Page 86 - The Bugle 2018

NO DOUBT THE BATTALION WILL BE HEADING BACK TO TAPA IN A COUPLE OF YEARS – LET’S HOPE IT’S EQUALLY ENJOYABLE NEXT TIME!
I was in Estonia with D Coy for just shy of four months and the Dogs had a superb time! During the tour, we enjoyed an unprecedented quality and quantity of training, all of which is in harmony with CFA’s guidance on Back to Basics. Not only did we exercise as part of the Battlegroup, we supported Enhanced Forward Presence (Latvia) and several Estonian Defence League and Estonian Defence Force exercises, but we also had the freedom to design our own training which took us as far west as Saaremaa Island and as far south as Cesis Castle in Latvia. Without the luxury of Collective Training Group to lean upon, commanders must be more resourceful in training themselves, both mounted and dismounted. This provides an excellent opportunity for junior leaders to not only construct bespoke activity but also create a pool of instructors to run battlefield tours, adventurous training, sport and so on. Of course, we also exploited the cultural opportunities by visiting key cities, organising company social events as well as participating in numerous civilian races and competitions. The limit is your imagination.
For those who are not aware, Estonian topog- raphy is unlike any armoured environment that the UK trains in. Initially sceptical of the utility of tracks in this terrain, they have quickly proved to be far superior to wheeled vehicles (we were constantly recovering bogged-in French and Canadians). The Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) we established more closely resemble those used during Operation TELIC when moving through Basra City: Challenger 2 tanks prove the route whilst the Warrior (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) and dismounts clear vulnerable points en route to the objective. Dismounted tactics are like jungle opera- tions. Visibility in the trees is normally no more than 10 metres, reducing situational awareness, commu- nications and requiring strong low-level leadership and individual skills to navigate through the boggy terrain. This is a junior commander’s campaign where they feel empowered, trusted and valued. This freedom and mission command are something I have not experienced for some time. It is refreshing and energising; morale in the Company is high and much of the training programme is generated from the bottom up.
Improvements in accommodation, welfare facil- ities and a relaxation in walking out policies all contributed to a
more enjoyable deployment. It was a privilege to have a stable training audience (a 180 strong Company!) which allowed me to build a close-knit team and enabled section commanders to go deeper in the development of their subordinates’ skills and tactical muscle memory. Communal living broke through the barriers of the modern ‘Z’ Type accommodation; you quickly get to know your subordinates and superiors alike (particularly in the sauna!). Soldiers have their own vehicles and become familiar with their equipment’s strengths, limitations and mainte- nance requirements. Correspondingly EC culture and equipment husbandry improves, in-theatre fleet availability increases, and these skills will follow us back to the UK, developing our contingent mind-set.
In summary, the Enhance Forward Presence Battlegroup enjoys an unprecedented quality and quantity of training. The deployment generates operationally ready, disciplined and professional soldiers. As the tip of the NATO spear the battle- group is poised to conduct warfighting against near-peer adversaries in conjunction with our allies. This operational bent provides an additional incentive to improve our combat effectiveness and protect our reputation. Readiness permeates everything. The maintenance of combat capability generates a contingent attitude which will improve our deploy- ability in the home base. Junior commanders are motivated and confident, they are trusted and empowered to relentlessly pursue professional excellence through imaginative training. This positive environment improves morale and will assist with retention. No doubt the Battalion will be heading back to Tapa in a couple of years – let’s hope it’s equally enjoyable next time!
Major KMA Buchan-Smith Officer Commanding D Company
Operation Cabrit 1 –
A Sub Unit Commander’s Perspective
D Coy ‘Dogs’ conducting urban operations training
Firing the General Purpose Machine Gun