Page 25 - 4RA 2021-2023

4th Regiment Royal Artillery
dry Close Air Support with the Wildcats within a modern general warfare scenario. In summary, an incredible opportunity for both parties to increase the understanding of each other’s capabilities.
RAF Regt Anniversary charity event
Flt Lt France
Early 2022 saw six members from 97 Bty’s RAF Regt TACPs formulate a plan to both mark the 80th Anniversary of the forma- tion of the RAF Regt in Feb 1942, and also raise money for the MIND charity that supports people suffering with Mental Health issues. Following some debate and a sprinkling of SNCO rational thinking, the six personnel agreed to complete a collec- tive 194.2 mile Tactical Advance to Battle (TAB), each carrying Combat Equipment Marching Order weighing 30kg. The TAB set off at 0600 from the Sutton Bank car park heading west along the Cleveland Way. Two stops were factored in en route. The first was to allow everyone to pay their respects at the RAF Memorial for the crew of a Halifax Bomber, who sadly lost their lives in a crash on Hood Hill during their return flight from a bombing raid during WW2. The second stop took place at the memorial bench for LBdr Hatton, of 40th Regiment RA, who made the ultimate sac- rifice in 2009 while serving in Afghanistan. Citations were read by LCpl Worral and Cpl Gibson respectively, both followed by a minute’s silence. The route then con- tinued along B roads all the way back to Alanbrooke Barracks where the partici- pants then completed five (soul destroy- ing!) laps of the airfield to achieve their target distance in just under nine hours. The event raised £1854, smashing their ini- tial target of £1000, which made the sore feet and collective depletion of morale on lap number five of the airfield even more worthwhile.
Ex VINTAGE STRIKE
Ex SUNDERLAND DAGGER 22-23
Capt Hebblewhite
Due to 88 Btys quick deployment on Op CABRIT in summer 2022, the regimental exercise that year saw a significant reduc- tion in scale. After some initial TQCC and dismounted LFTT, 97 Bty used this opportunity to conduct a rigorous training regime to increase their Mounted Close Combat skills within role. This saw the Battery initially conduct the first mounted ranges 4RA had seen in living memory. We then transitioned down to Broughton Sands to conduct a mobility cadre with the Scots DG. The dunes, sand, and varying slopes created the perfect environment to really test our vehicle crews in a tactical scenario. The BCS included Troop move- ment, recovery, and night driving, some of which had a competitive element. We ultimately left our colleagues in A Sqn, Scots DG with a begrudging and surprised respect for our mounted capability. The final component saw us deploy to Salis- bury Plain; here we increased the com- plexity of our mounted activity. To really understand the light cavalry Squadrons we support, the Battery reorganised itself as a light cavalry troop. Under the direc- tion of their resident cuckoo cavalry officer, Capt Hebblewhite, the Battery conducted mounted OPs, troop advances and many, many, navigational exercises. This activity set the conditions to demonstrate our new familiarity with the JACKAL platform.
Ex SUNDERLAND DAGGER 23 saw the return of 88 Battery from Op CABRIT and so a regimental level deployment to Otter- burn training area was now possible. 97 Battery FST parties completed TQCC and were able to make use of a large portion of the ammunition also left over from Ex SUNDERLAND DAGGER 22’s allocation, leading to great weights of fire and some of the largest single salvos seen in the UK for a significant period. The volume of ammunition also meant that it was the first opportunity to control live fire for jun-
ior qualified members of the Tac Group as well as to experience the daily life of the Gun Group as they mucked in with break- ing down ammunition. The completion of technical firing has meant that 97 Tac Group is well placed to continue to deploy around the world over the next 12 months and support the Royal Scot’s Dragoon Guards for VJTF(L) 24.
Ex TERMINAL STRIKE/ RAF JTAC Recruitment
LCpl Worrall
The 3/29 Bty and 88 Bty RAF Regt TACPs visited RAF Lossiemouth in July 2022 to take part in both Ex TERMINAL STRIKE, a pan-regimental JTAC currency exercise, and Ex TEMPO CHEETA, a force devel- opment event. Whilst attending JTAC currency ranges, the TACP conducted a recruitment drive with 51 Sqn RAF Regt and received a hugely beneficial capabili- ties brief from 1 Sqn, who operate FGR4 Typhoon. Once the main effort was com- plete, the TACP found time to attend a cul- tural visit at a whiskey distillery, learning about the history of whiskey on the river Spey, and conducting a team building event on a go-karting circuit.
Ex VINTAGE STRIKE 22
Flt Lt Reid
In July 2022, Flt Lt Reid, Capt Hebblewhite and Sgt Clifton attended Ex VINTAGE STRIKE, a JTAC currency and competency exercise working out of Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Base in Nevada, USA. They worked alongside US Marine JTACs, uti- lising USAF A10 Thunderbolts, F16, F35A and AH-1 Cobras to deliver bombs, rockets and gun strafe on a dynamic 360-degree Air Range in the baking heat of the Sono- ran desert.
Ex TEMPO THUNDER
Capt Hebblewhite
Ex TEMPO THUNDER is James (Air) Troop’s two-week, biannual JTAC train- ing exercise to Georgia (USA). The strict
Jackal training at Broughton Sands
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