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Exercise WARRIORS CRAFT – LCpl James Noble
In July this year, soldiers from
Kohima Company joined with others from across the Battalion to provide a platoon
to join the RTR Battle Group (not forgetting the elements of 1 and 5RRF, and 5RIFLES as well) for Exercise WARRIORS CRAFT in BATUS. This was a low-level groundwork introduction to fighting in the armoured world. The first thing that strikes you is the size of an Armoured Battle Group, and the fact that this is all swallowed comfortably by the vastness of the Canadian wilderness. It was nice to have the warm, steady summer temperatures as opposed to the incessantly changeable weather of ‘sunny’ Brecon!
Getting started, we were immersed into operating as a single vehicle/dismounted section and into platoon operations for the first couple of days. This was a rapid and almost vertical learning curve for us. We quickly moved on to operating in Company and Battlegroup offensive manoeuvres, by day and night. As crews and dismounts, we were kept particularly busy. The final attack gave us, as light-role infantry, the opportunity to show-off, with an insertion onto the edge of an urban area to maximise concealment on the approach and the heavy armour providing fire support.
The progression of training capitalized on the adaptability of the integrated Reservists, who were able to enhance operations from section level and onto other command appointments. It was a great experience
of building the knowledge of operating
in the offensive armoured battle and operating in built-up areas with armoured support. As one of the many overseas exercises that elements of 4MERCIAN have supported, this showed again the utility and effectiveness of the Mercian reservists.
Looking out on the vastness of Canada / Canada / July 18
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Preparing / Canada / July 18
The 4MERCIAN contingent / Canada / July 18