Page 34 - 4RA 2021-2023

In June of 2022, 88 (Arracan) Battery (“the Rednecks”) was activated from readi- ness with orders to deploy to Estonia
on Op CABRIT in support of the 2 RIFLES Battlegroup. The six-month deployment was a success, both demonstrating readi- ness capability and developing the light gun employment concept, alongside pro- viding support to the Battlegroup and to NATO partner forces.
As part of a contingent force, over the last three years 4 RA have been held at gradu- ating states of readiness in support of the British Army’s Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). For 2021, 88 Battery (Bty) was held at 30 days “Notice to Move” (NTM). On 1 January 2022 as part of a planned rota- tion this state of readiness was increased to just 10 days NTM. By late January 2022, in response to the mounting threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK short- ened the readiness of the JEF Lt Inf Bn (2 RIFLES and 88 Bty) to 5 days NTM to provide rapid response options. Through- out Spring 2022, NATO took steps to deter further Russian aggression and bolstered the existing Baltic, Polish and Romanian Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP). As
88 Battery soldiers during an in-Theatre exercise
part of this, the UK activated 2 RIFLES BG and 88 Bty to deploy to Estonia on Op CABRIT.
Op CABRIT has been an enduring com- mitment for the UK Armed Forces since 2017, with a minimum of one Armoured or Armoured Infantry BG deployed at all times as part of 1st Estonian Brigade and NATO eFP. In contrast to most CABRIT deployments, on this iteration the 2 RIFLES BG formed an Agile Task Force (ATF): a light role, expeditious organisa- tion, intended to move rapidly to any point of need across the Baltics. The speed of deployment and the need to preserve a
flexible force meant that the Battlegroup’s mission and plan was loosely defined and afforded considerable freedom to oper- ate across the region. To focus the force, 88 Bty executed a campaign plan with the unifying purpose of preparing for potential warfighting operations, and an underlying
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
EX SUNDERLAND DAGGER 22.1 Lt Harry Fox RA
In February 2023, it was essential to conduct a Currency and Competency- focused live firing camp for the Regi-
ment’s Tac Groups in order to maintain our preparedness for deployments. The task of supporting this firing camp fell to 88 Battery, almost immediately after returning from POTL after Op CABRIT 10.5. The Gun Group therefore deployed to Otterburn Training Area for Exercise SUNDERLAND DAGGER 22.1 which saw the Fire Support Teams (FST) con- ducting a range of missions on various attack lanes.
Beyond merely achieving the C&C live mission objectives, the aim of the exer- cise was to test the mental and physi- cal robustness of the FSTs by simulat- ing arduous attack lanes that combined both offensive and defensive fires. In practice this saw the FST Commander separated from their team and attached to the Manoeuvre Arm Commander (played by Maj Alex Davis, BC 88 Bty and OIC Practice), who was fighting a rapidly advancing battle. The result was multiple successful missions being con- ducted in the day and night alongside slick fireplans designed to fully test the
Tac Groups to something near their lim- its. FSTs from 4/73 (Sphinx) Special OPs Battery also joined the exercise.
With a large ammunition allocation of over four thousand rounds, excellent training was conducted at both front and gun ends, with available ammuni- tion sufficient to accurately simulate firing war stock levels of ammunition. This enabled the both the Gun Group and FST to fully understand and realise the frictions posed by dealing with high rates of fire and a high tempo battle.
Op CABRIT 10.5 (88 Bty) Capt Erin O’Loughnane RA
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88 Battery PNCO and JNCO Directing Staff during the ALDP course final exercise
88 Battery soldiers on exercise with comrades from 2 RIFLES Battlegroup and from NATO partner forces
Soldiers in 88 Battery after their final attack on the ALDP course
The Rednecks’ trademark cheerfulness on full display