Page 59 - Mercian Eagle 2017

How we Force Protect our forces and build rapport with Host Nation Forces
Lt Greenway – 8 Platoon Commander
Getting Force Protection right is a very fine balance. It is all about building a rapport with the Host Nation Forces, enabling them to feel safe and focus on their lessons, without making them feel nervous with
our presence. Members of C (Kohima) Company achieved this balance throughout their 6 months spent on Operation SHADER in Iraq. The need for Force Protection has been evident ever since the Herrick and Telic days and the threat of ‘Green on Blue’ attacks, it is something that the British Army has learned and has been getting right over the years.
A typical day on Op SHADER for the Force Protection Platoon began with an early wake up, normally around 0500hrs. The sun had just begun to rise and you could already begin to feel the warmth creeping past the 40 degree mark. After
a quick scoff, the lads would begin to first parade their Foxhound patrol vehicles and finish off their radio checks with the Ops room, during which time the commander ensured that the flap sheets and kit checks have been conducted.
After a concise but relevant set of orders, the FP would lead the training team out of the front gate and onto the ground. It was a short, bumpy and dusty drive to the training areas where the lessons were conducted. The FP would do a quick sweep of the area, ensuring that it is clear and there are no signs of anyone or anything being there that shouldn’t be. Once complete, the training team would set up for their lesson delivery.
During the Iraq summer, stepping out of an air conditioned Foxhound is like stepping into an oven, especially while wearing body armour, PPE and carrying your individual weapon. However, it is important that the Guardian Angels look professional to act as a deterrent to any threats, they also need
to be ready to fight if the situation were to deteriorate. The Iraqi Security Force (ISF)
Iraqi soldiers like competition, banter, internet videos and getting an early finish before their Ju’uma (weekend), just like British soldiers / Iraq / November 2017
Pte Crowther / Keeping a watchful eye on the ISF as they hone their C-IED skills / Iraq / September 2017
Iraqi Security Forces receiving medical training from the UK Training Teams. The soldiers quickly grasped basic life-saving skills including the use of the CAT Tourniquet / Iraq / July 2017
students would turn up, appearing out of the desert seemingly from nowhere, for their lessons. The ISF loved chatting to the FP lads as they enjoyed looking at their kit up close and hearing stories about their family and the UK. They would often shout greetings and wave to the FP as they drove by.
Once lessons began, it is important that the FP lads remained close enough to be able to read the atmospherics of the lesson and detect any disturbances, but far away enough so that they did not disturb the lesson and act as a distraction. The top cover on the foxhound would scan his arcs to ensure that there is no threat from the outer regions- usually only to be pestered by the occasional homeless dog appearing from the desert out of curiosity in the hope for an easy meal.
Yes, the Force Protection are there for security purposes, and yes they are all trained light role infantry, however hearts and minds were key to their job also!
Very often this involved swapping stories
of Operations and Exercises or sharing cigarettes whilst on breaks with the ISF. They are ultimately no different to the British troops. Getting to know the ISF is the key element to the job as it is this relationship that keeps us safe. It was through this rapport building that valuable intelligence was gathered, and it also helped maintain control within the lesson. By gaining their mutual respect, the ISF soldiers participated in the lessons, regardless of the baking sun.
With the rotation of each unit every few weeks, one thing endures: the ISF always feel safe and secure, and can ultimately focus on their lessons without worry. The hours of hard work put in from the lads
on Guardian Angel and on top cover, combined with the willingness to interact and communicate with the ISF whilst on a break has meant that the safety of the UK training team was never in doubt throughout the tour.
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