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Force entering the AOA an Advance Force operation was mounted to raid the airfield. D Sqn 22 SAS, along with Capt Chris Brown’s FST constituted the Advance Force which was inserted by aviation from naval shipping. Having covertly inserted to the target area and placing explosive charges to destroy the aircraft, HMS Glamorgan engaged with its 4.5 inch guns destroying the ammunition and fuel storage facilities. The result significantly degraded the Argentinian air capability and information flow and so undoubtedly prevented many more naval ships being destroyed. Later in the same campaign, the amphibious landing at San Carlos Water was threatened by what was colloquially termed the ‘Fanning Head Mob’. This company sized Argentinian position had moved into a headland overlooking the approaches to San Carlos Water prior to the proposed D-Day preventing the safe passage of the Task Force and its ability to secure a beachhead. It was assessed that from its position the enemy could easily sink or damage a ship using its recoilless rifle. For the landing to be successfully achieved, the enemy position had to be destroyed prior to the Task Force entering San Carlos Water and landing its troops. Failure to achieve this would have been disastrous to the whole campaign. This time, a Pre-Landing Force of a reinforced section of SBS with a 148 Battery FST attached was tasked to insert covertly to the area by small inflatable craft and attack the enemy position prior to H-Hr. As a result of the heavy NGS bombardment and the patrols organic machine guns the enemy position was destroyed either surrendering or fleeing in despair enabling the safe landing of the Task Force.
Joint Action as a Task Force. 3 Cdo Bdy RM is unique in that it operates primarily in the land environment but is delivered by the Maritime Component. Most important, it is likely to deploy, particularly in the initial stages of an operation, without the support of a divisional HQ. It is therefore structured to incorporate some of the divisional functions within its own brigade construct. The formation of 30 IX Cdo RM in 2010 provides the Brigade Commander with strategic level situational awareness, allowing precision information to enable precision decision making. With the organic ability to deliver Information
Activities, Cyber and Joint Fires the Lead Commando Group is capable of conducting Full Spectrum Targeting (FSpecT) which under brigade nomenclature is classified under ‘Joint Action’ (the orchestration of Information Activities and Outreach, Fires, and Manoeuvre). As the fires pillar in the Advance / Pre-Landing Force, 148 Battery has a central role in all phases of the Targeting Cycle (Decide – Detect and Track – Deliver – Assess). The Brigade Targeting Cell drives the Joint Activity Matrix (JAM) to prioritize effects and ensure they are resourced appropriately across the pillars of Joint Action. With Brigade J2, the JAM is developed continually to ensure the Commander’s intent remains accurately informed and resourced accordingly. This conforms to deliberate targeting protocols (routine target approvals boards to support the target development process) whilst retaining the legal capacity to FINISH dynamic targets. Through linking the kinetic targeting activity of 148 Battery under HQ 30 IX Cdo RM achieves the principles of Joint Targeting (Objective-based, Effects driven, Multi- disciplinary, Timeliness, Centrally Controlled and Coordinated) through the fusion of all Fires and Influence Activity. This includes the delivery of soft effects not usually resourced at the one star level. Targeting is fundamental to the Battery’s role within 30 IX Cdo RM and is achieved through the provision of trained Targeting and joint fires personnel, qualified to conduct / inform deliberate targeting by the Amphibious Task Force.
Summary - Storm from the Sea. The role of 148 Battery is no longer solely about amphibious landings; this is about maritime and littoral power projection where the threat of the landing is more valuable than the landing itself and the use of Advanced Force Operations might constitute the decisive phase of the action with the levers of influence being information operations and Fires rather than ground manoeuvre. This is why 148 Battery continues to play a key role in the capabilities offered by the Lead Commando Group and the generation of their skills forms the centre of gravity for 29 Commando Regiment. It is a truly unique, challenging and exciting role and part of the wide range of capabilities offered by the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
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