (NSE) and supporting the Task Group Headquarters (TGHQ) while the EME deployed forward to tan it up, kept the ASM extremely busy! As the constant presence in CAMP BAGNOLD with the TG deployed, the ASM ensured that the level 2 - 4 repairs continued on the equipment left behind with his small crack team of 2x VMs and 2x Tech Elecs. Cpl Ryan Davey has been instrumental in cracking the whip, running the day to day business of the LAD and making sure LCpl ‘Kwik Fit’ Cocksey maintained the working stock of wheel assemblies using the Portable Tyre Repair Facility (PTRF). Cpl ‘Pistol Pete’ Vilkhau made sure the TG medical equipment remained serviceable as did LCpl ‘RC Airplane’ Malla on the TG unmanned aerial vehicles. One of the critical tasks of the ASM included the receipting of essential ES MAT into Th to then be deployed fwd in time for an inter-mission REHAB in Ansongo. The interoperability between the DEU and SWE ES counterparts has also been key to the LAD’s ES output. The DEU continue to provide the sole RBT capability in Th and even changed an SV clutch for us! The SWE themselves have been key in providing much needed welding capability for our newly arrived metalsmith Sgt Matty Hazel while our own equipment continues to arrive.

In summary. Op MAKARA 1 highlighted the best bits of what an effective LAD can provide on operations. Sub-unit Fitter Sections worked tirelessly when deployed to ensure vehicles remained on the ground and in the hands of users. The A1 Ech team reinforced the Fitter Sections on their return to the Leaguers and/or Ansongo camp, conducting inter-mission ES effect. The team left at Camp BAGNOLD, worked hard to turn-around the problem children vehicles left behind and were also instrumental in pushing both ES Mat and ES capability forward which undoubtedly maximised vehicle availability throughout. The TG returned from the 18 day Op in an orderly fashion with availability at 98%. Success.