Page 32 - 1RHA 2022

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
BBty deployed on Ex IRON STORM 22 (Ex IS22) in support of the 1 MERCIAN BG. Ex IS22 is a validation exercise for armoured BGs and is the current replacement for training
in BATUS. This was the first iteration of the exercise that 1 RHA has deployed exercising troops on, though B Bty had been part of Task Force Hannibal during Ex IS21. Ex IS22 was split into three phases. The first, a Combined Simulated Staff Trainer Exercise (CSTTX) took place in Germany from 25 Apr – 7 May. The second phase, a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX), was con- ducted at Castle Martin Ranges (CMR) from 30 May – 26 Jun 22. Finally, the exercise was concluded with a Force-on-Force Train- ing Exercise (FTX) on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) from 2-15 Jul 22. The exercise provided ample opportunity for the Bty to practice armoured artillery warfare in a combined arms con- text, especially relevant against the backdrop of current events in Europe.
The CSTTX in Germany provided a soft run in for the Bty to oper- ate with the BG. FSTs from B Bty and A Bty (The Chestnut Troop) were attached to A Company (The Grenadiers) of 1 Mercian, Z Coy 1 Fusiliers and D Sqn, Queens Royal Hussars. This involved a series of simulated BG actions taking place in an increasingly complex exercise scenario. Each day was concluded with an in- depth after-action review which offered significant insight into the day’s highs and lows. Throughout the week the BG began to draw together as frictions were worked out. The synthetic trainer allows directing staff to observe and play back the actions in slow time and in detail. Exposing the various mistakes and learning points can be a painful process but is without doubt incred- ibly beneficial. The attitude of the recipients to this feedback is essential for progressive development. Incredibly useful for the Tac Grps, who have little to no formal education on armoured warfare outside of their experience, it offered a space to learn and develop. Importantly it was the first opportunity for integration with the manoeuvre arms in which to start building the relation- ships that would last throughout the overarching exercise. The trip wasn’t without its perks though, as the Tac Grp conducted the obligatory night out in Paderborn, mercifully with no issues.
On return from Germany the Bty complete deployed to CMR, Wales for the CALFEX. Phase 2 was split into two identical rota- tions to make best use of the training estate, with supporting arms and tanks deployed throughout. The fist cycle saw A Coy, 1 Merc conduct the training cycle with Z Coy taking the second. Each rotation involved an element of Special to Arm Training. For the Tac Group this involved TQCC training which was conducted in the sand dunes to the north of the training area. With beauti- ful views the OPs went through the mandatory missions to gain the tick in the box to progress onto firing with live troops. Last
safe moment (LSM) shoots were practiced before the introduc- tion of other troops, which for me involved driving towards a live and targeted impact area whilst praying my friends in the anchor OP still liked me enough to call LSM. The tactical phase of each rotation involved four days of scenario, including obstacle cross- ings, dismounted clearing of objectives, advanced to contacts and deliberate actions. Whilst somewhat staged, owing to the safety constraints, it was invaluable time on tracks in a combined arms context. Additionally, the TQCC missions were the first live rounds fired for some time. The second rotation allowed the Bty to put the lessons learned from ROTO 1 into practice. Excitingly the gun group conducted two live gun raids during the CALFEX. Happily, the weather was favourable for most of the phase. This made the maintenance days more enjoyable and the clothes flut- tering dry on makeshift clotheslines were a pleasant domestic sight amongst the armour of the Bty, much to the consternation of the BSM.
The final phase of the exercise on SPTA saw the 1 MERCIAN BG take on TF Hannibal through a series of actions lasting two weeks. By far the most dynamic aspect of the exercise, the tempo was intense. The construct of the exercise saw FF move from east to west across the plain, witch much of the conflict revolving around obstacles in the centre of the training area. FSTs were moved dynamically across the battlefield, moving from call sign to call sign to deliver OS where it was most needed. The exer- cise ranged from the rural to the urban, with the requirement for dismounting to clear Imber and Copehilldown villages. Ex IS22 included both offensive and defensive elements to the exercise. Fundamentally it offered a crucial learning opportunity. Employ- ing the skills of armoured manoeuvre warfare against a live enemy tests the system and highlights areas for development.
Training opportunities like Ex IS22 are vital ground for armoured artillery regiments. It is the most relevant training environment for preparation for our core role and should therefore be the focal point of our training pipelines. Arriving on these combined arms exercises in a position to perform, rather than learn, is essential. Our manoeuvre counterparts are totally invested in delivering their core outputs, we cannot afford not to be either. The exer- cise highlighted a gap in our training pipeline; there is no formal education on armoured manoeuvre warfare and the application of fires within it. Nor does TQCC prepare armoured FSTs for sup- porting a dynamic and moving battle. Perhaps it is not designed to, but if we want to establish a credible reputation with the teeth arms the Royal Regiment needs to rethink how it prepares peo- ple for the armoured battle. It is simply not enough to leave this up to individual regiments to pick up the slack.
Ex IRON STORM 22 Capt T Vincent RHA
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