Page 16 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

2 RIFLES
I COMPANY INTEGRATION ON EX ASKARI STORM
The 2 RIFLES Battle Group on Ex ASKARI STORM enjoyed the benefits of a well- integrated Intelligence Surveillance Targeting and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Screen. If a Battlegroup hopes to advance with fingerspitzengefühl (fingertip feel) to find the enemy’s weaknesses, then
the ISTAR Screen are the fingertips doing that feeling. Observer Mentors regularly commented on the professionalism and efficiency of these fingertips, and the ease with which the main fist of the Battle Group was led onto its objectives.
The screen was made up of Recce, Javelin and Sniper Platoons with MFCs and FSTs attached. Machine Gun sections were also deployed, mission dependant. The success
of the screen on this exercise was primarily borne on the shoulders of the Riflemen who tabbed around the Kenyan bush with heavy kit, successfully finding the enemy well ahead of the arrival of the main body. Behind that hard graft and professionalism at the tactical level, lay a significant amount of groundwork which set the ISTAR group up for success.
A large part of this was enabled in the
wet and midge-infested moors of Otterburn Training Area, months before deployment to Kenya. In early 2021 I Company conducted platoon cadres, training and qualifying new members of their platoons in their specialist craft. Two weeks later, the Company deployed to Otterburn to conduct Ex ISTAR SWORD – with all the ISTAR elements coming together for the first time to create a working ‘screen.’ This exercise not only served to standardise and familiarise everyone with how to
work together, but it also instilled a sense of cooperation and camaraderie across I Company.
In Kenya the procedures, camaraderie
and cooperation already developed proved invaluable. The closeness meant the screen could dynamically re-ORBAT to suit specific missions. MFCs were surged to wherever they were needed most, most often with two pairs working in the screen and one with the lead Company. Integration was greatly aided by
an ISTAR net, controlled by the OC ISTAR and ISTAR WO - this net provided great situational awareness.
The ISTAR integration was also aided by
The success of the screen on this exercise was primarily borne
on the shoulders of the Riflemen
Battlegroup HQ’s use of four-hour planning cycles (rather than 12 hours). This meant OC Recce, Snipers, Machine Guns and Javelin were involved in planning and shaping the plan to ensure their specialist assets were put to best use. The time saved by rapid planning cycles meant commanders left
with a full understanding of the Battlespace Management trace. All of this meant the ISTAR screen had a greater than normal level of situational awareness, and ability to influence the plan.
The ISTAR screen was not perfect,
there is always room for improvement. For example, we were lacking in the integration of surveillance assets (Desert Hawks). Hampered by bad weather and equipment failures early in the exercise, the lack of UAV support was noticeable. UAVs will provide
a huge capability for light role battlegroups going forward and it is an area that 2 RIFLES Battlegroup will look to exploit on future exercises.
Capt Gregan
I Coy, 2 RIFLES
A victorious I Coy pose for a photo at the end of Ex ASKARI STORM
16 RIFLES The Bugle