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nario, depending on the level of training achieved and therefore allows everyone to test and adjust their own planning and tactics, techniques and procedures, prior to moving on to the frictions of vehicle availability and drivers’ hours in the real world.
Phase 2 of the exercise saw B Battery complete deploy to Cas- tlemartin ranges for 5 weeks. As the British Army has tried to identify a range location to replace the facility in BATUS, Canada, the ranges at Castlemartin have undergone significant changes recently. Although this facility will never be large enough to offer what was provided in Canada, it did allow B Battery the oppor- tunity to complete 5 weeks of live firing, supporting the manoeu- vre arm in tactical situations and offered a good chance to see live weapon effects. With a significant safety wrap, these serials are deliberate in nature but are designed so that at crew level, they feel like a free playing exercise. 5 weeks working from the vehicles and working every day in progressively larger teams and formations allowed the Tac group a great opportunity to integrate with their new Battlegroup, whilst also allowing the Gun Group the opportunity to refine what they had learnt on SPTA in a more tactical environment.
Phase 3, the final phase, was an opportunity for us to bring all that we had learnt so far together using the TES equipment. Described as ‘the ultimate game of laser tag,’ the TES equipment allows most weapon systems to be deployed on the battlefield in a simulated manner, against a live Opposition Force. Unsur- prisingly, no one ever wants to lose, particularly when you get pitted against other units. The TES phase allows the Battlegroup to come up with a plan, and then execute it against an oppo- sition which will react accordingly. Rightly so, this is the most challenging phase and tests the ideas, deductions and decisions made in the planning phase, along with the induvial and crew skills and drills. Win or lose, you end up as a better soldier, crew and sub-unit having gone through this process. For information about Exercise IRON STORM, there is an article later in the jour- nal focused on it.
For many years now it has been clear that modern weapon sys- tems, coupled with modern technologies and sensors are chang- ing the way that armies choose to fight. Whilst some trends remain enduring, the conflict and wars in Ukraine, along with the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, are making armies think about
Gnr Brooks and the Army Offshore Racing Team competing in the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Round Britain and Ireland Race 2022
how they could, should or would fight. With this in mind, B Bat- tery have been at the forefront of facilitating some of this thinking for the Regiment, and 1 Arty Brigade. This year B Battery planned and hosted an Urban Fires Conference, which aimed to have a frank and honest discussion about how we should fight and con- sider the urban environment. With an international speaker cast, almost all regiments in the Gunners represented, it was a great session of education and discussion. The output was the Royal Artillery’s input into the Army’s new urban doctrine update and a detailed review can be found later in this journal.
Chequered Challenges are B Battery’s effort to ensure every year, every member of the Battery tries something physical that they would not have normally tried. So far this year we have had a team complete the 3 Peaks challenge in under 24 hours and we have participated as a group in the Million Mile Beach clean – a
1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
The B Bty Tac Gp conducting TQCC shoots overseen by Collective Training Group and supported by the B Bty Gun Group
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