Page 30 - 4RA Regimental Journal 2019-2020

During the corona virus lock down, soldiers from across the Royal Artil- lery came up with innovative meth-
ods of raising money for charitable causes despite the restrictions of dispersed readi- ness and social distancing measures. 94 (New Zealand) Headquarters Battery came up with their own novel idea to get as many soldiers from across the Battery involved to raise money in support of York Mind and Forever Fourth, 24 for 24. The aim of the 24 for 24 challenge was to have groups of soldiers running continuous, socially distant, laps of Alanbrooke Bar- racks airfield (a 5.3km loop) for 24 hours in recognition of the 24 hours a day people suffer from mental ill health. These issues are made even worse by the pressures placed on frontline workers and those iso- lated during the lock down.
As the “North East Gunners” and with the majority of soldiers from the Regiment deployed in support of the Mobile Test- ing Units in the North East, we felt it was important to support those suffering from mental ill health in the North East area. York Mind are an independent charity that works in the local community to provide counselling for those affected and to raise
24 for 24
Sgt Blackburn
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
On the 8th March, members of 94 (New Zealand) Headquar- ters Battery deployed to the
U.S. to take part in Ex WARFIGHTER, the largest of its kind for 30 years. WARFIGHTER is designed to test UK troops alongside our French and Amer- ican allies in a realistic wartime simula- tion. We deployed as part of 7th Infantry Brigade, the Desert Rats, but working under the command of 1st Armoured Division (1AD), operating out of Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.
We deployed on ex WARFIGHTER as it is important to support multinational interoperability. Over 1300 troops from 3rd (UK) Division alone, spread across multiple locations, participated in the exercise. It is important for us as a Bri- gade and the Army as a whole, to be able to fight alongside our allies, and putting in the hours training as we would fight is of the utmost importance. WARFIGHTER strengthens the Army’s readiness in its ability to conduct Corps level operations with its allies against a peer threat.
Ex WARFIGHTER
Bdr Ashcroft
We deployed for six weeks in total with the exercise itself culminating in a ten- day validation exercise. We deployed four weeks earlier due to the ongo- ing COVID-19 pandemic which gave us time to isolate for two weeks and mitigate any threat as best we could. Whilst isolating in our households and as a training team, we utilised this time to revise and refresh skills honed on previous exercises back in the UK. As a team we put on exercise relevant low level training. Members from each arm/ role delivered briefs to each other and the 7 Infantry Brigade team on their units capabilities and what they had to offer to enhance shared understand- ing within the headquarters. We also received multiple lessons on battle group tactics and conducted rehearsal of concept (ROC) drills, in order to bet- ter understand the plan.
Once our two weeks isolation period was over, we were then able to visit the mission training complex (MTC) where we would be operating from and famil- iarise ourselves with the kit and the pro-
cedures we would use once the valida- tion exercise went live.
As the validation exercise began it became apparent how valuable all the training prior to the exercise had been. Not just with low level skills, but with the combined arms rehearsals at a higher level. Everything ran smoothly and helped train and develop our ability to operate effectively within an Ameri- can armoured division construct.
At a personal level I learned a lot dur- ing this exercise and have developed a deeper knowledge of tactics of differ- ent arms of the British Army and also the U.S Army. Although a small force in comparison it was clear how highly thought of and important we are to the U.S army, in particular our light infantry units. Being able to leverage each oth- er’s strengths, which makes us stronger as a whole, is key. It is important that we maintain our partnership now and into the future.
awareness and fight the stigma that sur- rounds mental ill health. Forever Fourth, our Regimental charity, works to provide support for members of the Regiment and their families during times of crisis.
The idea started as a discussion between Maj Alexander (BC 94), WO2 (BSM) Ait- ken, SSgt Manderson (RAPTC), Sgt Black-
burn and Sgt Eason during dispersed readiness. Having seen the hard work of other Regiments raising money during the lockdown, we were keen to try and go one better, helping those suffering from mental health issues whilst also testing the mental and physical stamina of our soldiers. The decision was made to conduct a 24-hour endurance event, with soldiers aiming
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