Page 25 - Bugle Spring 2023

4 RANGER
PROJECT
CONVERGENCE
B Company have been on the first ‘License to Operate’ (LTO) cycle since September, focusing on experimentation and capability development. We have been understanding the gaps in our capability, developing long term innovative solutions and sharing best practice with the US Green Berets. During the autumn, members of the company were given the opportunity to deploy to California on Project CONVERGENCE 2022 (PC22) an exercise designed to trial, test, and develop technologies, capabilities, and methods
of operating likely to be used in the ‘future fight’ – all towards genuine multi-domain warfare.
We were part of a wider UK contingent, which consisted of 20 ABCT and elements of the Royal Signals, Royal Artillery and 2 YORKS, to name a few. The deployed Ranger team worked with two different US Special Operations Force (SOF) elements reporting to a larger US SOF HQ across two scenarios. The SOF element deployed into the ‘deep’ battlespace to locate and effect enemy locations, enabling large conventional formations to conduct offensive manoeuvre and subsequent actions.
The first scenario focused on the Indo- Pacific region. During this scenario, we worked alongside a platoon from the US 75th Ranger Regiment for the first time; the US equivalent to the UK’s SFSG. Scenario B focused on European peer-on-peer warfighting. This saw our Ranger team working with 7th SFG (A)
(Special Forces Group (Airborne)). During both scenarios communication interoperability with allies was a key focus area, our team trialled a number of different systems including mesh networks and DSA (Dismounted Situational Awareness) devices.
Being involved in the project enabled the Ranger team to focus on our contribution
to a conventional force’s role in large scale combat operations and how irregular warfare specialists and partner forces can add value more widely. Three main takeaways were highlighted when working at-reach, in small teams, in the enablement of large formations. First, the importance of robust and innovative communications which can turn the partner force into a proxy sensor whilst simultaneously resist enemy jamming and reduce signature. Secondly, comfort in mission command – critical when faced with poor comms and incomplete information. Finally, the increased sustainment demands when operating at reach without ready access to aviation and specialists: this was particularly apparent in medical care and equipment support.
The Ranger team have taken away a lot of lessons during PC22. B Coy will look to continue to develop the Ranger concept of employment for the rest of the LTO Cycle and put it into practice as they move into the Training Cycle in April 23.
CSjt Alex Francis
Team Commander
Members of 4 RANGER establish a stand-off OP to locate the target
we worked alongside a platoon from the US 75th Ranger
Regiment for the first time; the US equivalent to the UK’s SFSG
Ranger team move onto a CH-47 to start their infiltration
RIFLES The Bugle 25