Page 91 - The Bugle Issue 12 Autumn 2016

Ex MAYAN WARRIOR
During the recent years of operations in Afghanistan combined with poor mapping makes navigation
Ex MAYAN WARRIOR
and Iraq, overseas exercises at the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) were taken out of the regular cycle for infantry units, however that has now changed. BATSUB is now fully opera- tional and offers a mixture of savannah, complex terrain and jungle warfare that challenges even the most experienced soldiers. The jungle is considered to be one of the most testing environments for a soldier to ply his or her trade and the opportunity to travel puts BATSUB at the top of every unit’s wish list. A Company was fortunate enough to receive this chance and deployed in late February to face this challenge.
In total the Company would spend just over a month in Belize and used the opportunity to simulate an operational deployment. Due to the unique nature of jungle warfare, the Company was joined by a team of Jungle Warfare Instructors (JWIs), headed by CSjt Bray. Having successfully deployed to Price Barracks, the Company prepared for the three major phases of the exercise.
Phase 1. This phase consisted of a round-robin circuit of platoon level training. The rst stand was focused around operating tactically in the jungle. Soldiers were able to hone their patrolling skills, whilst overcoming the challenges of jungle admin- istration. The isolation forced by the terrain meant Platoons had to use all skills available, from hand signals, specialist radio communications, contact drills and the nuances presented when attacking an enemy jungle camp. The second stand allowed soldiers to experience the realities of surviving in the jungle. Armed with their belt kit and hastily scribbled notes of how to make a re, the men were inserted into the jungle for four days. The realisation that Bear Grylls might have made it seem an easier task then it actually is was setting in very quickly. Having slept on the oor the majority built shelters, before the clockwork rumbling of stomachs saw them scavenge for food. Under the guidance of the local experts and the JWIs, the men managed to set traps and even caught a rattle snake! The third stand in the platoon training focused on tracking and navigation. The density of the jungle
vital to the success of any jungle-based operation. The ri emen stalked through the swamps and navigated around high features to complete a series of navigation exercises challenging even the most competent soldiers. These skills proved invaluable in the tracking challenges, which were delivered by the expert local trackers. The ability to track an enemy force, whilst disguising your own tracks, proved to be a vital tool and one that focused the Ri emen’s own low-level skills.
Phase 2. Having completed the rst phase, the Company moved onto Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT). The vast training estate of Belize gave oppor- tunities for LFTT that are rarely seen in the UK. The ri emen worked through various ranges to perfect their marksmanship in a close quarter environment. The introduction of instinctive shooting was a rst for many soldiers and prepared them for the jungle contact drills. The density of the jungle combined with a concealed enemy created a level of complexity that tested commanders and soldiers of all ranks. This culminated in a live- re camp attack, a mission that provides an element of confusion due to the nature of the terrain. The attacks were then followed by a gruelling casualty evacuation through the jungle terrain, which tested even the strongest characters.
Phase 3. Having completed the bulk of the training, the company moved into a nal exercise. This combined all of the skills learnt previously and climaxed with a Company night attack. The soldiers managed to successfully recce the positions and then in ltrated undetected. The enemy, led by WO2 Ireland, were literally caught sleeping and the element of surprise was indisputably the key to success.
Having completed the exercise and the ensuing preparations for redeployment, the ri emen had an opportunity to relax on the tropical islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker. For many this was their rst overseas trip and the islands did not disap- point. The entirety of A Company managed to learn a great deal during Exercise Mayan Warrior and will not forget their time in Belize.
Lt Steve Burton, 2 Platoon Commander
THE DENSITY OF THE JUNGLE COMBINED WITH A CONCEALED ENEMY CREATED A LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY THAT TESTED ALL RANKS
THE RIFLES
FOURTH BATTALION 89