Page 76 - The Bugle Autumn 2016 Issue 12

Instant Eye being deployed
Advanced Expeditionary Warfare Exercises USA
Recce Platoon enjoyed a running start to 2016, and areas and, with further re nement, is a
THE RIFLEMEN HAD NO PROBLEM FULLY INTEGRATING INTO AN AMERICAN ORBAT
deploying nineteen Ri emen to Fort Benning, Georgia USA, which stands as the home of the US Army Infantry, Armour, Airborne and Ranger schools and supports more than 120,000 personnel on a daily basis. The Ri emen on task formed a two-section ri e platoon, led by Capt Marshall and Sjt Cree and supported by CSjt Gibbons in his capacity as Liaison Of cer. The Platoon was attached to A Company, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry, 316th Cavalry Brigade of the US Army and was used as a manoeuvre sub-unit for company-level operations against a platoon-sized enemy.
AEWE is an annual technology experimentation campaign, focused on the individual soldier and small tactical units. It examines concepts and capabilities for the current and future US force and provides developers in industry with an opera- tional experimental venue. 3 RIFLES were the rst British unit to participate in AEWE and were well aware of its importance; the recommendations made by the Ri emen will assist in determining which capabilities should be pursued further, with the ultimate aim of saving American soldiers’ lives on the battle eld. They were also keenly aware that US Army capability development is closely tied to the British Army and, in all likelihood, some of the technologies displayed on AEWE will be seen in the UK in the near future.
The rst few weeks of the deployment focused on the developers training every Ri eman on their technologies: explaining the science, how to operate, troubleshoot and exploring commanders’ considerations for implementation. For example, a Samsung Galaxy phone was chest-mounted for section commanders and above. Running Nett Warrior Future Initiatives, it provided unprece- dented situational awareness by displaying friendly locations, in addition to a wide range of apps that assist in the planning and decisive phases of operations. InstantEye was being trialled as a small, light-weight unmanned aerial system (UAS) with multi-directional cameras with thermal imagery (TI) capability and had an effective range of 400-500m; the TI camera
was repeatedly successful in providing useable information on enemy locations and disposition. The IRIS is a camera-mounted, ground-navigated robot that was used to conduct a visual clearance of vulnerable points
capability that would surely reduce the threat to life in hostile and complex environments.
Following familiarisation, A Company conducted two weeks of day and night pilot missions and then AEWE culminated with two test weeks. The Ri emen had no problem fully integrating into an American ORBAT and it became apparent that there would be few issues regarding interoper- ability. The similarities in doctrinal language and tactics far outweighed the differences, which reduced the risk of confusion on the battle eld. By the end of the experiment, the UK Platoon had built excellent working relationships with their American allies. The focus throughout AEWE was on analysis of the technologies, rather than tactical decision-making. Consequently, detailed feedback was critical and provided through questionnaires and group discussions and the Ri emen were commended for their invaluable contribution to this process.
During free weekends, the men from Recce Platoon embraced the opportunity to explore and sample Southern culture, including trips to Columbus, Auburn, New Orleans and Panama City. They enjoyed an Atlanta Hawks basketball game, a Columbus Cottonmouths ice hockey game and line dancing in an authentic western saloon bar. Before returning to the UK, an AT package was arranged for shing and cave diving in Destin, Florida, and white-water rafting in Columbus. In all, a thoroughly enjoyable and professionally rewarding task for all involved. Capt Tom Marshall, 2IC C Coy
74 THIRD BATTALION
THE RIFLES
Passage of info with new systems