Page 37 - 1RHA 2023

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Ex VIGILANT ISLES – Japan LBdr Cole and LBdr Russell
In order to prepare for the rigours of exercise in the Japanese mountains, members of 1RHA travelled to Garelochhead, in the rugged North-West of Scotland, and embarked on Ex CYPHER
ISLES. This was a 10-day training package focussing on obser- vation, reconnaissance, and basic soldiering. Lessons included map reading, patrol formations, breaking contact drills led by 7 Para RHA, section attacks, range card drawings, using radios/ comms and many more.
A tactical phase concluded the Ex and gave the patrols a chance to apply all they had learned. Each patrol was dropped into the area with orders to establish observation posts onto specific objectives. With kit weighing up to 60kg traversing the ground in Garelochhead was a tough challenge that all involved rose to.
In late November 2022 members of 1RHA, boosted by soldiers from 7 Para RHA, 29 Commando Regiment RA, 4/73 Bty, 2 PARA and 104 Regiment RA, deployed on Ex VIGILANT ISLES 22, alongside the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF). Working together to develop our own and the JGSDF’s opera- tional skills and to build understanding and trust, a fascinating experience for all involved. The exercise took place up in the Japanese mountains of Nunobikiyama and saw members from the Royal Artillery take positions in observation posts across the training area that was simulating the defence of a small island
“I don’t think they got the joke”, Chesnut Troop FST’s and a JDF member a few moments before a brief
All UK Exercise members with some of the Japanese Defence Force
within the Indo-Pacific. The JGSDF’s Pathfinders guided the for- mation in and provided teams of their own to create a system of patrols and observation posts across the training area.
Feeling well prepared by the build up training conducted in Gare- lochhead, all involved traversed unforgiving terrain, mainly by night, enduring inclement weather and sleep deprivation. Wear- ing Tactical Effects Simulation equipment throughout, any con- tacts resulted in sim casualties and there was a constant threat of mines and artillery fire. This all created a realistic scenario for the troops on the ground to throw themselves into. In the Joint Fires Cell, the command team worked hard liaising with the Japanese
JDF and UK personnel waiting to insert to the exercise area by Chinook
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