Page 102 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Northern Lights - Night Firing in BATUS
IN MID- AUGUST, THE ENTIRE FLEET ROLLED OFF THE BATUS ‘DUSTBOWL’ AND ONTO THE PRAIRIE, A FEAT RARELY ACHIEVED
2016 was dominated by the deployment to Canada, which for B Company came in August on Exercise PRAIRIE STORM 3. Following the success of A and D Company earlier in the year, it was B Company’s chance to prove themselves as part of the QRH Battlegroup, cementing their armoured capabilities before high readiness in 2017. The Ri emen had completed signi cant build-up training, and were ready to take on both the prairie and the forces of the Scots Guards Battlegroup.
The state of the BATUS vehicle eet complicated preparations for the month on the prairie. After a season of constant exercise, the Warriors desper- ately required maintenance, and B Company had precious little time to do it. Staff Sergeant Lawton and his Fitter Section, with the help of many hard working Ri emen, turned a eet of stuttering wagons into a company of exercise-worthy Warriors to the praise of the COs of BATUS and the QRH. Although Camp Crowfoot’s coffee supply faltered, the Company did not! In mid-August, the entire eet rolled off the BATUS ‘dustbowl’ and onto the Prairie, a feat rarely achieved.
A serious of live- re ranges followed, designed to take a Ri eman from basic re-team attacks up to complicated company-level manoeuvres, combining both mounted and dismounted skills. The training
allowed time for all-important Platoon and Company level training, which pleased the B Company chain- of-command. The Standard Operating Proce- dures (SOPs) we developed proved crucial when the pressure was on. Operating dismounted, we also learned to respect the Alberta landscape. The open prairies seemed from a Warrior turret to go on forever, but on foot Ri emen learned to appre- ciate every fold in the ground. The terrain was often unexpectedly steep, and night ranges pushed the limits of our navigation skills in such an environment.
After a short period of adjustment from live to blank ring, we fought the Scots Guards Battlegroup in the all-important force-on-force phase, operating with recce, anti-tank, cavalry and engineer assets in a complex environment. B Company had many highlights during this phase, although most will remember it for the challenge of night navigating long distances under radio silence. At one point, Cpl Stewart found himself leading 6 Platoon in the opposite direction to a whole squadron of tanks only a few kilometres short of an objective, although fortunately he trusted his sense of direction and the wayward tanks were somewhat navigationally embarrassed. Obstacle crossings became an art-form and strong navigators priceless; however, it was B Company’s battles that truly tested their resolve.
On one defensive location, the enemy attacked in droves towards Serjeant Telling’s more exposed left ank. Without hesitation, his wagon alone managed to destroy vehicle after vehicle and with the help of 5 Platoon and remainder of 7, ensured the Observer Mentors had to regenerate the enemy completely to stretch B Coy.
It was during this phase that LCpl Humphrey- Lomberg picked up a case of the QRH CO’s nest champagne for managing to destroy at least ve enemy main battle tanks...whilst dismounted.
The nal three night attacks were the most memorable. Visibility was reduced and adrenaline was high, and attack run-ins seemed endless with Ri emen eager to get out of the Warriors and onto the ground. Utilising skills learnt in the previous phase, clearing villages was smooth and fast. As Ri emen cleared through their last compounds, and the nal sunrise lit the skies, B Company had proved their ability to deploy on operations overseas in preparation for their year of high readiness.
Lt Mike Macbeth, B Coy
Training and Operations
EX PRAIRIE STORM 3 – B Coy
Anti-Tank Platoon in BATUS
In 2015 the Javelin Platoon spent 4 months in BATUS playing OPFOR. 2016 saw a return as exercising troops for both Exercise PRAIRIE STORM 1 and then, after a swift unit move back to the UK, on Exercise PRAIRIE STORM 3 as well.
Ever ready to exploit an opportunity, a 24 hour stand down period saw Ri emen escape to Calgary, Medicine Hat and Banff in order to explore Canada before the Exercise started. Thereafter it was all hands to the pump to ready the vehicles and integrate the ‘armoured Tigers’ from 1 PWRR into a fully functioning mixed platoon.
Our biggest test was the Tactical Engagement Simulator phase. Once we started, the operators performed to their hard-earned good reputation, acquiring and prosecuting targets out to 2.5km. The men revelled in being Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance soldiers able to talk to anyone from Recce, Snipers or a Fire Support Team to co-or-
dinate their own movement when required. Working as an amalgamated Platoon had its challenges. Working as part of the QRH Battlegroup we had lots to prove but all rose to the occasion and consequently the QRH Battlegroup were very receptive. We de nitely had the home advantage on Exercise PRAIRIE STORM 3 and the mixed Platoon proved they were all ‘chosen men’, producing a strong performance.
Capt Jack Lister, OC Anti-Tank Platoon
Javelin Platoon on the Prairie
100 FIFTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES