Page 36 - QARANC Vol 14 No 6 2013

34 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Exercise Northern Challenge September 2012
Anybody that knows me knows that I look forward to the chance to get mean and green. Having had the opportunity to partake in both unit exercises last year it would be fair to say I’ve been looking forward to this all year. I know sad but true.
It was with a great deal of excitement that I made the final preparations to my kit and a final look over the Kit list. Had I packed it all? did I need it? all and with that I could hear the words of my Basic training troop Sgt. Who’s phrase that pays was always, “Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it”. Confident that I was prepared for all the challenges that could come my way, I settled down for what I honestly believed was going to be my last good nights sleep for at least 5 days.
We loaded on to Minibuses and a short time and distance later not even time for a song let a lone a snooze we arrived at our “base camp” Wathgill camp our home from home and the launching point for the following days. The facilities were impeccable as ever and after a detailed opening brief our questions answered. Admin is not a dirty word and no exercise is possible without a great deal of preparation. The preparation was evident as troops were allocated rooms, collected stores radios and weapons and section commanders had their first chances to begin the forming process
I was allocated to Simpson Platoon and was fortunate to initially command 2 section and could have asked for no more as I was awarded Cpl Larcombe as my second in command. I was also very fortunate to have two junior doctors including a surgeon lieutenant.
We launched into the first day of instruction, patrols and opportunities to learn and refresh a number of skills. We spent the afternoon learning obstacle crossings; 6 section battle drills giving fire control orders.
The Section were briefed and with all prepared, knowing what was coming, spirits were high as we loaded onto the buses and still high when we touched ground. As we patrolled off to our individual stands there was a stern look of concentration in the platoon people wanted to do a good job and get it right first time. The skills covered were fire and manoeuvre in both pairs and then as a fire team and then as a
section.
CIED had a profound impact on
section members who couldn’t believe how easy it is to hide IED’s. Lessons previously learnt in the classroom came to life as troops conducted 5 & 20 metre checks and realised that they were right next to devices that would of killed them and their friends. Capt Jacques and Capt McGarry taught an animated and well-paced lesson on contact drills with only pride being a minor casualty in one of the serials. It was very evident that section commanders and their sections were getting a good grounding in infantry skills and awareness. After a walk through talk through on harbour skills and drills it was time to kick back into game mode and set up for a practical execution of harbour drills.
With failing light and a warm meal inside the platoon commander gave her orders and a short time later I was giving my own troops their orders a night clearance patrol. All three section at once with their own areas. So onto the dark we went with our DS accompanying us. The training area was busy with other units so it was often confusing. In the first half of the patrol I was in the prone position hiding my silhouette more often than on one of Cpl Larcombe’s circuit sessions.
Out of the darkness came the all too familiar flashes and reports of the enemy and instinctively came the call “CONTACT FRONT”. I had barely given the order to withdraw and the section was peeling through the staggered formation calls passing front to back MOVING until I called a reorg on me. As I listened in the quietness of the night my section listed off ammo state and injuries with a cool calmness; I smiled to myself confident that the bases were covered, a contact report sent and a remap completed, we moved off piste a little as we made our way over tough ground to clear the remaining terrain and ensure all enemy had fled the area.
After a night of stagging on and seeing the harbour through the strange light of the CWS light intensifying scope it was morning routine. Then came a demonstration of a section level attack on an enemy position from members of ITC. With a renewed confidence and after a change of command I found myself made up to Platoon
Sergeant. With a nervous anticipation I stepped up to my role with the Platoon Commander, now Capt Sloss, the sections moved off to practice what we had just seen.
We were given an opportunity to demonstrate our harbour skills and as I commanded the ambush the Reece group did their job. With the troop sergeant hot on their heels the troops performed well. Team work the key as I motivated (badgered) the section commanders and 2IC’s.
After a surprisingly restful night where light discipline was strictly adhered to it was a relief to stand to and see the sunrise clearance patrols complete after the midnight IDF attack. There was a distinct air of anticipation as orders were delivered and section commanders briefed their own troops. Slowly as the individual sections departed along the chosen route there was little for me to do but keep the remaining troops focused and ensure they used the waiting time to practice. After a slow patrol to the target choosing to maintain cover and stealth we closed to within 50 meters of the farmhouse location without contact with the enemy. After gaining some local intelligence we closed on the enemy. With adrenaline pumping we watched the enemy position destroyed. After the 200 metre uphill run to reorg there was little ammo remaining, which bought home the need to conserve ammo.
Post exercise admin and debriefing over, it was time to shower and make our way to the BBQ. Where through the medium of food people reminisced and shared individual highs and lows. It was inevitable however that people were early to bed to recuperate.
Friday came quickly and troops all looked forward to adventure training. This would be my first opportunity to undertake adventure training and I opted for clay pigeon shooting and I wasn’t disappointed. It was challenging, fun and left me with a rare smile on my face; even if I achieved the impossible and managed to field strip a shotgun for daily cleaning unexpectedly whilst in the competition shoot!
The whole week more than lived up to my expectations. I enjoyed it from start to finish and look forward to the prospect of future unit Exercises.