Page 44 - ABA Salvoes 1999-2024

OPERATION TELIC AL-FAW TO ABU-AL-KASIB
By Capt Ash Wiseman RA (Fire Support Team One)
After spending four days at tactical assembly area Viking, being sand blasted from every direction and living in shell scrapes (with the added joy of Scud attacks and donning of respirators), the team finally received a full compliment of weapons and a final test fire was carried out. Once the CW protection programme had started it was clear to all that the countdown had begun and the day of the insert was clearly imminent. At last light we moved into our pre- assault positions and waited for the Sea Stallions (CH53) to arrive. After a shot of whisky, and one final equipment check, we were off. Some 40 minutes later, and some serious soul searching and Chinook dodging, the team had re-grouped on the target oil pipeline under a hail of chaff, flares and ricochets. Having moved to our target building, which was easily identified with the ambient light, our OP and comms were established, and relevant sitreps sent. The remainder of the night was spent manning the nets and observing our arcs. Sporadic tracer fire could be seen throughout the night from other call signs to our northwest. A total of 13 POWs and 2 dead Iraqi soldiers were collected during this time and moved to the building beside us.
At first light the first call for fire was sent to HMAS ANZAC and we began adjusting HE onto the military installation. Subsequently the remaining three gun ships were all adjusted onto a series of targets within arcs. Shortly after the initial salvoes began landing, muzzle flashes were observed from the location of the military installation and the direct fire weapon systems from our RM Commando began engaging opportunity targets. This continued throughout the day, with pockets of enemy surfacing from the bunker complexes. On several occasions our MFC was called upon to suppress targets whilst NGS was used to re- fire on pre-recorded targets. By first light the following day, 8 Bty had established on the Al-Faw and were ready to support the clearance operation by D Coy. Due to our positioning and arcs we were called upon to conduct the first observed artillery mission of the war. Having fired 8 Bty at FFE we then re-fired HMS MARLBOROUGH onto the enemy position, once again neutralising the target area. No further movement was observed until later that afternoon, when a number of unmarked civilian vehicles entered the military complex and began collecting weapons and ammunition from buildings and bunkers. With CAS on call and four gun ships on station, we waited for clearance to engage the enemy once again. A series of buildings and bunkers were destroyed by 2 x 500lb Mk 84 Laser Guided Bombs and further damage inflicted by a 1000lb JDAM. The fire-plan concluded with 10 salvos FFE from HMS MARLBOROUGH, with target rounds on
the main enemy concentration. Immediately afterwards white flags were seen throughout the complex.
The D Coy clearance south continued for the remainder of the day, supported by our anchor OP. With the Al- Faw Peninsula secured, the team re- grouped with the Brigade Recce Force for a clearance operation from Al Faw northwest to the outskirts of Abu Al Qasib (AAQ). During this time we acted as a link to the QDG who were supporting our move, giving us a much greater ‘reach’ and allowing a more rapid move across the flat featureless terrain. Low level intelligence was gathered by the teams as we moved north, most of which suggested that all enemy within the Al-Faw area had retreated north to the vicinity of AAQ and Basra, where they were re-grouping. On the night of 27 Mar the Brigade Recce Force group conducted a raid on a possible enemy stronghold to the south of AAQ. Whilst extremely successful and serving as an excellent opportunity to combine mortars, artillery and direct fire weapon systems in a mobile attack at night, the reports of enemy within the area were unsubstantiated.
At 0030 hrs on Sat 29th we found ourselves lined up awaiting confirmation from both 7 and 8 Btys that they were ready on their respective fire plans prior to commencing a clearance and blocking operation as a precursor to the Commando Group attack on AAQ. Our phase of the Op went completely to plan. It was during this time that the forward element of 40 Cdo RM received incoming fire whilst waiting on their start line. After major confusion on the net it became apparent that an FOO and MFC group had all become casualties. We immediately offered our assistance and within minutes had arrived at a very shell shocked B Coy. Following a hot brief from the OC, the team dismounted and crossed the start line with the Coy. A systematic clearance from south to north through the town was then conducted with constant harassment by sporadic enemy sniper fire, and nuisance minefields. Acutely aware of the collateral damage on the civilian population, we made maximum use of direct fire systems throughout the clearance. Having re-grouped with our vehicles, we were able to provide the Coy, who were all on foot, with a mobile QRF as the light began to fade, and with the clearance complete we acted as a mobile escort for the Coy to withdraw to a fire support base for the night. This was to be our patrol base for the next 2 days, during which period we continued to act as a QRF for the Coy. Following further orders to re-group with BRF, a road move under the cloak of darkness ensured a safe transit to AZP naval base where we remained for a short period of refurbishment.
42 | Amphibious Bombardment Association