Page 33 - 29 CDO

Squares, MIBs and OSRVs
Capt B Douglas RA
As we reshape to become more Maritime Special Operations capable, 148 Bty finds itself in a unique and exciting position. Its traditional role as part of a pre-landing force already lends itself to this style of operation. Small, disaggregated teams delivering effects disproportionate to the size of the force is already, and always has been, the Bty’s core business. Yet as the ‘littoralisation’ of the world continues, the Bty has transformed to reflect the increased manoeuvre range that we must be capable of achieving.
Theatre entry and infiltration are key to mission success, and the Bty remains one of the few units in Defence who can insert by sea, land, and air. There is a tangible and genuine spirit of innovation which sees the Bty strive to not just remain relevant, but on the cutting edge of covert insertion techniques. While military parachuting may conjure images of 1944 in Arnhem, the Bty have moved away from the low level parachute (rounds) in favour of the BT380 (squares). Not only does this allow parachutists to steer and flare their canopies for a more tactical landing, but it is also fully marinised, allowing the teams to descend into water and RV with their boats.
On the water, the Medium Inflatable Boat (MIB) is still our vehicle of choice. Small enough to be discreet but large enough to handle rough sea states. Critically, the MIB can be delivered by air-dis- patch on the Maritime Modular Platform, and due to its inflatable hull, is also capable of conducting submarine RV. This combination of: Parachute/Air Dispatch, surface manoeuvre and submarine RV, when used together, give the Bty a global reach whilst retaining maximum stealth.
Over land, the Bty has invested heavily in the Jackal All Terrain Vehicle, training its observers to command and operate the reconnaissance platform. And while plans for further mobility platforms are still in their embryonic stages, the Bty’s mobility SME recently deployed to the Isle of Skye to assess the suitability of small 6x6 vehicles with exciting results. For those deployed to the arctic high north; the humble ski and pulka are still the backbone of movement over snow, however, the Over Snow Reconnaissance Vehicles (or skidoos) have now given the Bty a speed, range and another mode of exhilarating transport which would have been previ- ously unachievable!
THE BTY REMAINS
ONE OF THE FEW UNITS IN DEFENCE WHO CAN INSERT BY SEA, LAND, AND AIR
29 COMMANDO REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY 31