Page 10 - Cadet Review Summer 2019

Joint Service News
CADETS GET ‘TOP END’
TRAINING ON EXERCISE
ROOKE’S ROCK
by Sgt Mary Hood, Yorkshire (N&W) ACF
Based at Devil’s Tower Camp, home of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, the group were in awe at the stunning views of the ‘Rock’. The first class facilities of the base allowed the cadets to experience downtime on the climbing wall and sports on the astro turf pitch, all with the ‘Rock’ as a fabulous backdrop.
The highlight of the trip for many of the cadets was taking part in the Training In Built Up Areas (TIBUA) challenge. In stifling heat, the group travelled to ‘Buffadero Camp’, a purpose built training village with stunning sea views and glimpses across to Africa.
The cadets were eager to get started and to add to the excitement a visit from the Commander of British Forces Gibraltar, Commodore Tim Henry, gave
them all a boost of confidence. it was a momentous occasion for everyone.
After a briefing and presentation to refresh existing knowledge, the cadets were grouped into two platoons, mixing the army cadets and the CCF cadets. They made their way into the training village where they spent a preparation day being instructed in how to patrol in urban environments, house and building entry drills and room clearance drills.
The following day it was time for the full confirm- atory exercise where the cadets put all their TIBUA training into practice. In their Platoons the cadets
After it was all over the cadets made their way
out of the tunnels into the bright sunshine and it was clear with the huge smiles on their faces that they had enjoyed every bit of it
were briefed on a mission to clear a number of defended houses and structures. It was an unforget- table scene with explosions, smoke and lots of noise. The cadets loved every minute of it.
One of the most exciting challenges of the trip involved the cadets getting the opportunity to operate in the World War II tunnel systems within the Rock of Gibraltar. These tunnels have been used more recently to train troops and special forces in how
to fight and operate in tunnel systems. Everyone received practical training in how to exercise in close quarter environments, in particular clearing tunnels.
Once the training was over it was time for the action. Cadets donned their ear defenders, ear plugs, safety helmets, glasses and collected their weapons. They were ready to put all they had learnt into a very loud and exciting confirmatory exercise. After it was all over the cadets made their way out of the tunnels into the bright sunshine and it was clear with the huge smiles on their faces that they had enjoyed every bit of it.
Every moment of Exercise Rooke’s Rock was filled with highlights. A day spent with the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron gave the cadets the opportunity to take to the sea in the Navy’s Rigid Inflatable Boats
10 CADET REVIEW SUMMER 2019