Page 13 - MERCIAN Eagle 2017

Ex LIGHTNING ACE 2
Ex LIGHTNING ACE 2 took place 4 – 26 Nov 17, and was one of the largest single ‘Sustainable Support to Experimentation’ (SSET) tasks given to 1 MERCIAN during its rotation. The aim of Ex LIGHTNING ACE 2 was to test the latest firmware for Bowman: BCIP version 5.6. To do this effectively,
12 Brigade deployed two battlegroups
into the field (1 SCOTS GUARDS (SG)
and ROYAL LANCERS (RL)) to do Tactical Engagement System (TES) battle against the opposing forces (OPFOR). The RL BG comprised just one squadron of formation reconnaissance troops in Scimitar CVR(T). 1 SG are a mechanised battalion equipped primarily with Mastiff patrol vehicles, and were bolstered by a company from the German Army Bundeswehr who came equipped with BOXER: an 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel
only genuine sub unit of armoured fighting vehicles, we knew there would be a lot expected of us. Not only did the exercise provide this focus for the whole Company to work towards, but the exercise itself provided plenty of training opportunities for us to exploit in order to ensure that by the final week when the missions were the hardest, we were at a standard to deliver.
The first couple of missions only needed 1 platoon. By engaging early with the Field Training Unit (FTU), we had secured training areas that we could use, which allowed
our second platoon the real estate and the track miles to train themselves in armoured low-level skills and drills. Once the missions became more complex and utilising the whole Company, there were still periods of ‘down time’, which were filled with our own
Clearing through Copehill Down Village, Salisbury Plain, November 2017
Salisbury Plain, it could not operate away from roads and the very best tracks. This made the units who used them, slow and/ or easy to predict, and highly vulnerable to being out manoeuvred by tracked armour. Seeing how effective and devastating WARRIOR can be when employed properly, certainly gave renewed enthusiasm to our crews.
Interestingly, in contrast, the German 8x8 wheeled BOXER, which is likely to be very similar in design to the future Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV), was very agile, and came close to the off-road performance of WARRIOR on all but the most challenging terrain. The arrival of MIV will be very welcome indeed to those units.
Ex LIGHTNING ACE 2 was a hugely successful exercise for A (Grenadier) Company. Not only did we help achieve the exercise’s principle aim of testing BOWMAN BCIP 5.6, but we were also able to conduct significant training of our own, gain excellent experience of fighting alongside different capabilities, enhance the Regiment’s reputation in two brigades, and prepare ourselves for our own training year in 2018.
carrier. OPFOR were provided by 1 Brigade with 1 MERCIAN providing A (Grenadier) Company with their WARRIORs to the 3 RIFLES BG.
‘In addition to the battlegroups physically deployed, there were three ‘virtual’ battlegroups deployed to increase radio data and voice traffic levels to properly test the new radio system’
training; for example, by executing sub unit drills en route to start locations. By deploying with the Company model kit, we were
still able to conduct conceptual training when our vehicles were not allowed to move due to exercise play.
By the end of the
last week, we were deploying on company- level missions as
part of a battlegroup, conducting clearances,
In addition to the
battlegroups physically
deployed, there
were three ‘virtual’
battlegroups deployed
to increase radio data
and voice traffic levels
to properly test the new
radio system. These
interacted with the 12 Brigade HQ in much the same way as 1 SG and the RL did, but without actual vehicles deployed.
advances to contact, and deliberate attacks. Given many of our vehicle commanders and their crew were brand new in role, this was pretty impressive. We had come a long way in a short time.
Many of the crew, especially the newly trained, were struck by just how effective WARRIOR is. Even those of us who have operated WARRIOR for many years, few had experience of working so closely with (and against) MASTIFF. MASTIFF is an exceptional vehicle for what it is designed for. But, on a wet, rolling and chalky
This exercise was a fantastic opportunity for A (Grenadier) Company. After a period of around six months where the Company had been split to provide support to three separate tasks given to the battalion,
Ex LIGHTNING ACE 2 provided a genuine focus for reforming the Company, and getting our armoured skills back up to scratch ahead of the exercise. The eyes of two brigades would be on us. And as the
Warriors preparing to deploy into Battle, Salisbury Plain, November 2017
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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