Page 46 - Mercian Eagle 2016

44
confidence that if we ever got into trouble, having the Leopard 2 tank by your side is a significant force multiplier!
We also got to see the Spanish
engineers establish a significant river crossing for the Battlegroup to cross,
and witnessed their EOD and Demolition capability which allowed the Battlegroup
to continue their attack. Their competence and quality of equipment was impressive. KOHIMA Company got a chance to work with the Spanish for the day and had a look at all their kit and also got to understand some of their tactics. They also met some of the Spanish soldiers who were really good blokes. The British contingent were really impressed with the overall professionalism of the Spanish Army and how up to date their kit was.
Finally, we got the chance to work with the Canadians for an Operations in
Members of 7 Pl posing with a Spanish Engineering vehicle
a Built Up Area (OBUA) day which was great, we saw how they moved through buildings with ease and how their casavac system worked. We had a final Battlegroup attack which includued having Canadians attached to the sections, it was hard at first considering they spoke little English but
Members of 7 Pl during the OBUA phase of Exercise ANAKONDA
both nations enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. It was good to see the blokes work with women in the Infantry like the Canadians which the British will have to get used to following the recent announcement that from 2017 females will be allowed to serve in the Infantry.
during his recce in July! The first night was spent at a pleasant Golf Course Hotel and we had the pleasure of having our own quality room with excellent meals which was a welcome bonus and not something I have experienced during previous STTTs! The next morning the team checked out of relative luxury and headed north by road to Singo Training Camp, the trip was chaos thanks to Kampala’s rush hour traffic and the short distance journey took two and a half hours.
We were operating daily from a secure Marine base with tented accomodation, complete with hot showers. The camp also had local chefs who never failed to surprise us with a mix of traditional African and English food. Throughout week one, the STTT delivered a week of Urban
and Rural operation lessons which were followed by a teach back lesson during the second week. The training concept was focused on; working and operating from FOBs, Patrolling, Medical lessons, VCP drills including Personnel and Vehicle
Training the Ugandan Peoples Defence Force (UPDF)
Sgt Kauleta, 8 Pl Sgt, KOHIMA Coy, 2 MERCIAN
Deploying as part of the 2 MERCIAN led Short Term Training Team (STTT) to Uganda was a great experience, STTTs have always been something I have loved to be involved in throughout my Army career. For those that are unaware of this particular STTT and its purpose; it involves supporting the UN Mission to Somalia by providing training for African Forces like the Ugandan Peoples Defence Force (UPDF), with the help of a multinational training team aimed to fight Al Shabaab (AS) and restoring stability to the people of Somalia.
Prior to deployment, the whole training team was involved in a build up training in camp run by Capt Nicholls who was the OC for delivering the two weeks Urban and Rural Course. This included; Pistol ACMT, Kenya driving matrix, lesson planning and delivery, various G1 preparation including ISO Prep forms and medical/health insurance cover which was mandatory for all those deploying.
It was an early start from Manchester Airport for the 10 hour journey to Uganda
It was an early start from Manchester Airport for the 10 hour journey to Uganda...
via Amsterdam. We deployed as a six
man team to Entebbe International Airport to conduct a two week Train The Trainer (TTT) package at Singo Training Centre. Coincidently, we caught up with the rest
of the training team from the Danish Army who were to deliver Counter IED training to the UPDF Engineers (EOD) at the airport. We arrived late at Entebbe and were greeted by British Peace Support Team that are based between Kenya and Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The trip from Entebbe to our hotel only took 30 mins but could have taken up to 2 hours during rush hour, as Capt Nicholls found at
Capt Paddy Nicholls trains members of the UPDF in Uganda Members of the UPDF deliver lessons during the Teach Back phase of the STTT
THE MERCIAN EAGLE