Page 29 - The Wish Stream Year of 2021 (Crest)

Exercise CHURCHILL’S CHALLENGE
Back in January, Gaza Company deployed on Ex CHURCHILL’S CHALLENGE in Caer- went Training Area, South Wales. Our first
urban, counter insurgency-based exercise, we would no longer be battling the Zabzimek hoards in the open, but rather conducting a stabilisation operation in the heart of Gorgas, to root out the enemy within. Operating from inside a Forward Operating Base proved a refreshing change from our previous stints in platoon harbours and trenches. Whilst we all missed the fresh air and earthiness of our previous accommodations, nobody was heard to complain too much.
For myself, the highlight of the exercise was the opportunity to take on the role of Company Intel- ligence Officer (IO). This offered me the chance not only to escape bod life without actually having to command anyone, but also to gain a first insight into intelligence work in the field. As a cadet commissioning into the Intelligence Corps, this was invaluable. As IO, I played an integral role in the Ops room, working closely alongside the Company 2IC to shape and direct the Company’s efforts. I built the J2 picture by creating intelligence collection plans and utilis- ing the Company’s organic resources. Outgo- ing patrols were briefed on what I needed from them; what to look out for on the ground, ques- tions to ask civilians or CPERs, key pieces of evi- dence which they might encounter and need to collect. On their return I conducted hot-debriefs with the commanders: what had they managed to ascertain? What was their opinion on it? Tired and wet as they often were, it was important to get this information from them immediately, while everything was fresh in their minds. These ses- sions produced reports and patrol traces which, when added to the Intelligence map, quickly built a solid J2 picture.
I also conducted Key Leader Engagements, meeting with important figures in the local com- munity in my capacity as both a military ambas- sador and, of course, tacit intelligence gatherer. These interviews required me to balance reas- surance and reinforcement of the NATO mission with subtly probing questions designed to find out more about the local situation. These local leaders (who, for Gorgan Caucasus natives, bore an uncanny resemblance to members of the Royal Irish Regiment) gave nothing up will- ingly, but persistence revealed a few key pieces of intelligence. Unfamiliar faces had been seen in certain areas, carrying weapons, and acting suspiciously...
All of this fed into my growing Intelligence pic- ture, and soon we were identifying areas of enemy concentration and specific buildings to strike. To aid my fledgling efforts, an Intelligence Corps Warrant Officer dropped in for a few hours. Scanning an experienced eye over my enthusiastic but no doubt clumsy work, he gave me a few invaluable titbits of advice: the proper way to identify key questions and to track how we were working to answer them; the approved method for tracking important individuals and how to apply the intelligence gathering cycle in real time. By this stage, the situation seemed to be developing organically and was genuinely engrossing.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. My sleepless 18 hours in role were over, and, after handing the reins to my successor, I found myself a private soldier once more... and was soon snoring, ensconced in my sleeping bag. There is always a silver lining.
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