Page 78 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2017
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 76 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN) Army Headquarters - in the Search
for New Training Areas
 My role initially as ‘SO1 Khanjar at Army Headquarters (AHQ)’ in Andover was to develop joint training in the Sultanate of Oman. As is the ‘norm’ at AHQ, however, under the Collective Training Transformation Programme, my role has morphed into one in which the hunt for new suitable training areas has extended to other Middle Eastern countries and others within central and eastern Europe.
At the time of writing, the Oman opportunities are looking very positive. Exercise SAIF SARREA 3, the largest exercise in the region for years (tak-
ing place in 2019), led by Joint Force Command
in conjunction with the Sultan’s Armed Forces,
will test both our enablers and deploying units in
the unforgiving desert environment. Unfortunately,
the training area that is being utilised for this exercise will
close soon after due to economic constraints and the search for oil and gas.
We are collectively engaged in negotiations to open a new train- ing area close to our Joint Logistic Support Base in Duqm. Our man in the capital, Colonel David Bennett, remains a key in- terlocutor with the ministries, agencies and private companies involved. Pending agreements, Ras Madrakah will provide a first-class training area with Joint training opportunities unri- valled by any of the training areas in Europe.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, notably in Kuwait, we continue concep- tual studies into understanding what may be possible by devel- oping an urban training facility. Concurrently, 51st Infantry Brigade coordinate our enduring capacity building.
Within Europe, by agreeing Key User Requirements, we have down-selected to a number of training areas within NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force member countries. We are currently
Army Headquarters European Recce group - Colonel Rogers and Lieutanant Colonel Blakey
assessing their suitability with the help of our attaché communi- ty and allies. On completion, we will present an ‘a la cartè’ menu of training area options, based on an austere and expeditionary design. The Executive Committee Army Board will consider the options and subsequently direct the Field Army to deliver training in these areas in the near future.
I am hopeful that these areas will provide more relevant and challenging environments to train on, allowing us closer align- ment with our strategic partners. We will also contribute more effectively to reassure and deter within the NATO and meet our declared Notice to Effect obligations, at an affordable price... Inshallah.
CJB
 Training in Oman

















































































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