Page 53 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

Cold Weather Instructors Course
Sgt Tivey
When the opportunity came to go to Norway to do the Army Cold Weather Warfare Instructor’s Course, I snapped it up. Norway is a place we do not often get to
go to in the Army and
it seemed like a good
opportunity. The course
was in two phases, the
first phase was 10 days
in Capel Curig, Wales.
Phase two consisted of
5 weeks in Burdufoss,
Norway.
I arrived in Capel Curig and after spending the last 3 months in Cyprus - the weather was notably different in Wales. It started with the Royal Marines (RM) taking us through briefs on mountain safety and how to use all the cold weather kit. The
kit used was the Hilgenberg tent, Colman lamps, cookers with fuel canisters, HF radio per section, safety rope used for abseiling and cliff assault ladders. On day 3 of the course we started the first mountain march, and every other day we went up the 5 biggest peaks of Snowdon. This was a great opportunity to improve fitness as the kit was alot heavier than I was used to; cold weather bergens are heavy and on the final day we finished with a military skills competition. There were about 60 people from across the Army as well as the same number of Royal Marines.
For phase 2, we arrived at a snow-filled airport, 200 miles inside the arctic circle at Burdufoss - a Norwegian military camp. It was a shock to the system. As soon as you stepped off the plane you could feel the hairs on your nose freezing. It was at this point I realised the temperature during the day was -29°C. Once again, we began with safety briefs by the Mountain Leaders and revised how to use the cold weather kit. This time however, we went through how
to use snow shoes and how to ski cross county. This Phase was broken in to three parts: the mandatory cold weather warfare course, the tent group commander’s course and finally the tactical commander’s course.
Before I knew it, my bergan was on my back and we were deploying out on survival week, the first part of a three-week course. This was the first time we spent time living out in the extreme cold. The week began in tents then finished in us living in a Quincy, a 2-meter-high collection of snow with living space inside for 4 people. After the night
in a Quincy we went to a fresh water lake
to go through breaking through ice drills. Movement week soon followed which involved a lot of skiing and how to set up cold weather harbours. Week 3 was a condensed final exercise which summarised the training so far and culminated with a final attack.
The tent group commander’s week was a ‘teach back’ week. We would revise all the cold weather kit again in detail and deliver
a lesson to our peers. On the last night we spent a night in the field and completed
all the final teach backs. This was a week where we received the qualifications
As soon as you stepped off the plane you could feel the hairs on your nose freezing
was around -30°C. By March, the day had gotten longer, and the temperature rose to the point the snow started to melt and go to slush. This made administration even harder. By the end, I was grateful to be flying back to the warmth of Cyprus.
to teach back cold weather kit.
The last phase was the tactical adviser’s course. This was another week of teaching and finished with a 3-night exercise. We would teach basic
Infantry lessons like cam and concealment in white shod environment. When we arrived at the end of January, there were roughly
4 hours of daylight and the temperature
Derbyshire ACF
Lt Davenport
C (Kohima) Company has its fair share of Derbyshire ACF alumni with both LCpl Lucic and Cpl Ring having attended the cadet force in their childhood. So, when the opportunity arose to assist in training the cadets on Ex APHRODITE’S EAGLE in Cyprus, C (Kohima) Company were happy to help.
Cyprus provides some unique and challenging terrain and the Paramali Village training complex is excellent to practice urban warfare. As a result, when the cadet instructors asked for 2 MERCIAN to assist
quick to learn and very enthusiastic. Mercian soldiers playing enemy for the day remarked at how well the cadets had picked up the drills and their professionalism throughout the day.
The training day culminated in a platoon attack on several buildings occupied by the enemy. Cadets were given command appointments as Section Commander and 2ICs and tasked with setting up a fire support location and bounding between cover. Although the temperature was increasing the cadets
in low-level Infantry training this became the natural choice to challenge the cadets.
The exercise began
as a lesson looking
at the complexities
and challenges the
urban environment
presents to soldiers.
Images of the conflict in Syria and
Iraq’s cities, Mosul and Raqqa with
the large-scale damage and collapsed infrastructure brought out questions on how movement, communication and guerrilla fighters might impede an Infantry Platoon in achieving their objective. The cadets responded well, individuals were nominated to stand up and speak with confidence in front of their peers on their findings.
Cpl Smith and Cpl Deal-Long
then presented the cadets with a demonstration on how an experienced Infantry Section will clear a building of enemy. This gave the cadets a good understanding of the importance of rehearsals and noise discipline.
When the cadets began going through their battle lanes, they were
remained focused and performed to a high standard.
When the cadets were asked how many were interested in pursuing a career in the Army 75% raised their hands. Not only for the Infantry but Engineers, Signals
and Intelligence. Having a role in low
level engagement is vital to showing those completing their GCSEs and A-Levels what the military has to offer. Speaking with serving soldiers and officers provides a first-hand account of the realities of military life, which has the capacity to enthuse and encourage those considering a career to take the first step.
When the cadets began going through their battle lanes, they were quick to learn
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
51