Page 10 - 4RA Regimental Journal 2019-2020

4th Regiment Royal Artillery
The PNCO Course continued to develop their fire and manoeuvre skills, culminat- ing up to section level as they progressed towards the final attack. The enemy pic- ture began building towards a stronger than expected enemy in the area, which began probing the PNCO FOB.
The days on Exercise SUNDERLAND FINALE went quickly, and before any of the students knew it, the time had come for the final attack. After several prob- ing missions, the enemy had conducted a successful offensive operation and had cleared the PNCO Course from their FOB; forcing their withdrawal. Orders had been dispatched from higher. The PNCO Course were to clear the enemy in the fields sur- rounding the FOB to allow the JNCO Course to push through their positions and clear the enemy within the FOB.
The PNCO Course, harboured a couple of kilometres from the FOB and crossed the line of departure just before first light. Positions had been reconnoitred and the course began a deliberate attack on the positions at first light. With GPMG fire suppressing the enemy positions, the positions began to fall and after several successful section attacks, the course had pushed to its limit of exploitation at the edge of the farm complex.
Regimental ALDP (From right to left: Bdr Harrison, LBdr Wheeler, LBdr Cooper, Sgt Musgrove, LBdr Page, LBdr Robertson, Capt Harvey)
As the signal came from the PNCO course that they had reached their LoE and the positions in the fields had been cleared, the JNCO course set off and crossed the Line of Departure. Meeting resistance within the FOB, the students battled through, clearing the buildings on the outskirts and gaining a foothold. Lance Bombar- dier Page, acting as Section Commander, fought through with his Section, clearing the buildings one by one. With sustained pressure, the buildings began to fall and soon the complex had been cleared of all
enemy. The FOB was clear. The battle now over.
Exercise SUNDERLAND FINALE was over. The Commanding Officers’ address saw two Gunners promote to Lance Bombar- dier. During both the theory and practical phases of the ALDP, the soldiers had been tested physically and mentally, showing great leadership qualities and demonstrat- ing what it takes to be a JNCO in the Royal Regiment.
As soon as I heard about the oppor- tunity to go to Afghanistan for 6 months as a female Guardian Angel, I instantly put my name forward for it. When I got the phone call on 23 June from the BSM to say I had been selected to go, I was so happy but also very nerv- ous. With PDT starting on the 7 July, there was not much time to get kit sorted and all my documents ready for the deployment, however, things started to pick up, and the excitement of a tour began to kick in.
My PDT was five weeks long, spent down at Chilwell Barracks at the Mission Readi- ness Training Centre (MTMC) and Lydd ranges. The PDT at MTMC was a fast paced five weeks which included a host of activity, from completing all the MATTs, the Team Medic Course, SERE B and one week at Lydd Ranges conducting LFTT. PDT was fantastic. Not only did I feel com- pletely prepared to deploy to Afghanistan, I had learnt a number of new skills that will assist throughout my career, and on the ranges, I got to complete several shoots I had never done before, using a number of weapons I hadn’t fired before. I also met some great people who I keep in touch with.
Op TORAL
LBdr Cullen
After two weeks isolation in Shrivenham, I then deployed to Afghanistan on 4 Octo- ber. Nervous but excited, I deployed to theatre on my own as I didn’t deploy with 2 SCOTS who I was being attached too. I deployed earlier than 2 SCOTS, so initially, I was working alongside 4 SCOTS in Camp Qargha, which saw me complete sanger and HLS duties. After only a week in Camp Qargha, I moved to Camp Resolute Sup- port, where I worked with 2 RIFLES until 2 SCOTS arrived into theatre. My time with 2 RIFLES was great, as it gave me the chance to get to know my job completely before my attached unit arrived.
Since deploying on Op TORAL, I have been on many taskings with three different Battlegroups. The taskings are always long and tiring but are also very interesting to be involved with. The Infantry provide force protection for the mentors, who are usu- ally officers from different nations, includ- ing New Zealand, United States, Australia and the UK. We take the mentors to the Afghanistan National Army Officer Acad- emy (ANAOA) who mentor the Afghans and we provide security for them whilst they are in their meetings.
LBdr Cullen with the 2 SCOTS BG on Op TORAL
One of my favourite experiences was a mission to provide force protection for the mentors when they were at the obsta- cle course, assisting with the fitness test aspect to the selection process for Afghan Army Recruits. It was nice to have an insight into how the selection process is in Afghanistan and comparing it to ours. There isn’t much difference in ours com- pared to theirs!
So far, I have been really enjoying my experience out here and I would recom- mend any female who gets the opportu- nity to deploy as a female GA to grab it. It is a fantastic opportunity.
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