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Guest Editorial - 3rd (United Kingdom) Division – The Iron Division
3rd (United Kingdom) Division –The Iron Division
Scribe: Col Richard Williams
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As I reflect on my first 10 months as Comd ES 3 (UK) Div, two thoughts immediately struck me: the first is how busy we continue to be as a Corps; and the second is how lucky I am to be right in the thick of the action, seeing first-hand our daily outputs. I arrived in post as we normalised post-COVID 19 … then Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine - arguably this generation’s strategically defining moment. Nobody reading this article will have missed the significance of 24 Feb 22 and the impact it has had on everyone across Defence. Most will also be aware of the Chief of the General Staff’s drive to ensure greater readiness through Op MOBILISE and Commander Field Army’s ‘More ready, more of the time’ initiative. So, with that in mind, and noting the centrality of the Corps to all of this, I thought it might be useful to give an overview of the Iron Division’s activity as we align with the intent and situation.
Warfighting is our Raison d ’etre
The Iron Division exists to fight wars and win. Therefore, at an individual level we must have a ruthless will to win, take extreme ownership of the challenges we face, and continue to be totally professional in all we do. At a collective level, this means we must be appropriately postured and ready to deploy at the speed of relevancy. Indeed, the current geopolitical situation proves once again the relevance of warfighting capability and the need for expert combined arms manoeuvre.
The Shift to Europe
In 2021, the Division pivoted activity and resource to the NATO Forward Holding Base Sennelager (NFS) in Germany in response to the emerging Russian threat; Op IRON KRANE rebalanced the
Colonel Williams, Comd ES
armoured fleet from BATUS and the UK to Germany to increase readiness and ensure a greater forward presence from two key locations. The Lead Armoured Task Force (LATF- BG1) is centred around the Stored Equipment Fleet in Monchengladbach (SEF(G)) and is held at high readiness. The Land Training Fleet Sennelager (LTF(S)) was also established to support Land Warfare Centre deliver Mission Ready Training (MRT) for the BG deploying on Op CABRIT, as well as enabling wider training in Europe and forming the core of the second-high readiness fleet (BG2). This laydown, in conjunction with the remaining fleet in the UK (BG3), allows the rapid generation and deployment of the Armoured Brigade Combat Team (formerly the Armoured Infantry Brigade). More recently and following Op IRON SURGE to reinforce the fleet in Estonia (BG4), and as part of a wider fleet rationalisation, Op IRON LIGHTFOOT is maintaining the longerterm laydown - this currently involves over 200 REME soldiers and equipment users having an almost permanent presence in Germany and has also seen multiple Reserve deployments to help maintain force levels.
Establishing BG1 in SEF(G)
Training for Warfighting
On top of enabling the new fleet readiness model, the pivot to Germany also allows a more focussed approach to training. The MRT pathway for Op CABRIT was established using the Sennelager Training Area to prepare the next CABRIT BG, which in turn feeds specific ‘Combat Ready Training’ (CRT) for the units to be held at high readiness. CRT is currently delivered at Castlemartin ranges and on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) but will move next year to Sennelager, Hohne, and Altmark, which will deliver a more comprehensive package. Longer term, training pathways are being refined to create smoother transitions and allow more efficient fleet management. NFS also supports several other higher-level exercises in which the Division participates, including Ex DEFENDER (A US led NATO rapid deployment Ex) and Ex CERBERUS (the ABCT validation exercise). This exercise is a key steppingstone for the Div HQ to prepare for Ex WARFIGHTER, the US Army delivered Multi-National CPX which validates HQ 3 (UK) Div HQ at Training Level (TL) H.
The Battle Craft Syllabus (BCS) underpins these pathways and reinforces one of the fundamental components of successful warfighting - Combined Arms Manoeuvre (CAM). Considering the current situation and impact COVID has had on training, the LWC and the Division will establish a CAM centre of excellence on SPTA to regain armoured competence and assure TL ECHO.
Fleet Management
As the situation in Europe develops, and additional activity is required, the availability and location of the fleet is especially important. You will already be aware of the challenges of keeping the
BG exercising on CRT
BG exercising on CRT at night
A CV8 PP Lift on CRT
current armoured fleet in the hands of the user, but maybe less so of the whole force efforts to make it happen. Under Op MOBILISE and the ‘More ready, more of the time’ initiative, the Division, HQ Fd Army, DE&S, Babcock and wider industry are working collectively to improve the functions required to generate higher equipment availability. Project IRON TRAIL is the Divisional plan to ensure that the equipment is held in the right locations to meet the multiple requirements of our fleet – this includes balancing the requirements against operations, readiness and training as well as ensuring platforms are available for Level 4 overhauls and mid-life upgrades. Project IRON TRAIL is also examining the unit Basic Unit Fleet (BUF) requirement to put more platforms back into the hands of the user and enable greater low-level competence. Whilst this may not produce instant results, and there will be a gap until the new digitised platforms (Ajax, Boxer etc) arrive, I remain enthused and impressed by the professionalism of our teams who continue to ‘magic up’ availability to meet the start line.
Future Soldier developments
Delivery of Future Soldier is well underway, with a significant number of changes in units and LADs across the Division already conducted. Notably, the Deep Recce Strike (DRS) Brigade Combat Team stood up on 1 Jul 22 bringing together Recce and Strike force elements formerly of 1 Armd Inf Bde and 1 Arty Bde; which when employed alongside 1 Avn Brigade Combat Teams (BCT), will streamline and enhance FIND and STRIKE effect. Whilst the alignment of 6 REME with the DRS has been delayed until later this year, both 3 and 4 REME have re-subordinated to their affiliated Armoured Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT) – 20 ABCT and 12 ABCT respectively. This move has already facilitated a closer relationship between dependant ABCT and units which has generated military and technical training opportunities. 5 REME are due to resubordinate from 104 Theatre Sustainment Brigade to 101 Operational Support Brigade in Sep 23. Whilst the changes within the Army Reserve are still being refined, 103 REME is already preparing for its new role and 102 REME move to 4 Light Brigade Combat Team in Nov 22.
Equipment being moved on Op IRON SURGE
Commitments
The Division currently has 3163 personnel deployed on operations or exercises and 4360 held at readiness. Of those deployed, over 750 are REME. The Division’s operational focus remains however, the European theatre where we currently have nearly 2000 personnel committed across 20 different locations. The main deployment remains centred on Op CABRIT in Estonia and Poland where we currently have an Armd BG and a Mech BG in Tapa and a PM subunit in Poland but are increasingly supporting partner nations and augmenting their laydowns. Work is underway with HQ Fd Army to rationalise the operational laydowns in Europe and to stabilise the Op CABRIT demand signal.
In direct response to the Russian invasion, the Iron Division planned and executed Op IRON SURGE. This saw the deployment of a second AI BG to Estonia at short notice and demonstrated a show of unity and intent with NATO – it was widely covered in the press. This involved the accelerated deployment of the R WELSH BG (straight from MRT in Germany!) which included 150 A Vehs and 114 B Vehs taken from a combination of BG1, BG2 and the UK BUFs. It also required an extension of the RTR BG in Estonia from 6 to 9 months. The operation involved capabilities from across the Field Army and the parallel deployment of equipment and personnel from Germany and the UK. Of course, none of this could have happened without the work of our own soldiers who worked tirelessly to ensure that it was a success.
In addition to the force elements held at High Readiness and on operations, the Division has personnel engaged all around the world in support of training, defence activity other than operations Defence Activity Other Than Operations (DAOTO), as well as forces committed to training the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Conducting repairs in Poland Summary
As you can see, the Division is being used, but is postured and ready to be useful and useable. This will continue as the demand in Europe evolves and we continue the journey from Ex CERBERUS to Ex WARFIGHTER 23.4 and then onto Ex DEFENDER in 2024. Whilst flexibility is required to meet the developing situation, one thing for certain is that team REME will be required to continue to deliver equipment availability despite the increasing challenges and change. Moreover, as we continue our journey to ‘more ready, more of the time’, we will be key in delivering success. Only by exercising a ruthless will to win, using mission command to solve problems at the lowest level, and by demonstrating our usual high standards of professionalism will we continue to keep the punch in the Army’s fist. It is a privilege to sit where I do and see how you all rise to the challenge demonstrating the very best our Corps has to offer and why you are all held in such high regard. I have no doubt we will continue to rise to every challenge! Arte et Marte.
Support to Ukrainian Armed Forces
Beyond training the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Division remains heavily involved in the Granting in Kind (GiK) of equipment and supporting materiel. From preparing elements of our own fleet to repairing equipment granted from other allies in several overseas locations, REME have been fundamental to the effort. Overall, the Division has granted a range of tracked and wheeled platforms, as well as artillery systems and we continue to anticipate further opportunities to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Vehicle Mechanics conducting trade training
Ex LADBROKE LION – 1 CS Bn REME Battlefield Study to Sicily, Italy
Scribe: Captain Macfadden-Marsh (1 CS Bn REME)
1CS Bn REME undertook Ex LADBROKE LION, a Battlefield Study following Operation LADBROKE and HUSKY - the British Airborne glider landing and subsequent allied invasion of Sicily in 1943. The outcome of the Battlefield Study was the enhanced knowledge of doctrine, leadership, training, and sustainment applicable to current and future operations through exploiting historical analysis and insights drawn from the tactical, operational, and strategic actions. Study Day One: The first day of studying and presentations covered the advanced force operations of 1 Air Landing Bde at Ponte Grande, the Special Raiding Squadron and Lamba Dora Artillery Battery and subsequent amphibious landing of the 8th Army at ‘ACID NORTH’ Beaches. Presentations were followed by group discussions after each stand, covering the lessons learnt from this operation and putting it into context of modern conflict. Study Day Two: Presentation and discussions on this day focussed on Key Terrain and Vital Ground, Airborne Operations, Defensive Operations and the considerations of Logistic and ES to these operations. The first two stands looked at the securing of two bridges – Ponte Primsole and Malati Bridges by Airborne and Commando led operations. The last stand of the day focussed on
1 CS Bn on the final day at Catania War Cemetery
defensive operations; remembering and revising on the ES Battlefield Maintenance Functions, principles of defence the and 4 D’s of logistic planning (Destination, Demand, Distance and Duration). Study Day Three: Each day we followed the operation further into the island. On the third day the terrain had dramatically changed - we were now firmly in the mountains. Here the study focussed on combined arms operations and offensive action; appreciating the difficulty of the terrain that had to be fought for and discussing individual unit efforts such as the Hastings and Prince Edwards Regiment at Assoro. Study Day Four: On the final day we conducted an act of remembrance at Catania War Cemetery and spoke about individuals that had given the ultimate sacrifice. To conclude the battlefield study, we attended the local 1943 War Museum to confirm all our learning.
Syndicate 1 briefing at ‘ACID NORTH’ Beach
