Alliance Forces: Br T Sh Army

Jan 2017 Vol 28 Issue 10

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ALLIANCE FORCES EXERCISE COLIBRI

E IN SI E 2017 YED AR PLANNER [Worth £9

Infantry Special

BRITISH ARMY

„ 1 MERCIAN - ARMOURED „ 2 MERCIAN - LIGHT ROLE „ 1 PWRR - ‘ARMOURED TIGERS’

VEHICLE FOCUS SUPACAT LRV 400/600

URBAN SURVIVAL KIDNAP RISKS ABROAD

Volume 28 Issue 10 £4.25

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KIT & CAMO LEGIÓN ESPAÑOLA

BRITAIN’S LEADING INDEPENDENT MILITARY MAGAZINE

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COMBAT +SURVIVAL Vicky Lindsay, Magazine Director

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

Bob Morrison, Editor Carl Schulze, Senior Correspondent Gordon Arthur, Far East Correspondent Jason Polley, Survival Specialist Mike Gormley, Gear Tester Robert Shaw, Security Consultant Ian Young, Scale Models Neal Molyneaux, Designer

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT

Moira Spencer, Sales Director Fran Smith, Admin & Accounts Manager

MARKETING DEPARTMENT

Ciaran Jarosz, Head of Marketing Daryl Crowther, Marketing Manager

PAGE 09: British Forces 1 - URBAN ASSAULT Bob Morrison reports from Poland on 2nd Battalion of the Mercian Regiment on ANAKONDA 16

PAGE 18: British Forces 2 - COMBINED ARMS Bob Morrison reports from Salisbury Plain on 1st Battalion of the Mercian Regiment in action

PAGE 24: British Forces 3 - ARMOURED TIGERS Carl Schulze reports from Germany on 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment

PAGE 30: Kit & Camo - LEGIÓN ESPAÑOLA Bob Morrison focuses on Spain’s digital camouage pattern worn by the Spanish Legion

PAGE 34: Marching Ammo - FRENCH N H RI NC R RICR C CR Bob Morrison tries out the eld rations issued sssue ued d to to B Belgian eg el giian a troops on Exercise STORM TIDE III

PAGE 38: Airborne Forces - COLIBRI IBR BRI RI IL IL Carl Schulze reports from Southern France ce on on tthe he rrecent ecen ec ecen entt multinational invitational exercise

PAGE 45: Multinational Command - HQ ARRC Bob Morrison reports from Cornwall on th the he NA NATO ATO Headquarters on its validation exercise

PAGE 52: Urban Survival KIDNAP RISKS Jason Polley advises on forward planning, g, precautions and conduct if kidnapped when hen he n abroad

PAGE 58: Vehicle Focus SUPACAT LRV Bob Morrison brings exclusive images of the British 4x4 and 6x6 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle

[Cover Image : © Bob Morrison]

PAGE 64: Outdoor Gear TRIED & TESTED Mike Gormley has come up with some ideas de eas a for last minute Christmas presents

PAGE 70: Footwear - AKU GRIFFON ON Bob Morrison tries the new Patrol and Combat ombat mb m batt High Liability boots from the Italian company pan any ny

PAGE 05: Comms PAGES 50 & 72: Reviews PAGE 68: Security

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COMBAT CO OMB MBAT A & SURVIVAL | 03

Comms Images © Bob Morrison unless noted

comms

Troops from 2 MERCIAN wearing VIRTUS on Ex. ANAKONDA ‘16 in Poland

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his month we have been able to bring readers another action-packed issue, and hopefully we should be able to keep up this high tempo for at least a couple of months to come as we already have several more unique features in the can. Where this issue is different, however, is that we have been able to focus on not only two battalions of the same regiment, 1 MERCIAN and 2 MERCIAN, assigned to the Reaction Force and the Adaptable Force respectively, but also on 1 PWRR which was the British Forces battalion working up to take over as a core battlegroup of NATO’s on-call Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Land) for 2017. The British-led Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) has also been working up to take command of the NATO Reaction Force for 2017, and we were allowed a rare opportunity to visit their Headquarters deployed in the eld in Cornwall as it prepared for validation (which is subsequently achieved). Covering UK Forces on exercise has become increasingly difcult over the last few years, and the ongoing ARMY 2020 restructuring seems to be making our job harder rather than easier, but fortunately the ARRC HQ is a NATO rather than National formation and their Public Affairs Ofce appears to still recognise the value of helping, rather than hindering, interested media. Incidentally, when covering this exercise we were one of only three media outlets

to record the Secretary of State for Defence responding to the question: “Is NATO’s increased presence in Europe enough to deter Russian adventurism?” Our video clip can be viewed on the CombatandSurvival.com website Looking back, as this is the last issue to be published in 2016, one of the biggest UK Forces stories of the year has been the introduction of the VIRTUS load carriage and personal protection package. First announced in January 2015, with delivery commencing the following September, VIRTUS was rolled out during the year to troop formations on the Contingency/Committed Year of the three-year Operational Readiness Mechanism cycle. C&S rst photographed this new kit being worn in the eld last April, by the 3 PARA battlegroup on Ex. GRIFFIN STRIKE ‘16, and both Carl and myself have subsequently brought readers quite a few photos of troops wearing it on exercises. We have not, however, until now published many photos from the eld of the kit on its own. The photos on Page 50 are intended to remedy that omission. All images are of the VIRTUS Scalable Tactical Vest and Chassis/ MOLLE Belt components, plus in some shots the Revision Batlskin COBRA helmet, set down by soldiers from 2 MERCIAN during a break in training on Ex. ANAKONDA ‘16 on the Wedrzyn Training Area in Poland. In this issue we also have, at time of writing in late November, what appears

Paras and Gurkhas wearing VIRTUS on Ex. GRIFFIN STRIKE ‘16 in England

to be a world exclusive on the AKU GRIFFON combat boots which appear to have been manufactured to comply with current UK MoD specications for what are designated the PATROL and COMBAT HIGH LIABILITY categories. As new uniform boot models which can be bought on the civilian market appear to be one of the most popular topics we cover in C&S, to give readers advance warning we now immediately announce which boots we are about to review on the CombatandSurvival.com website, but we always rst publish the full article in the print and digital versions of magazine so that our readership gets to read it about a month or so before the masses. While on the subject of t’internet, although we can see just how many ‘hits’ one of our pages is getting, the advertisers who support the magazine cannot. They can however, and indeed many do, watch the performance of our social media sites. One recent C&S post racked up a 30,000 Facebook reach in less than 48 hours, with shedloads of viewers clicking through to the article. Our advertisers cannot see this either, but if you take a second to Like &/or Love facebook.com/ combatandsurvival and Follow twitter. com/combatsurvival the resultant stats can help keep our backers happy. Without advertisers our cover price would be much higher and we would not be able to provide our exclusive content. Finally, you may have noticed an increase in the number of pixellated faces in this magazine. We always do our best to preserve the anonymity of both Special Forces and Snipers and in almost every case we do not link an individual soldier’s name with his or her photo; unless they, or commanders, request it or they are senior ofcers whose identity is already well-publicised. More recently, however, some governments have stipulated that soldiers deployed on the streets to try to dissuade terrorist attacks on the civilian population should have their anonymity preserved and in such circumstances C&S is more than happy to comply as we fully understand the need for OpSec and PerSec. BM

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british forces 01

BOB MORRISON

01: A MERCIAN platoon moves into position - all in this photo wear VIRTUS load carriage equipment, Batlskin COBRA helmets and Sawy eye-pro

02: One of the many apartment blocks on the Wedrzyn Training Area that 2 MERCIAN had to clear - room by room and oor by oor

URBAN ASSAULT 2 MERCIAN - LIGHT ROLE INFANTRY The Mercian Regiment, which the British Army calls The Heart of England’s Infantry, was formed in 2007 through the amalgamation of the Cheshire Regiment, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment and the Staordshire Regiment. At this time there were three Regular battalions, each representing their antecedent regiment, but in 2014 the 3rd Battalion, The Staords, was merged with the 1st and 2nd.

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ollowing the multinational urban assault phase demo in front of Distinguished Visitors and Observers at the Wedrzyn Training area in Eastern Poland during Exercise ANAKONDA ‘16, C&S was given the

03: A selection of blank ammunition on the loadbed of one of the Defender 110 R-WMIK Land Rovers used by Support Company

04: Loading blank L18A1 5.56x45mm blank rounds into a drill magazine for an SA80A2 assault rie note the crimped end of the cartridges

Images © Bob Morrison

01 Report & Images by

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chance to work with 2 MERCIAN as they trained for their next task. A major night assault on another part of the urban complex, working alongside Canada’s elite Royal 22nd ‘Van Doos’ Regiment, was being planned and the British troops made good use of the

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british forces 01

Images © Bob Morrison

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06 intervening period by running through drills at platoon and section level inside the buildings they had captured in the assault we covered last month; unfortunately the media pen was at the opposite end of the village from the street where the Mercians were assaulting so we could only watch from a distance. As part of the newly recongured British Army under the ARMY 2020 programme, 2 MERCIAN is part of the Adaptable Force and operates as a

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“2 MERCIAN IS PART OF THE ADAPTABLE FORCE AND OPERATES AS A LIGHT ROLE INFANTRY BATTALION.”

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11 05: This 2 MERCIAN colour sergeant and ofcer both wear VIRTUS Scalable Tactical Vest with Chassis / MOLLE Belt and Batlskin COBRA helmet 06: A seven-man infantry section prepares to dash across a road under cover of smoke, just visible at right of frame, to enter an enemy-held building 07: A colleague from another section in the building next door covers the assault team with a 5.56mm L110A2 Minimi light machinegun

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08: Standard assault rie for the Mercian Regiment is the SA80A2 seen here with SpecterOS sight - note ejected spent cartridge caught in mid-air 09: The section goes in through a ground oor window - third man covers his colleagues in case an enemy pops around the corner

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10: With the rst section inside another four-man re team stacks beside an entrance to the building covering the doors and windows 11: Machinegun teams with 7.62mm GPMGs lay down supporting re from the ank - the standing soldier without helmet is an umpire

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12: Another re team covers more doors and windows - note RAMC tactical recognition ash on right arm and subdued Red Cross on helmet of medic on the right

Light Role infantry battalion. It is a constituent part of 42 Infantry Brigade, one of seven such brigades which, along with 102 Logistic Brigade, form 1 [United Kingdom] Division. As part of the Adaptable Force the battalion rotates through a 36month cycle, with personnel spending 12 months on individual training other tasks, 12 months dedicated to

collective training, and nally 12 months either committed to, or on readiness for, contingent tasks. Under peacetime establishment 2 MERCIAN consists of: the Headquarter Company; three roughly 100strong Rie Companies; and a Support Company. Operating in the Light Role the battalion currently has only B Vehicles

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british b ritish fforces orces 0 011

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13 for troop transportation, mostly MAN SV trucks with Land Rover Defender Wolf 110 and Wolf 90 vehicles in the medium and light utility roles, plus its Support Company has Defender 110 R-WMIK Land Rovers for recce and re support duties. The accompanying photographs were taken both on the afternoon of the DV Day demonstration and the following morning, before we headed North to Drawsko Pomorskie for the next major ANAKONDA ‘16 demo. Only blank rounds were used throughout during

our visit, though on the second morning breaching charges were in use in some of the buildings; on safety grounds, understandably these specic areas were put off-limits to us. As can be seen from the images most, though not all, participants were equipped with VIRTUS load carriage equipment and Batlskin COBRA combat helmets plus Revision Sawy eye protection. We questioned several soldiers and Junior NCOs for their, off-the-record, comments and were pleasantly surprised to

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13: Seen through a mousehole on the top oor, the rst members of the assault team have reached the top of the stairs - soldier to right is an umpire

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14: Room by room a section clears through the building winkling out the defenders - another section is simultaneously working through the oor below 15: These soldiers are covering a skylight to ensure the section is not ambushed from above others were checking that the roof was unoccupied 16: With the top oor cleared the section makes its way down the second staircase, wary that there could be a suicidal enemy waiting to ambush them 17: The soldiers work in mutually supporting pairs as they clear every room and obstruction

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british forces 01 hear that, after having worn it long enough for it to have bedded in, they felt the new equipment was pretty much ideal for their role as light infantry specialising in close combat and urban ghting. For details of 1 MERCIAN turn to page 18.

Footnote: According to gures recently released by the MoD the two Regular battalions of the Regiment totalled 1,190 paid ranks as of 1st August 2016, down approximately 100 from the same date in 2015 and 480 down on 2011, prior to the 3rd battalion being merged with 1st and 2nd.

“PARTICIPANTS WERE EQUIPPED WITH VIRTUS LOAD CARRIAGE EQUIPMENT AND BATLSKIN COBRA COMBAT HELMETS PLUS REVISION SAWFLY EYE PROTECTION.”

18: As his colleagues descend towards ground level this soldier watches their backs in case they have somehow missed an enemy hiding upstairs 19: Current standard wheeled transport for Light Role Infantry is the MAN Support Vehicle - this example has an appliqué armour cab 20: Endex and a weary section leaves the now cleared building - the MERCIAN Tactical Recognition Flash is a cerise, buff and Lincoln green diamond

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01: A typical Mercian Regiment R-WMIK on overwatch during ANAKONDA ‘16 02: R-WMIKs are crewed by three soldiers and patrol in mutually supporting pairs 03: The vehicles’ machineguns have been removed to support troops in the village 04: Recce Platoon crossing the Oder/Odra border between Germany and Poland [© Carl Schulze]

british vehicles

RECCE PLATOON 2 MERCIAN - DRAGON COMPANY

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n the previous article we made brief reference to the R-WMIK reconnaissance vehicles used by 2 MERCIAN on Exercise ANAKONDA ‘16 in Poland. In total six of these vehicles, belonging to the Recce Platoon of D ‘Dragon’ Company, deployed to the Wedrzyn Training Area, about 125km due East of Berlin and

40km inside Poland, crossing a Polishbuilt ribbon bridge over the River Oder/ Odra border ahead of the rest of the battalion. With the exception of Carl’s photo of the platoon crossing the river on 11th June, the images on this page were taken in and around the urban training village at Wedrzyn four days later. The vehicles used by the platoon

are R-WMIK (Refurbished - Weapons Mount Installation Kit) variants of the Land Rover Defender 110 HS ‘Wolf’ which were converted by Ricardo Vehicle Engineering of Shoreham in 2008. For more on the R-WMIK refer to the February 2015 issue and the second part of the WMIK WOLF Evolution trilogy.

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Images © Bob Morrison [unless otherwise noted]

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Report & Images by

BOB MORRISON

british forces 02

Images © Bob Morrison

COMBINED ARMS

E VR U OE AN M 1 MERCIAN - ARMOURED INFANTRY The Mercian Regiment was formed in 2007 through the amalgamation of the Cheshire Regiment, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment and the Staordshire Regiment. Following amalgamation, each of the three Regular battalions represented their antecedent regiments in that order, but when in 2014 The Staords merged with their sister battalions lines became blurred for The Heart of England’s Infantry.

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oday 1 MERCIAN, formerly 1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment, is tasked in the Armoured Infantry role. In October, C&S was given the opportunity to watch the Bulford-based battalion’s battlegroup conducting a series of actions - Defensive, Enabling

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and Offensive - during a Combined Arms Manoeuvre Demonstration on Salisbury Plain using both blank and then live ammunition. The bulk of the images in this article were taken during the initial phase, when the battlegroup was advancing on our camera position to engage enemy

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06 01: Now part of the Reaction Force under the ARMY 2020 restructuring, the 1st Battalion of The Mercian Regiment operates in the Armoured Infantry role 02: One of the ‘Little Green Men’ anonymous Regulars who advised and supported ‘Men In Blue’ militia roleplayers opposing the 1 MERCIAN battlegroup 03: An OpFor militia T-72 Main Battle Tank moves into position - one of the ‘Little Green Men’ advisers can be seen in the emplacement to the right 04: The UK Forces advance commences with Royal Engineers clearing a lane through the enemy mineeld - note TROJAN left of centre 05: With the mineeld successfully breached 1 MERCIAN FV510 Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles race through the gap heading for dead ground

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06: Out on the ank a troop of Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks with what appears to be an artillery OPV Warrior behind lays down supporting re 07: Overhead Apache attack helicopters provide additional eyes in the skies and engage enemy armour with Hellre missiles and CRV7 rockets 08: In addition to Challenger tanks, Apache helicopters and ground attack aircraft the battlegroup can call on Royal Artillery 105mm and 155mm gun batteries

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armour and emplaced troops using blank ammunition. The Mercian Regiment Armoured Infantry Battlegroup undertaking the CAMD primarily comprised: an Armoured Squadron of 18 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks, here provided by D Squadron of the Queen’s Royal Hussars;

an Armoured Infantry Company, from B Company 1 MERCIAN, with 14 FV510 Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles apiece, each carrying up to seven infantry dismounts plus three-man crew; a Mechanised Infantry Company, from 4th Battalion of The Ries, with 14 MASTIFF Protected Mobility Vehicles, also carrying up to seven dismounts;

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british forces 02

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09: With the enemy armour defeated and their infantry sheltering from the artillery barrage the 1 MERCIAN Warriors break out from cover and advance 10: Under cover of smoke and 30mm and 7.62mm direct re from their Warrior turret the Mercians debus to assault the enemy trenches 11: Working in pairs the armoured infantry leapfrog forward to capture and occupy the enemy trenches in just a few frenetic seconds of raw aggression 12: Mopping up the last trenches - on operations bayonets would be tted to assault ries but use of blank ring attachments precluded this 13: An armoured infantry section debussing in front of the podium at Endex - the Mercian Regiment tactical ash is clearly visible on the centre soldier’s arm

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14: A supporting Challenger 2 main battle tank passes behind the 1 MERCIAN Warrior as the section lines up in front of the Distinguished Visitors party 15: The barely visible subdued colours triangular Tactical Recognition Flash on the left arm of these Mercians shows they belong to 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade 16: Close-up shot of the section’s lance corporal blank ring attachments and blank magazines were removed before presentation to the DV party

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12 a Fire Support Company, D Company 1 MERCIAN, with Recce Platoon in CVR(T), 81mm Mortar Platoon in FV432 Bulldog, and Anti-Tank Platoon with FGM-148 Javelin anti-armour missile transported in Warrior; an Artillery Battery with L131 AS-90 155mm selfpropelled howitzers; an Armoured Engineer Squadron with TROJAN, TITAN and TERRIER engineer vehicles; and Integral Logistics Support assets. As this brief article primarily concentrates on 1 MERCIAN we have not focused on the company from 4 RIFLES who backed up B Company, but we have included the Opposing Forces (OpFor). The OpFor on this exercise was provided by external contractors who supplied former military personnel using Eastern European weapons and tactics,

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Images © Bob Morrison

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13 supported by Former Warsaw Pact armour ranging from armoured cars to main battle tanks. The OpFor personnel facing the 1 MERCIAN Battlegroup consisted of ‘Men-In-Blue’ militia with AK family personal weapons, supported by well-trained ‘Little Green Men’. The

now quite widely used term Little Green Men (Malen’kiye Zelenyye Chelovechki), which was coined during the 2014 annexation of Crimea and subsequent insurgency into Eastern Ukraine, refers to masked uniformed men supplied by another government wearing neither

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Images © Bob Morrison

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17 17: FGM-148 Javelin LFATGWS (Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon System) during the live-re armoured infantry assault phase - range is 2,500 metres 18: The NLAW (Nextgeneration Light Anti-tank Weapon) is a disposable short range antiarmour missile which can knock out a main battle tank out to 600 metres 19: Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks ring on the move - primary armament is the L30A1120mm ried gun and secondary is a coaxial 7.62mm L94A1 chain gun

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20: Cap badge of The Mercian Regiment - a Mercian Eagle in silver and gold metal on Lincoln Green cloth

rank nor identifying unit insignia, who assist and advise irregular forces and militia during an insurrection. The use of these role-players and their supporting armour, plus their different tactics, is intended to bring added authenticity to training exercises. The actions covered in these accompanying photographs show the battlegroup rst conducting an obstacle crossing operation, after recce elements including ISTAR assets have identied a route through an enemy mineeld which could be exploited using integral armoured engineer assets, then a breakout force conducting a forward passage of lines (FPOL) through the bridgehead force to assault OpFor positions. The initial action mostly took place a little over two kilometres from our camera position, roughly 30 metres behind the trenches which, on safety grounds, we were not allowed to move from during the advance. The live-re images at the end of the article were taken during the Defensive action.

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1 PWRR VJTF(L) BATTLE GROUP

ARMOURED

TIGERS

Exercise VENERABLE GAUNTLET took place on the Sennelager Training Area in Germany between 4th and 24th September 2016. The multinational manoeuvres, which involved troops from 14 nations, saw the validation of the Headquarters of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Land) for 2017, which will be centred around that of the Germany-based 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (The Iron Fist) of the British Army. This brigade will also provide major elements of the combat forces for VJTF(L) 17, including an armoured infantry battlegroup centred around the 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, nicknamed the ‘Armoured Tigers’.

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he Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Land) forms the spearhead of the land forces of the NATO Response Force. After being alerted, the VJTF(L) can deploy its rst elements within 48 hours to conduct operations across the full military mission spectrum, from providing humanitarian aid after a

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approximately 5,000 troops. These battlegroups include light infantry, mechanised infantry and armoured infantry assets. The armoured infantry battle group of the British-led VJTF(L) 17 is provided by the 1st Battalion of the The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, based at Barker Barracks in Basically the VJTF(L) is a Paderborn, Germany. This formation is multinational brigade that can one of two armoured infantry battalions eld up to ve manoeuvre commanded by 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade. battlegroups and numbers During the 2014 Wales summit NATO leaders agreed to establish the VJTF as a key part of the enhanced NATO Response Force

natural disaster to conducting counter insurgency operations to ghting full scale conventional wars. It can also be deployed for deterrence, in order to prevent the outbreak of hostilities or for stabilisation purposes.

01: The VJTF(L) 17 armoured infantry battle group will be provided by 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment based in Paderborn one of only six remaining British Army armoured infantry battalions

01 Report & Images by

CARL SCHULZE

02: From the undergrowth of a wood on Sennelager Training Area a sniper from the Armoured Tigers provides cover for infantrymen that have just dismounted from their FV510 Warriors

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03: The Anti-Tank Platoon of the Fire Support Company of 1 PWRR is mounted on FV510 Warrior AIFVs and equipped with Javelin Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon systems 04: With top cover sentries deployed an FV510 Warrior AIFV of 1 PWRR can be seen here during an advance to contact operation carried out in wooded terrain

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05: The main weapon system of the 1 PWRR is the Warrior AIFV - the vehicle is armed with a 30mm L21A1 RARDEN automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm L94A1 Chain Gun 06: A section leader of dismounted troops exchanges information on possible enemy positions with the crew of a Warrior AIFV - note his laser simulation equipment

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07: An FV107 Scimitar 235 CVR(T) deploys to a new position during a reconnaissance mission - the Recce Platoon of the Fire Support Company of 1 PWRR is equipped with eight Scimitar 235 CVR(T)

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and is part of the Adaptable Force. The regiment also includes an Army Reserve Light Infantry battalion, headquartered in Canterbury, namely the 3rd Battalion PWRR.

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THE BATTALION

The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment was formed in 1992 through the amalgamation of The Queen’s Regiment and The Royal Hampshire Regiment. Nicknamed the ‘Armoured Tigers’,

from the Royal Tiger on the Regimental Colours, the 1st Battalion of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment is the only one serving in the armoured infantry role and is part of the Reaction Force. The 2nd Battalion, or 2 PWRR, is a Light Role battalion currently based in Cyprus

Under the Army 2020 structure 1 PWRR is one of the only six remaining Armoured Infantry battalions of the British Army. It numbers some 730 troops and is structured into a Headquarters Company, three Armoured Infantry Companies (A, B and C) and a Fire Support Company. Among other assets, the Headquarters Company includes the Main HQ, the Tactical HQ, the Regimental Aid Post, the REME Light Aid Detachment and the A1 and A2 Echelons as well as the B Echelon.

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Images © Carl Schulze

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british forces 03 08: The armament of the Challenger 2 MBT consists of a 120mm L30A1 ried tank gun, a coaxial 7.62mm L94A1 Chain Gun and a 7.62mm L7A2 GPMG machinegun plus a 66mm smoke grenade discharger system. 09: This Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle belonging to C Company, 1 PWRR is tted with a Remote Controlled Weapon Station on which a 7.62mm L7A2 GPMG is mounted 10: Armed with a Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon infantrymen of 1 PWRR engage enemy light armoured vehicles after dismounting from a Warrior AIFV - NLAW has an operational range of up to 600m

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11: After dismounting a Warrior a 1 PWRR soldier of engages enemy positions with his SA80 A2 tted with the Raytheon ELCAN SpecterOS 4× Lightweight Day Sights and Shield Close Quarter Battlesight atop 12: A Warrior AIFV of 1 PWRR rushes forward in order to close in with an enemy position and deliver its load of armoured infantrymen 13: The armoured st of the 1 PWRR VJTF(L) Battle Group is provided by 18 Challenger 2 main battle tanks of Sennelager-based C Squadron of The Queen’s Royal Hussars (The Queen’s Own and Royal Irish).

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09 The Armoured Infantry Companies are each subdivided into three Armoured Infantry Platoons equipped with four FV510 Warrior AIFVs each, the Company HQ equipped with two FV511 Warrior Command Vehicles and the REME Fitter Section. The Fire Support Company is subdivided into the Company HQ, the Assault Pioneer Platoon, the Mortar Platoon equipped with nine 81mm L16A2 mortars mounted on FV432 Mk3 Bulldog mortar carriers, the Sniper Platoon, the Recce Platoon equipped with eight FV107 Scimitar 235 CVR(T)s and the Anti-Tank Platoon equipped with two FV511 Warrior command vehicles, nine FV510 Warrior AIFVs and several

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Javelin Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon (LF ATGW) systems, as well as a Fitter Section.

VJTF(L) BATTLE GROUP

1 PWRR deployed onto Exercise VENERABLE GAUNTLET (VEGT16) minus its B Company. In turn, however, it was assigned C Squadron from The Queen’s Royal Hussars (The Queen’s Own and Royal Irish), equipped with 18 Challenger 2 main battle tanks. Also assigned under command of the battalion was C Company of the Estonian Scoutspataljon, equipped with Sisu XA-188 wheeled armoured personnel carriers.

During the exercise, close engineer support for the 1 PWRR VJTF(L) Battle Group was provided by 35 Engineer Regiment while indirect re support was provided by 155mm AS90 selfpropelled howitzers and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) of 26 Regiment Royal Artillery, as well as a battery of 105 mm L118 Light Guns of the Spanish Army.

FROM FAMILIARISATION TO COMBAT OPS

Once all elements of the 1 PWRR VJTF(L) Battle Group had deployed to Sennelager Training Area for Ex. VENERABLE GAUNTLET, the rst week was spent conducting familiarisation training. During this the British and Estonian troops were introduced to each other’s kit, with the Estonians for example being briefed on the FV510 Warrior AIFV and the Brits being given possibility to take a look at the Sisu XA188 wheeled armoured personnel carrier. A certain degree of team spirit was also established through participation in combined sports events. This time was

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also spent establishing working lines of communication, setting up a functional command structure and aligning Standing Operational Procedures. The familiarisation training was followed by a brigade level Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Fire Power

Demonstration in which the 1 PWRR VJTF(L) Battle Group played a major part. We will look at the battlegroup in action during this phase of VEGT16 in the next issue of the magazine. The last days of the exercise then were spent by the battlegroup conducting force-on-force training, with other elements of the VJTF(L) serving as enemy forces. As part of this training, 1 PWRR conducted defensive and offensive combat operations, such as advancing to contact, attacking an enemy-held objective, crossing obstacles and ghting a delaying battle. Some of the combat training also saw the battlegroup deploying to the different training villages on the Sennelager Training Area, where they were forced to make use of their skills in Fighting In Built-Up Areas. The cooperation between the British and Estonian troops was generally smooth. This is no surprise, taking into account that in the past soldiers of both nations worked together ghting the Taliban in the Helmand Province of Southern Afghanistan.

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 27

Images © Carl Schulze

“THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND ESTONIAN TROOPS WAS GENERALLY SMOOTH.”

Images © Carl Schulze

british forces 03 14: A Challenger 2 MBT of C Squadron, The Queen’s Royal Hussars (The Queen’s Own and Royal Irish) advances during force on force training 15: An Estonian soldier of the Scoutspataljon (Eesti Scouts) provides cover while his comrades dismount form a Sisu XA-188 wheeled armoured personnel carrier 16: The Estonian company from the Scoutspataljon attached to the 1 PWRR during Exercise VENERABLE GAUNTLET employed Sisu XA-188 wheeled armoured personnel carriers

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JUST ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT

For the soldiers of 1 PWRR, Exercise VENERABLE GAUNTLET was just another highlight in their Training Year and the preparation for their task as Armoured Infantry Battle Group of the VJTF(L) 17, which they will assume in early 2017. The training year started for them with a large amount of collective training at platoon and company level, including live re exercises. Then followed collective training at battlegroup level conducted at the British Army Training Unit Sufeld (BATUS) in Canada, including all arms battle group live re battle runs. On return form BATUS, VENERABLE GAUNTLET then provided the ‘Armoured Tigers’ with an opportunity to train alongside their NATO partners and within a multinational environment.

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kit + camo

LEGIÓN

ESPAÑOLA

SPAIN’S 09 EJÉRCITO DE CAMUFLAJE PIXELADO

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Article & Images by

BOB MORRISON

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 31

kit + camo

Images © Bob Morrison

We briey covered Spain’s M09 Ejército De Camuaje Pixelado, or Army Pixellated Camouage introduced in 2009, in the May 2016 issue of C&S where we illustrated how the pattern appeared to be derived from Crye Precision’s commercial MultiCam but with dierent colours. Our observations were made when covering the multinational Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE ‘15 at the CENAD Chinchilla and San Gregorio training areas.

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hen in Spain in November 2015 we were unable to photograph a soldier in the standard poses, as those we worked with in Chinchilla were primarily roleplaying as local villagers so not in full uniform and there was insufcient time between the end of the dynamic display at San Gregorio and the departure of my US Air National Guard C-130 lift from Zaragoza down to Lisbon. However

while out in Germany in September 2016 to cover Exercise VENERABLE GAUNTLET, one of the Spanish Legion (Legión Española) contingent kindly agreed to pose for us in full kit alongside his VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico) High Mobility Tactical Vehicle. With hindsight, and having now had several opportunities to closely

examine the new US OCP (Operational Camouage Pattern) based on an earlier Crye design and sometimes called Scorpion W2, I reckon that M09 Ejército De Camuaje Pixelado might actually be based on the original and discarded Crye Scorpion pattern offered to the US Army early in the last decade. Like the M09 design, the original Scorpion pattern had none of the twig-like verticals introduced for the commercial MultiCam pattern. The M09 camo colours, however, are much closer to the mid-80s Boscosos pattern worn by the Legion.

The Spanish Legion, founded in 1920, is the backbone of the country’s Rapid Reaction Force. Although in some ways originally similar to the French Foreign Legion, in that it mostly fought overseas, unlike the French the Spanish recruited few foreigners into La Legión. Regarded as an elite military force and a highly disciplined force, the Spanish Legion both contributes to NATO peacekeeping and deterrence missions and provides garrisons for Spain’s North African exclaves. The Legionnaires pictured here wear M09 pattern uniform but helmet covers etc. in Boscosos pattern.

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marching ammo

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Whenever the C&S team gets the ch chance, hance we pi pick ick ku up p a rration ation pack not previously covered in this long-running occasional series while we are working with armed forces on exercise or deployment. On Exercise STORM TIDE III in Belgium, Carl was able to secure us one of the ration packs issued to Belgian Commandos but, rather than being home-produced, as anticipated, it turned out to be French.

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e rst featured the French Ration de Combat Individuelle Rechauffable (Individual Reheatable Combat Ration) or RICR in our January 2009 issue, which was the second part in this series. The two cartons featured back then had been picked up during Exercise NORTHERN LIGHT ’03, when 1ère Compagnie of the 21éme Regiment d’Infanterie de Marine (21RIMa) were in Scotland participating in a multinational amphibious landing and peaceenforcing exercise and had sat on a props shelf for over ve years.

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The 2018 expiry date Menu No. 3 RICR pack featured here, which Carl picked up in June in Belgium, is externally almost identical to the French 2004 expiry date Menu No. 7 and Menu No.11 packs, but it does not have ‘FRENCH ARMY’ and ‘NATO APPROUVED’ [sic] markings, and the French language equivalent, on the longer sides though it does have ‘PRECAUTIONS BEFORE USE’ instructions printed in both French and English on one side. On the base of the carton are address details for ELOCA, the French MoD organisation responsible for rations, rather than the 14-Menu list found on the 2004 dated samples. The top of the current carton is near

01:: Elite Belgian 0 01 n Commandos Co C omm omm man ndo dos on Ex. STORM TIDE III were issued with combat rations [© Carl Schulze] 02: The Ration de Combat Individuelle Rechauffable carton is protected by a clear plastic outer 03: Pack is supplied by ELOCA (Etablissements LOgistiques du Commissariat des Armées) Paris 04: The two Menu 3 main dish ring-pull cans are Chicken Tabbouleh (left) and Lamb Stew 05: Top opened and folded back to display contents - pack weight is around 1800g 06: Secondary Menu 3 cans contain processed cheese (left) and sardine llets in olive oil 07: There are eight twin packs of foil wrapped biscuits - four sweet and four salted 08: The only menu items in pouches are chocolate muesli and curry avoured soup powder

Images © Bob Morrison

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“I WAS CONFIDENT THAT THIS RCIR WOULD BE GOOD QUALITY AND TASTY AS THE FRENCH PRIDE THEMSELVES ON THEIR CUISINE. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.”

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FRENCH

RCIR The Be C

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identical to the earlier featured ones, with contents list in both French and and English, and it has ‘FRENCH ARMY’ an ‘NO RESALE’ in both languages below the lists. The contents of the current Menu No.3 are not too different from the packs we looked at back in 2009, with the only real changes being that some of the packaging appears to be more commercial; use of familiar commercial brands rather than plain military packaging is quite commonplace for most NATO armies these days. As before, the current RCIR relies heavily on cans rather than retort pouches or freeze-dried sachets, and a Reheating Kit with fold-up cooker, Esbit hexamine fuel tablets and safety matches is included. The two main meal cans in our pack were NAVARIN D’AGNEAU (Lamb Casserole) and TABOULE VOLAILLE (Chicken Tabbouleh) and the other

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 35

marching ammo

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12 09: From left - isotonic drink powder, brew/ accessory pack and apricot jam sachet 10: Contents of brew pack include hot chocolate, 2x coffee, 2x tea, 2x sugar and 2x salt & pepper

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11: Plain pack of white tissues and boxed Heating Kit by Esbit with contents printed on front 12: Clockwise from top left - 2x Energy Bar, Chocolate Bar, Fruit Jelly and Fruit Nougat 13: Heating Kit - 6x Fuel Tablets, Cooker, Folding Spoon, Bin Bag, Handle, Aquatabs & Matches

tins contained FILETS DE SARDINES (Sardine Fillets in Olive Oil) as a starter plus FROMAGE FONDU (Processed Cheese) for spreading on biscuits. There are sixteen biscuits supplied, four pairs salted and four pairs sweet, just like the last RCIR we reviewed, but this time

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14: Folder Cooker with Fuel Tablet, Meal Can with folded Handle and unfolded Spoon atop 15: The Lamb Stew or Navarin D’ Agneau with the tiny spoon and a salt & pepper sachet

rather than being cellophane wrapped each pair is foil wrapped and they are packed in a commercial brand outer carton. The two main items in pouches, rather than cans, are freeze-dried chocolate muesli and powdered soup (curry avour) which each require hot water to reconstitute. The brew kit, consisting of 2x coffee, 2x tea, 1x hot chocolate and 2x sugar is shrink-wrapped in plastic with 2x salt & pepper sachets also included. There is also a separate orange energy drink powder sachet. For snacking, the pack contains 2x energy bars, a fruit nougat bar, a jellied fruit bar, and a chocolate bar - all commercial brands - plus there is a sachet of fruit jam for spreading on the biscuits or just sucking for an energy boost. The French KIT DE RECHAUFFAGE (Reheating Kit) contained in a white card carton consists of a galvanised pressed metal fold-up eld cooker, a fold-up can handle

made of similar material, two packs of three hexamine fuel tablets, a pack of six water sterilising tablets, a box of safety matches, a black bin bag for waste, and the smallest folding spork I have ever come across. This last tiny item is going in my survival tin as one day I might just need it and it takes up next to no space. The only other component in this 24 hour ration pack, which tips the scales just under 1.8kg, was a pack of tissues. There are some military ration packs which I have taste tested with a degree of trepidation and one, the poor condition Angolan pack which Andy from East-West Trading magicked up, which I have reviewed, but declined to eat. I was condent, however, that this RCIR would be good quality and tasty as the French pride themselves on their cuisine. I was not disappointed. The lamb casserole, which I heated on the eld cooker, was very tasty indeed, but the tabbouleh, which is intended to be eaten cold, was absolutely superb. Footnote: Over the last year or so we have had a bit of a run on ration articles but the bergen is now empty and this series may go dormant again for a few months until we manage to pick up something new.

Images © Bob Morrison

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BRITISH ARMY MTP SPECIAL FORCES WEBBING

Almost 50% lighter than standard webbing. Almost 50% smaller than standard webbing (Pack size) Cost almost 50% less than standard webbing. From only £94.95 But still has the same robust quality as the standard webbing. Made in the UK. „ This webbing is ultra lightweight and will pack away in its own stu sack attached to the underside of the belt. „ The belt is padded for comfort and has a 60 mm quick release buckle. „ The yoke has the standard 6 point fasteners and is laser cut to take extra molle pouches. „ It is available in 2 sizes „ Regular to t waist 30” plus, This has 2 utility pouches and 2 double ammo pouches. „ Large to t waist 36” plus, This has 3 utility pouches and 2 double ammo pouches.

www.militarykit.com

airborne forces

01: 25th September 2016, 08:27. Paratroopers of the 8e Régiment de Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marine are dropped into Rastibel Drop Zone of the Camp Caylus Training Area 02: Dangling under his Ensemble de Parachutage du Combattant, a French paratrooper of the 1er Règiment de Chasseurs Parachutists descends to the Rastibel Drop Zone 03: French paratroopers of the 11e Brigade Parachutiste are dropped by a C-160 Transall transport aircraft of the Armée de l’Air 04: Employing the T-11 Personnel Parachute System, US paratroopers are dropped over Rastibel Drop Zone of the Camp Caylus Training Area. 05: Vehicles were also parachuted in as part of the Heavy Drop phase - here a Véhicule Aéromobile Logistique Auverland A3F light truck descends under three massive cargo parachutes 06: With the Drop Zone secured supplies and equipment were parachuted in, including a complete Poste Médical 2014 (medical station) 07: Armed with a MISTRAL man portable short range surface to air missile system soldiers of the 35e Régiment d’Artillerie Parachutiste protect the Drop Zone

COLIBRI IL 01

French-led Multinational Exercise Exercise COLIBRI IL, the sux being 49 in Roman numerals, took place in SouthWestern France on the Camp Caylus Training Area between the 16th and 30th of September 2016. This multinational airborne exercise involved about 1,000 troops from France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. C&S followed this long-established French invitational exercise in order to brief readers on its scope.

25TH SEPTEMBER, 2016, 08:27, CAMP CAYLUS TRAINING AREA.

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Shortly before hitting the ground the French paratroopers of the 8e Régiment de Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marine (8e RPIMa) release their kit bags and prepare for the parachute landing fall. Seconds later they have safely arrived on the ground. Staying low they hastily pull their containers (kit bags) towards them, unpack their weapons, get rid of the harnesses of their parachute equipment, put on

their webbing and then shoulder their rucksacks. Speed is what matters in this part of an airborne operation, and only minutes later the rst sections and platoons have gathered on the South-Western edge of the Drop Zone. They are now combat ready to repulse any attack and to execute their rst combat mission. It is also here that the para-dropped forces

Images © Carl Schulze

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t troop dropping speed and at a height of 400 metres, or roughly 1,300 feet, the C-160 Transall and the CN-235 Casa transport aircraft pass over the Rastibel Drop Zone of the Camp Caylus Training Area to deliver their human cargo. Just seconds later the sky is lled with parachutes that quickly descend to the grassland below.

Report & Images by

CARL SCHULZE 08:58, JEAN COUSY VILLAGE. Not half an hour after the paratroopers of 8e RPIMa have dropped in, the assault begins on the village. While soldiers armed with 5.56mm Minimi light machineguns provide covering re others break the cover of a tree line and rush forward to the rst building. They are greeted by well aimed small arms re of the ARG ghters. But the momentum of the attack is too strong and one militia ghter after the other is neutralised. Within minutes the rst building is in the hands of the French paratroopers. With a foothold gained the paratroopers now begin to clear one building after another.

11:43, JEAN COUSY VILLAGE. With the French paratroopers of the 8e RPIMa continuing to ght their way through the village, in the meantime

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the second wave of paratroopers has been dropped in. They belong to the 5. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger regiment 26. For Exercise COLIBRI IL this company of Germans is assigned to 8e RPIMa. Like previously their French comrades, the Germans quickly gather after touching the ground and now are ready to join in the attack on Jean Cousy Village. Using the French-held building as a start-line the Germans add an additional punch to the attack. Soon the streets of the village echo from the gunre of 7.62mm MG3 machineguns and 5.56mm G36 assault ries. By now the ARG ghters have realised that they will not stand a chance against the massed French and German paratroopers and begin a hasty retreat.

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link up with members of Groupement des Commandos Parachutistes (GCP) of the 11e Brigade Parachutiste (11 BP) and the Fallschirmspezialzug of Fallschirmjäger regiment 26. These French and German pathnders had jumped in 24 hours earlier, reconnoitred the drop zone, secured it and marked it. They had also gathered up-to-date intelligence on the Auverganda Resistance Group (ARG) ghters at the Jean Cousy Village, some 20 buildings on the Eastern edge of the Drop Zone. It is the mission of 8e RPIMa to neutralise these insurgents after being dropped in, in order to fully secure the DZ and allow the deployment of additional waves of paratroopers.

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COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 39

airborne forces

08 This airborne assault on Camp Caylus Training Area and the following attack on Jean Cousy Village marked the beginning of the combat phase of Exercise COLIBRI IL.

Images © Carl Schulze

FRENCH, GERMAN, SPANISH, UK & US TROOPS

The rst exercise of the COLIBRI series took place in 1962, and since then these exercises were conducted in turn in France and Germany; the one conducted in 2016 being the 49th of the airborne exercises. Initially a Franco-German affair, the COLIBRI was established in order to improve the development of the airborne forces of the two nations and at the same time benet their cooperation. With the end of World War II only 17 years before, these exercises were also part of a series of condence-building measures decided by the governments

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of France and Germany to overcome the status of their two countries as hereditary enemies. Often the COLIBRI exercises were also used to enter uncharted political or military waters. In 1993, for example, COLIBRI XXX was the rst exercise during which German forces trained for a non-combatant evacuation operation. The 2009 exercise, COLIBRI XLII, was the rst of the series that saw the participation of the airborne forces of additional nations to that of France and Germany, in particular those of Spain and Belgium. The 2016 edition of the exercise involved French, German and Spanish paratroopers and, for the rst time, airborne forces from Britain and the USA.

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER REGIMENT 26

The bulk of the 150-strong German contingent was formed around the reinforced 5. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger

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08: Six 155mm M777 Light Towed Howitzers from C Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment of the US Army provided indirect re support to the multinational task force 09: The ghters of the Auverganda Resistance Group (ARG) were played by troops of the 4e Régiment Ètranger of the French Foreign Legion 10: A paratrooper of the 1er Règiment de Chasseurs Parachutists waves a ag on the edge of the Drop Zone to mark the rendezvous point for the troops just parachuted in 11: High Mobility Engineer Excavators from A Company, 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion lled in craters on a dirt strip that would later serve as a runway for incoming resupply ights 12: Some 300 US soldiers took part on Exercise COLIBRI IL - these paratroopers belong to A Company, 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion. 13: Britain sent a platoon of Gurkhas from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Ries which serves as air assault infantry unit with 16 Air Assault Brigade 14: After parachuting into Camp Caylus Training Area a Spanish paratrooper prepares himself for combat - he is armed with a 5.56mm H&K G36E assault rie 15: Spain participated on Exercise COLIBRI IL with a 115-strong airborne infantry company from the III. Bandera de Infantería Protegida of Brigada Paracaidista VI

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26 also took part in the exercise. This platoon formed a pathnder unit together with the Groupement des Commandos Parachutistes (GCP) elements of the 11e Brigade Parachutiste (11 BP). The Franco-German pathnder unit was commanded directly by the HQ of the 11 BP.

14 regiment 26, which during the exercise was structured into the company HQ, three airborne infantry platoons (A, B and C) and two sniper teams. Two service dog handler teams, two Joint Fire Support Teams, two airborne engineer teams and three medical teams reinforced the company. For the duration of the exercise the company was assigned under the command of the 8e RPIMa. The Fallschirmspezialzug (Pathnder Platoon) of Fallschirmjäger regiment

The German Air Force supported the exercise with one C-160 Transall transport aircraft.

III. BANDERA DE INFANTERÍA PROTEGIDA Spain participated in the exercise with a 115-strong airborne infantry company from the III. Bandera de Infantería Protegida ‘Ortiz de Zárate’ of the Brigada Paracaidista ‘Almogávares’ VI, based in Murcia. During the exercise the company fell under command of the French 1er Règiment de Chasseurs Parachutists (1 RCP).

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 41

airborne forces

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GURKHAS

The British contingent participating on the exercise consisted of an air-assault infantry platoon numbering 36 troops. It was provided by A (Amboor) Company of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Ries. During the exercise this platoon was assigned to the 3e Compagnie de Combat of the 1er Règiment de Chasseurs Parachutists. We will cover the Gurkhas in more depth next month.

173RD AIRBORNE BRIGADE

The US contingent on COLIBRI IL numbered some 300 troops of units of the Vicenza-based 173rd Airborne Brigade ‘Sky Soldiers’. Personnel deployed were the bulk of A Company, 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion and most of C Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment.

16: The bulk of the 150-strong German contingent that took part on Exercise COLIBRI IL was provided by 5. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger regiment 26 17: Following the parachute drops the DZ was converted into an aireld and more personnel and equipment were own in - here a CN-235 Casa transport aircraft has just delivered French troops 18: Insignia of the 11e Brigade Parachutiste - in September 2016 this French airborne brigade hosted Exercise COLIBRI IL in SouthWestern France

Heavy equipment deployed with the US troops included, among other assets, six 155mm M777 Light Towed Howitzers and a High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE). A C-130H Hercules from the 153rd Airlift Wing of the Wyoming Air National Guard also took part in the exercise.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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Images © Carl Schulze

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Article & Images by

BOB MORRISON

multinational command

01: A tented HQ complex comprising more than 30 structures with ooring and wiring was built by the NATO Support Battalion inside 16 days [© NATO: WO2 Daniel Harmer] 02: Main Street inside the fully functional Class 2 area of the complex - we were allowed inside but on security grounds had to leave cameras outside [© NATO: Sgt M O’Neill]

Images © Bob Morrison [unless otherwise noted]

ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS 2017 NATO RESPONSE FORCE HQ

From January 2017 the UK-led multinational Allied Rapid Reaction Corps takes over from Joint Force Command Brunssum as the Land Forces HQ of the NATO Response Force. In September and October the ARRC HQ deployed from its Gloucester base to RAF St. Mawgan in Cornwall, rst on Exercise ARCADE CHARGER and then on Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE ‘16, for certication and validation prior to assuming its upcoming mission.

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ollowing the end of the Cold War and the subsequent disbandment of the Warsaw Pact in 1991, in mid 1992 [Western] European Union defence ministers agreed at a conference, in Petersberg in the recently reunited Germany, to deploy their troops and resources to undertake military tasks of a “humanitarian, disarming, peacekeeping and peacemaking nature”. That October, the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps was founded with a core mission to redeploy and reinforce within Allied

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COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 45

multinational command 03

Command Europe and to conduct these Petersberg Tasks outside of NATO territory. From its inception the United Kingdom has led the Headquarters of the ARRC, which was rst deployed operationally in Bosnia in 1995 and subsequently played a major part in implementing the Dayton Peace Accords. Today the ARRC HQ, based at Imjin Barracks in Gloucester, is a NATO High Readiness Force (Land) Headquarters on standby for deployment worldwide within ve to thirty days. Its deployable HQ infrastructure and communications are provided by 1st [UK] Signal Brigade, which prepares and generates forces held at high states of readiness to support current and future operations around the world. The major components of this brigade are three Royal Signals

05 Images © Bob Morrison [unless otherwise noted]

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06 regiments, Nos. 22, 30 and 299 (Special Communications), plus the ARRC Support Battalion which provides “a bespoke and resilient staff working environment which can be deployed anywhere in the world at short notice”.

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In September the ARRC HQ was mobilised on Exercise ARCADE CHARGER and its Support Battalion rapidly packed and deployed two hundred miles South-West, inside just twelve hours, to create a deployable Corps-level headquarters and

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03: The blue ag ying over the HQ alongside the green ARRC ag belongs to the high readiness Gloucester-based 1 [UK] Signals Brigade [© NATO: Sgt M O’Neill] 04: Perimeter security for the high readiness and highly sensitive deployed ARRC Headquarters was provided by armed troops from The Mercian Regiment [© Bob Morrison] 05: Lt Gen Tim Radford DSO OBE - the ARRC Commander since July 2016 - is seen here talking to Italian and Estonian Headquarters personnel [© NATO: unknown] 06: Entrance to the Class 2 area before exiting this tent all cameras and mobile phones had to be handed in and weapons unloaded [© NATO: Sgt M O’Neill] 07: The rst ARRC Commander, the then Lt Gen Jeremy Mackenzie, alongside his deputy the Italian Maj Gen Ficuciello, at the initial FTX in March 1993 [© Bob Morrison] 08: In addition to the ARRC HQ complex at RAF St. Mawgan (background) the Support Battalion also constructed a tented accommodation village [© NATO: unknown] 09: Typical scene inside one of the headquarters cells - although the HQ is mostly British over 500 personnel from 20 other nations are involved [© NATO: Sgt M O’Neill] 10: Inside the ARRC Headquarters during its rst eld exercise in 1993 in Germany - note not a single computer screen to be seen inside the basic tent [© Bob Morrison]

accommodation complex for it to occupy and work in for this exercise and the followon TRIDENT JUNCTURE validation phase. The UK’s 22 Signal Regiment, which is tasked to deliver Information Communication Systems to the ARRC HQ at both their permanent base in Gloucester and when deployed on exercises or on operations overseas, speedily moved into its new home. The ARRC Support Battalion’s Transport Troop commander,

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 47

multinational command

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When the deployed HQ was fully operational over 500 servicemen and women from the UK and 20 other nations tested systems, built teams, and pushed their decision processes as a headquarters staff on Ex. ARCADE CHARGER, before Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE 16 commenced on 24th October for certication of the ARRC as a NATO Land Forces HQ in preparation for its role as part of the NATO Response Force in 2017. That same day C&S was allowed right inside the HQ to observe, though on security grounds we were not permitted to photograph inside the secure Class 2 area.

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11: German, UK and US ofcers during a wargame session as part of the Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE 16 phase of the ARRC deployment [© NATO: WO2 Daniel Harmer] 12: The ARC Support Battalion also built and manned a cookhouse which prepared three hearty meals a day for over 500 exercise personnel [© NATO: Sgt M O’Neill] 13: The UK Secretary of State for Defence, Sir Michael Fallon KCB, arrived at the ARRC HQ in this Jaguar Sentinel for briengs while we were visiting [© Bob Morrison] 14: The SoS was given a series of briengs and a visit to the ARRC Combined Joint Operation Centre for a detailed overview of the exercise [© NATO: WO2 Daniel Harmer]

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Images © Bob Morrison [unless otherwise noted]

a lieutenant, who led the build is on the record as saying: “We pack it up, transport it, and we work with the engineers and signals, construct the area then secure and maintain it. We’ve got a lot of experience here. Some of the lads have been doing this for about four years now so they know, probably better than I do, how the tents go together and how quickly they can go together.”

UK Equipment

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IN FOCUS LOAD CARRIAGE EQUIPMENT 02

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Images © Bob Morrison

VIRTUS

01: VIRTUS Belt with yoke, seen from the back, on top of Vest with Cobra Helmet to right 02: Back of VIRTUS Vest (right) and upside down Cobra Helmet (left) daysack is non-issue 03: Inside views of VIRTUS Belt (at top) with opened Vest between it and Cobra Helmet 04: Looking down on, from top of frame, Cobra Helmet, VIRTUS Vest and VIRTUS Belt 05: VIRTUS Vest viewed from front the vest quick release mechanism is at top right

Urban Survival

Article & Images by

JASON POLLEY Images © Jason Polley [unless otherwise noted]

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We all think other people are kidnapped, snatched whilst abroad, or taken hostage on a foreign ight. Well, those ‘others’ thought the same. Wise-up to precautions you can take to minimise being taken, whether as a kidnap victim for ransom, or snatched opportunistically by terrorists and perhaps beheaded to promote a cause. Take your personal safety seriously and heighten your awareness of the risks and survival techniques.

KIDNAP RISKS THE RISKS

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o not assume only the wealthy are the victims of kidnap. European students on a shoestring budget have been kidnapped in South America in the past. Their parents were then contacted and forced to sell their home and car to pay a ransom before the dazed student was tossed back. Proving you are a penniless orphan might simply mean your death, not release. As kidnap negotiations are often done secretly and publicity is minimised, it is hard to get exact gures, but it is estimated there are around 40,000 kidnappings annually generating around £500m in ransom payments. The high risk countries include: Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, the North West African countries, most of the Middle

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01: It is estimated globally there are 40,000 kidnappings annually - not all are rich businessmen or women 02: Fiction based on fact around £500m is believed exchanged in ransom payments every year 03: Be aware would-be kidnappers will watch high end shops for potential targets to snatch or follow 04: As companies take out K&R cover kidnappers know a pay-out from abducting an employees is likely - this is a training scenario [© Bob Morrison]

East, Pakistan and many of the former Soviet Union countries in Eastern Europe. Snatching Western employees or tourists is seen as routine and usually protable. As some international companies routinely take out kidnap and ransom (K&R) cover, the kidnappers know a pay-out from abducting one of their employees is likely in many cases.

PLAN AHEAD Do your homework and see if your destination is a high kidnap risk place. Check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Ofce, but also consider asking for a professional threat analysis from one of the companies that can provide K&R cover, such as Hiscox, AIG or Lloyds. K&R cover will provide the ransom money to a certain level,

02 plus the services of a negotiator. (It may not be Russell Crowe.)

03

“AVOID SHOPS AND AREAS OF THE TOWN WHERE FOREIGNERS GO, SUCH AS HIGH END STORES AND THE EMBASSY DISTRICTS.” 04

Make sure key friends and family know where you are going and agree codewords to subtly alert them to the fact you have been kidnapped and are having to write/ speak under threat. It may be in your interests to hide your nationality and use an alternative passport if at all possible. Using a passport from a relatively neutral country like Canada or Ireland may be far better to use in certain parts of the world than a British or American passport. Don’t book into the ve star hotels and/ or travel rst class everywhere. You will attract unwanted attention. Give your itinerary to a few trusted friends and family - not the world and his dog - i.e. remember some who peruse social media can be antisocial.

PRECAUTIONS

Vary your routines, change the types of

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 53

Images © Jason Polley [unless otherwise noted]

Urban Survival

05

KIDNAPRISKS 06 transport you use, even change your appearance and clothes. Blend in and do not wear a ashy watch and very obvious Western clothing and silly sunglasses. Avoid shops and areas of the town where foreigners go, such as high end stores and the embassy districts. Would-be kidnappers will be scanning these places for likely targets. Let trusted friends know your movements so absences and delays can be acted upon quickly. Anticipate being kidnapped and have a contingency plan in place. If using any form of public transport – from planes to trains – do not sit in an aisle seat. Although statistically safer in the event of an accident, it is from these seats that a hijacker or terrorist will pull a hostage. To show they mean business, you may be shot or used as a shield or bargaining chip as the situation develops. Sit by the window if travelling through a high risk country or region.

54 | COMBAT & SURVIVAL

07 Go grey, do not make eye conduct, and think yourself invisible. Where possible, hide evidence of any wealth or of being foreign. A Western hostage has great propaganda value to some groups and will attract the attention and publicity they may be seeking. Carry a tiny SOS alarm linked to a GPS device that enables you to send an alert and then be tracked by your company or family if you are suddenly grabbed. See the products offered by trackershopuk.com and also thelightbug.com

CONDUCT ONCE KIDNAPPED The advice from former captives and the experts who negotiate with kidnappers is as follows: „ Do all you can to survive - be pro-active in looking after yourself physically and mentally; make your connement comfortable and stay positive. „ Don’t underestimate the efforts being made by

05: Be aware of any potential kidnap hotspots before you leave the country you are visiting 06: Be alert to kidnap risks and don’t get into the rst taxi on offer only use registered marked taxis and not minicabs 07: Check if your destination poses high kidnap risk this one currently does not but is only 30km from a country in civil war [© Bob Morrison] 08: Be suspicious of vans and people carriers pulling up beside you with doors open - they might be preparing to snatch you 09: Visits to your embassy might be noticed by terrorists and mark you out as a potential ransom target 10: A very good book by an expert in the eld

08

“DON’T BOOK INTO THE FIVE STAR HOTELS AND/ OR TRAVEL FIRST CLASS EVERYWHERE. YOU WILL ATTRACT UNWANTED ATTENTION.” 10 people working for you out of sight. „ Eat and drink what you can - you need the calories and need to remain hydrated in order to survive and perhaps escape. „ It is in the kidnapper’s interests you remain alive and well, so don’t be afraid to ask for medicines. „ Don’t be rude or aggressive towards the kidnappers - it could result in an early death or increase any violence towards you; be polite, comply with their requests, and give them no reason to focus on you. „ Do not make threats or promises, accept you are a prisoner and try to generate empathy; let them see you as a human being - it might lead to better treatment. „ If at all possible, create a routine and mark time; having any sort of structure in this situation will help you mentally. „ Do not look the terrorist or kidnapper in the eye, and don’t look too observant; you expose yourself to problems if they think you are trying to remember faces and details.

09

FURTHER READING

If you want to better understand what being kidnapped is like, in the hope it may better prepare you for such a situation, try one of the following: „ Kidnapped by Andrew J Clark - a collection of true accounts of real kidnappings over the years including details of the famous Patty Hearst kidnapping and that of John Paul Getty in 1973. „ The Sky is Always There by Camilla Carr and Jon James the story of their kidnapping whilst working in Chechnya during the late 1990s. „ A Long Walk Home by Judith Tebbutt - about surviving after being kidnapped by Somali pirates in 2011 „ The Hostage Rescue Manual by Leroy Thompson - excellent guide by an expert in the eld.

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 55

belt tools

ARMEX MULTITOOL Endorsed by Bare Tye

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udget-priced belt tools, of the type found in most street markets and many discount stores around the country, not to mention on sale from time to time as a ‘special offer’ in lling stations, do have their uses - or should that be use, as often they are robust enough for a single task only in your car toolbox or at the bottom of your bergen/rucksack. However, if you are going to carry a multi-purpose tool like this on your belt for repeat use over time you need to shell out a little bit more of your hard-earned beer (or possibly fruit smoothie) tokens. Investing in one of the top-of-the-

56 | COMBAT & SURVIVAL

range tools from the brand leaders will certainly pay dividends in the long run, and indeed my own treasured SUPER TOOL will be 20 years old next August, but there are occasions when carrying a less expensive alternative makes sense; especially if there is the possibility of losing it when adventuring or soldiering. At around half the price of some of the bigger name multi-tools, the ARMEX Bare Tye is a good value alternative with eight blades stowed in the skeletal handles of its spring-loaded, near snipenosed pliers. The handles are described by the distributor as being Matt Bronze, the plier jaws with wire-cutter blades

In the comparison photograph the folded Bare Tye Multi-Tool sits between my SOG PowerLock, left, and Leatherman SUPER TOOL. The new kid on the block is slightly shorter than either of the others, so blade length is a little shorter too, and it is slightly thicker than both. Weight is around 295g compared to 265g for the PowerLok and 250g for the SUPERTOOL. A black fabric pouch with belt loop on the back and velcro-type fastener is included and there are lanyard eyes at the base of the handles to stop it walking off. Many survival and military kit retail outlets around the UK are now stocking this new ARMEX belt tool.

Images © Bob Morrison

It is not often that a totally new brand of belt tool appears on the scene, so when last month we spotted the ARMEX advertisement for their new Multi-Tool, endorsed by survivalist ‘Bare Tye’, we were intrigued. Not only did this multi-tool look to have most of the blades necessary, but its advertised Typical Retail Price placed it midway between the low budget and high end belt tool models most readers should be familiar with.

are gunmetal and the locking blades are bright steel; the blade lock is a pivoting metal plate at the end of the opposite side of the handle from the blades. As for the blades, these are: clipped spearpoint knife; medium Phillips screwdriver; small at screwdriver; saw blade; double-sided le with large at screwdriver end; awl; medium at screwdriver; and combination can & bottle opener. Some blades have alternative uses giving added functionality.

vehicle focus

01

SUPACAT LRV 400/600 LIGHT RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE

On 24th September we broke the news on the combatandsurvival.com website that Supacat, the Devon-based military vehicle designers and manufacturers who produced the British Army’s JACKAL and COYOTE eet, had sprung a surprise at the 2016 DVD expo at Millbrook Proving Ground by displaying their 6x6 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (LRV 600) prototype. Based on the 4x4 LRV 400 Mk.2, the LRV 600 uses the company’s EXTENDA principle to add an easily removable third axle and loadbed module to increase cargo payload capabilities.

A

number of Special Forces formations around the world already use the EXTENDA variant of Supacat’s HMT 400, on which JACKAL is based, and indeed less than three weeks before DVD ‘16 it was announced that the New Zealand Ministry of Defence had awarded a contract to the company to deliver a quantity of the Special Operations Vehicle – Mobility Heavy (SOV-MH) variant for the New Zealand Defence Forces. The HMT 400/600 family, although transportable inside CH-47

58 | COMBAT & SURVIVAL

Chinook helicopters and similar, is actually quite a large and expensive four- to six-man vehicle, so the manufacturer is looking to to use the LRV 400/600 family to plug the gap in the SF/SpecOps market for smaller and less costly three-man vehicles left following the end of production of the Land Rover Defender. The rst evolution of the Supacat LRV made its début at the DSEi 2013 military expo, held in London’s Docklands. Very much a concept demonstrator, this slab-sided three-man light vehicle had

a space frame chassis with engine and driveline components taken from Land Rover’s Discovery range. Physically and dimensionally it appeared quite similar to the Defender 110 R-WMIK variant and was clearly intended to undertake the same type of duties. Roll forward two years to DSEi 2015, and the prototype LRV 400 Mk.1 had been superseded by the much more rened Mk.2 model, which also incorporated some proven elements of its older HMT/JACKAL sibling’s proven layout. This demonstrator looked much

Article & Images by

BOB MORRISON

Images © Bob Morrison [unless otherwise noted]

04

01: LRV 400 gently tackling NATO IMMLC obstacles intended for much larger vehicles 02: Supacat HMT 400 JACKAL - LRV 400 sibling is smaller and much less costly 03: The LRV 400 Mk.1 prototype unveiled at the DSEi 2013 expo

05

04: First sight of the LRV 400 Mk.2 prototype at the DSEi 2015 expo 05: The mature Mk.2 demonstrator at Eurosatory 2016 - spot the differences [© Carl Schulze] 06: The Mk.2 photographed six weeks after Eurosatory - demountable winch is not tted 07: The running board has now been removed and a foothold has been let into the bodywork

02

06

07

03

less Heath Robinson that the Mk.1 and we spotted a number of different overseas visitors wearing Special Forces and Special Operations uniforms looking over it in detail - and that was just a static variant. Over the course of the next few months the LRV 400 Mk.2 was tweaked slightly and put through numerous battleeld day test cycles to test its reliability.

For the next nine months we pestered Supacat, now the cornerstone of the SC Group, to be allowed to photograph the Mk.2 off-road, but its trials and private military demo calendar was so full that the opportunity did not present itself. Then, in June, while I was covering the second week of ANAKONDA ‘16 in Poland, the now matured Mk.2 was presented to the international

defence community at the Eurosatory expo in Paris. Unfortunately, I had a prior appointment with 1 MERCIAN at Wedrzyn, but Carl broke away from the exercise for a few days and photographed the vehicle on the company display stand. On its return to Devon, Supacat gave C&S an exclusive opportunity to

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 59

vehicle focus

Images © Bob Morrison [unless otherwise noted]

“HIGH SPEED THROUGH HARSH ENVIRONMENTS IS THE LRV‘S STRENGTH...” 09

photograph the LRV 400 Mk.2 out on the company’s secret test track location in another county in the Westcountry. To see how it performed on-road and on a disused aireld taxiway, I followed it closely in my own vehicle and monitored speeds using GPS. Test driver Nigel, who has probably taught more military drivers how to handle JACKAL and COYOTE than I’ve had hot pies, threw the LRV around the tarmac like that go-kart Lewis Hamilton used to drive, and I found it incredibly difcult to keep up. As the power train is taken from a Land Rover Discovery but the LRV body is much lighter, its

60 | COMBAT & SURVIVAL

10 acceleration is incredible and its top speed on a runway has exceeded 125mph, though the production version for Spec Ops users will be limited to 100mph (160 km/hr) as above this

speed it takes an expert to handle the beast properly. According to the company, Supacat are able to offer the LRV 400 vehicle as a

11 08: Travelling at high speed on a at stretch of the company test track with suspension lowered 09: For these walkaround photos the adjustable suspension is in the mid position 10: Spare wheel carrier has been hinged back to give rear gunner speedy access or egress 11: The vehicle has automatic transmission and all controls are deliberately simplied

12

12: Rear loadbed of the LRV 400 fold-down third seat if for top gunner when not on station 13: Under the bonnet the V6 diesel engine has been tweaked and militarised for SF use

13 08 fully integrated military variant including the entire spectrum of Integrated Logistic Support services. They claim “high speed through harsh environments is the LRV‘s strength, offering the user an ideal lightweight rapid intervention vehicle for Special Forces, Border Patrol, Reconnaissance or Strike Forces”. Additionally, they say that “the proven, rugged reliability of the Discovery base platform combined with Supacat’s defence specic enhancements provides superb levels of performance, supportability and safety”. With a combat weight of 4,200kg, including an impressive payload of 1,700kg, and a dimensional envelope of just 4.65m long x 1.6m wide x 1.7m high, the 4x4 vehicle’s size and weight enables effective air portability, including tactical CH-47 Chinook internal loading. Approach and departure angles are 40°, ramp-over angle is in excess of 150°, and unprepared fording depth is 750mm. One tiny detail which Supacat omit

to mention in their publicity material is that the LRV has adjustable height suspension which can be lowered for high speed road travel, and to ensure increased headroom for helicopter loading, or raised to provide additional off-road clearance. The standard engine is a 3.0 litre V6 diesel producing 256hp and 600Nm of

torque, but any diesel or petrol engine used in the Land Rover Discovery can be specied. The 8-speed automatic transmission is also taken from the Discovery, both high and low range gearing is standard, the vehicle is permanent four wheel drive with a centre differential lock, and both front and rear air-locking differentials can be tted as an option. Other options

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 61

vehicle focus

Images © Bob Morrison [unless otherwise noted]

14 include: Remote Weapons Station, in place of the standard ring mount for machinegun or automatic grenade launcher; secondary weapon mounts; twin four-barrel smoke grenade launchers, front and rear; Hutchinson bead-lock run ats; demountable self-recovery winch; infrared lighting; appliqué ballistic armour and ballistic crew seats; on-board boiling vessel, for hot drinks and heating rations; pinnacle compass; canvas roof and side screens; forward and rear facing infrared cameras; 12/24 Volt electrics; and a detachable polycarbonate windscreen. The LRV 600 version has a bolt-on rear body extension and powered third axle to provide increase payload. Intended primarily for extended range patrols, or to act in the mothership role for a group of LRV patrol vehicles, it can easily be converted back to 4x4 conguration with standard REME Light Aid Detachment tools.

15 14: The new LRV 600 demonstrator made an unannounced appearance at DVD 2016 15: At the end of the rst day Supacat allowed us to take the LRV 600 off the stand for photos 16: 23-LRV400 Third axle and rear body section are demountable - cage is lower for helicopter loading

17 62 | COMBAT & SURVIVAL

17: LRV 600 rear loadbed - note second spare wheel for this Long Range patrol variant

16

comfort & Survival

OUTDOOR GEAR A

Images © Mike Gormley unless noted

BY MIKE GORMLEY

C&S SEASONAL HEADS-UP

s you will most likely be reading this just before Christmas I thought it may be handy if I did things a bit differently to my normal reviews. Over the next few months I will cover these items again in more detail, when I have had a chance to use them for real and for longer, but for now it may be good to have a few ideas of items that will be useful around this time of year to perhaps drop into that conversation of: “What do you want for Christmas?” or, looking the other way, as something you may like to give.

COLEMAN TORCHES

Coleman Divide + 250 Flash Light: Impressive little torch this. Just a handful in size, it puts out 250 lumens at the press of the button at the back end. Powered by 2 AA batteries, it has two power settings and, interestingly, a battery disconnect. This prevents accidental switching on in your bergen and is said to prevent battery degradation for when in storage over long periods. Coleman Divide + 700 Flash Light: The very much bigger, much more powerful brother to the 250, the 700 lumen, is a powerful hand torch powered by no

64 | COMBAT & SURVIVAL

less than 6 AA batteries. It has as very similar features to the 250, 50, but the on/off button is on the side, at the front, so very convenient for the thumb. Also so with two power settings. Coleman CXS+ Head Torch: This is an LED head torch with th a very different look, but it works and works very well. Up to 250 Lumens it has variable e white and red light. It defaultss to red which is handy. All these Coleman lights have the he battery lock out feature.

KEELA NEPTUNE JACKET

T This is a good and very versatile a eece which is both waterproof and w windproof. It is cosy w with a full zip-up w neck and roll-away n detachable hood. d

KEELA SF JACKET

Now this is one to interest many C&S readers and that’s for sure. A really full-on MultiCam jacket from Keela which uses their Dual Protection System to keep the water outside (it works!) and has a host of features. I will get this one out on Dartmoor for a real go and let you know how I get on in a future issue.

KLEAN KANTEEN INSULATED GROWLER DRINK FLASK

As drinks containers go this is a bit different in that you can put carbonated or pressurised drinks in. So, if you fancy taking a beer out (other carbonated drinks are available... apparently), keeping it chill and carbonated, where it is not practical to carry glass bottles or cans, this is for you. It has the perhaps time-honoured over-centre type, Swing Lok pressure cap, but can, of course, be used equally well for normal drinks. It takes close on a litre and is made from easy clean stainless steel.

PRINCETON TEC REMIX HEAD TORCH

The Remix has both white and red LEDs with variable power up to 150 Lumens. Runs on 3 x AAA batteries. Light, simple and effective.

BUCK KNIFE - VERTEX

An ultralight folding knife, this is one of many in the Buck range and is aimed at the weight conscious minimalist. It has a 3” serrated blade, can be used single-handed and comes in a variety of colours.

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 65

Images © Mike Gormley unless noted

comfort & Survival

TEX:ENERGY INFINITE ORBIT CHARGER

Power. We all need it in many ways these days, wherever we end up. Tex:Energy have developed a very neat hand cranked generator which will repower the likes of phones, GPS, tablets, lights and so on.

LEATHERMAN SIGNAL

As you probably know, these days Leatherman have a very extensive range of multi-tools to suit every need. The Signal is clearly aimed at the outdoorsman. The pliers have replaceable heavy duty wire cutters and in the handles there are a tin opener, dual screwdriver, awl and removable sharpener plus a removable and really quite effective whistle and combined ferro rod striker. When closed you have a part serrated blade and a saw blade in respective handles.

SNUGPAK ACCESSORIES Snugpak are well known in our circles for their extensive range of cosy gear and sleeping bags, but are less known for their range of essential travel accessories. It is safe to say that very few days go by when I don’t make use of at least one of this range of very handy items.

The image shows a Snugpak Subdivide Holdall and travel accessories that accompanied us recently on a trip to Thailand. More on this range in months to come, or check out snugpak.com.

The real benet of this device is that you do not need wind or sun light, just a bit of time and small amount of manpower, or womanpower. With a little planning you can generate power while you wait for your brew or, perhaps, when you are at rest and your hands are not busy doing other things. This device, so I am told, is gaining signicant interest in Third World countries and for disaster areas as well. (I have one of these in my Prepper Kit and it gets my vote, Ed.) Tex:Energy is ‘powered’ by an exRoyal Marine, so there is a very sound base of understanding and in the eld experience behind the products. In the photo it is being used to recharge a head torch.

At one end there is a hammer head, and bottle opener/carabiner clip which also includes two hex spanners. This end of the tool locks closed by means of a small, but effective clip. There is a belt clip and it all comes in a belt pouch. As ever with Leatherman you get a whole load of functionality in a small and very usable package PRODUCT UK CONTACT Buck Knife Whitby and Co Coleman Coleman Keela Keela Klean Kanteen Whitby and Co Leatherman Whitby and Co Morakniv Morakniv Princeton Tec Whitby and Co Snugpak Snugpak Tex:Energy Tex Energy Ltd

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TELEPHONE 01539 721 032 01275 845 024 01592 777 000 01539 721 032 01539 721 032 +46 250 595 000 01539 721 032 01535 654479 07860 653 570

WEB whitbyandco.co.uk coleman.eu/uk keela.co.uk whitbyandco.co.uk whitbyandco.co.uk morakniv.se whitbyandco.co.uk snugpak.com texenergy.co.uk

MORAKNIV GARBERG MULTIMOUNT

This is a Swedish-made knife and has a versatile, 3.2mm thick, stainless steel single blade with a ground spine for use with a re-starter. It looks and feels robust, with a plastic handle which the tang protrudes through to make a hammer. The sheath has a MOLLE/ PALS-compatible Multimount fastener on the rear face.

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security industry

TRUMP ELECTION & N AT O S O L I D A R I T Y

THE RUSSIAN DIMENSION

S

o, Donald Trump is to be the new President of the United States of America and its Commander in Chief. Whereas, Europe and NATO are increasingly nervous of Russia and its threat to Eastern Europe and the West, Donald wants to increase cooperation with them. Is this a wise move? Since Donald Trump has been elected, President Putin has hailed a new relationship with the US based on “equality, mutual respect and non interference in each other’s internal affairs”. During the election campaign Trump did hint that he might recognise Russia’s annexation of Crimea, which might prevent war with NATO in the short term, but might embolden Russia to then take back the Baltic States by force.

Image © Bob Morrison: Military Scene

The Russians certainly seem to be preparing for war with the West. They have recently run large-scale civil defence exercises (40 million Russians participated), rebuilt Cold War public bomb shelters, elded a new nuclear missile, the RS28 Sarmat, and deployed 330,000 troops to the border with the Baltic States. Yet Donald Trump has suggested that he might not provide military assistance to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania (they are all part of NATO and therefore if one of them is attacked then it’s considered an attack on all NATO) if Russia invaded them. Trump has stated that US support to NATO would be based on whether countries requiring assistance had fullled their nancial obligation to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence and, at the moment, that is actually only 5 out of 28 countries (which includes the US, UK and Estonia). NATO may well be a left-over organisation from the Cold War, but it does allow a collective strength and deterrent where that would not necessarily exist for the component countries on their own;

especially when faced with a larger, aggressive force such as Russia, that sees itself as the dominant country in Europe and wishes to resist US political and military dominance. The situation is not helped by the EU, which is using Brexit to create a common defence force. Jean-Claude Juncker, who is President of the European Commission, has said US disengagement from Europe means the EU must create its own security and defence structures. The fact that it might seem Europe is turning its back on US military support will not endear it to the US, who can clearly see that any EU Army would not be able to defend itself against Russia anyway, and that any earmarked EU force would compete for national resources that would be better allocated to NATO, especially since most countries are not spending the full 2% anyway. It would be easy to say that Russia wouldn’t risk war (especially with the potential for escalation to the use of nuclear weapons) but, as we have seen throughout history, countries will invade others if they think their opponents are weak, will not act decisively and that they will get away with it. What might also lead Russia to think they will get away with taking the Ukraine and the Baltic States by force is the fact that Mr Trump is fond of Mr Putin. Of course given Russia’s use of cyber and inuence operations alongside the arming of minority populations and use of Special Forces, Russia will have already broken the security and integrity of a target country whilst

“RUSSIA AND THE WEST CERTAINLY DO NEED GREATER COOPERATION, ESPECIALLY ON THE GLOBAL TERRORIST THREAT AND THE TERRORIST CAMPAIGN TO OVERTHROW THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT” 68 | COMBAT & SURVIVAL

not being seen to have acted overtly to a level which would trigger the collective NATO defence. NATO has recently announced plans to rotate forces through Poland and the Baltic States as a deterrent, but it isn’t a sizeable force in comparison (the UK commitment is 800 troops) to the Russian Forces on the other side of the border and it has problems with interoperability (the Italians and the French do not speak English to a sufcient level to be able to communicate effectively in combat). The Baltic States are also thinly populated, have no natural defences and NATO forces would not necessarily have air superiority when it would be operating at the end of an extended supply line whilst the Russian forces supporting infrastructure would be closer. If Russia managed to implement an effective air defence bubble over the Baltic States, then any NATO ground forces would be very vulnerable, even if man-for-man and tank-for-tank NATO has technical superiority and is better trained. Russia and the West certainly do need greater cooperation, especially on the global terrorist threat and the terrorist campaign to overthrow the Syrian government, but since Russia already sees NATO as politically weak since it invaded Ukraine and Georgia and nothing was done by the West this could be the wrong time for mixed diplomatic efforts and messages. Maybe it’s about time all NATO members started paying their full nancial commitment. By Robert Shaw

ROBERT SHAW of LONGBOW SOLUTIONS is a former British Army ATO and IEDD/WIS Operator who is now a security and intelligence trainer and consultant.

film review

A GRIPPING WORLD WAR 2 SURVIVAL STORY

On 19th July 1945 the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35) raced unescorted across the Pacic from Pearl Harbor to Tinian on a secret mission to deliver Uranium 235 and parts for the atomic bomb.

History: The ship successfully completed her mission on 26th July, under Captain Charles B. McVay III, and was ordered to proceed to the Philippines, again without a destroyer escort despite having no means of detecting submarines. Just after midnight on 30th July she was attacked by a Japanese submarine and fatally struck by two of its torpedoes. The cruiser sunk in under a quarter of an hour, taking around 300 of her roughly 1200 complement with her and, although SOS messages

were sent (though it would be many years before it was revealed these had been received), no rescue effort was initially commenced. Purely by chance, an aircraft on routine patrol spotted the survivors late on the morning of 2nd August and triggered a rescue. Only 317 of the 880 who abandoned ship were to survive, as sharks, dehydration, hypothermia and drowning all took their toll.

Directed by Mario Van Peebles, USS Indianapolis - Men Of Courage will be available for digital download from 19th December and goes on sale on DVD and Blu-ray from 9th January. I popped my check disc into the drive late on the evening it arrived to make sure it would play okay only to be so gripped that I not only watched it right to the end, but also watched the ‘making of’ extra. As Hollywood war movies go, other than a small amount of slightly ropey CGI for a kamikaze attack scene, this one is reasonably accurate and very watchable. Recommended. BM

Movie: Nicholas Cage, as Capt. McVay, Tom Sizemore and Thomas Jane are

COMBAT & SURVIVAL | 69

Stills © USS Indianapolis Production Inc.

USS INDIANAPOLIS: MEN OF COURAGE

the stars of this two hour+ movie, [plus a half hour ‘making of’ extra feature], along with the WWII battleship USS Alabama, the submarine USS Drum and a PBY Catalina ying boat plus a frighteningly real robotic swimming shark. For authenticity, the water scenes were shot in the Gulf of Mexico, rather than in a tank, with the majority of internal scenes shot on/in the warship and submarine.

footwear

BOOTS PATROL & COMBAT HIGH LIABILITY This month we are covering two pairs of boots, not one, though both are very similar in design. Manufactured by Italian bootmakers AKU, whose PILGRIM model we covered in the October issue, these are black leather pre-production samples which fall into what UK MoD would designate the Boots Patrol and Boots Combat High Liability categories. The former has allleather uppers and the latter has a combination of leather and textile uppers with a protective deep rubber rand above the sole. 70 | COMBAT & SURVIVAL

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mid-length Gore-Tex boot, its designation is ML GTX PATROL BOOT, the allleather model is said by the makers to be intended primarily for use in barracks and for a range of tasks from ofce to vehicle park to training to range work, plus its midleg length of around 8 inches (200mm) means it is also suitable for driving military vehicles. The leather and textile version, designated ML GTX COMBAT, is of identical length but AKU state this boot to be intended for use in a range of high intensity combat tasks in a variety of terrains including eld, track, road,

rubble and rock, when carrying loads up to 45kg, and it is claimed to be suitable for walking, running, kneeling, driving vehicles and lightweight patrolling. With the exception of the collar and tongue area materials and the rubber rand, construction of both GRIFFON boot models is near identical. The leather used is waterproof and highly breathable and the new generation Gore-Tex Extended Comfort breathable membrane laminate, which doubles as a soft but durable lining, ensures cool dry feet in the warm and warm dry feet in the cold. Both boots also have an abrasion, POL, heat and slip

Images © Bob Morrison resistant DAVOS Ranger rubber outsole bonded to a lightweight and stable EVA midsole which absorbs shock and cushions the foot when tabbing or yomping.

extend to about 7” (175mm) to keep out water and dust. Both ankles are padded behind the scalloped leather uppers to provide knock protection. We expect both models may soon appear in MoD Brown.

Aesthetically, in my opinion, the GRIFFON design probably comes closest to the Alt-Berg Defender as the lower uppers construction uses a single piece of leather which is joined only at the rear, under the Achilles stiffener, which means there are no joins to cause pressure or rubbing points on the sides of the middle foot. There are minor differences in the lower lacing system, with the PATROL having four leather lace tunnels each side whereas the COMBAT has a D-ring plus three metal tunnels, but both boots have pressed metal lace locks at the mid position and three metal tunnels each side above this.

BY BOB MORRISON

AKU CLAIM THAT THE GRIFFON CAN BE WORN STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX AND NO BREAKING-IN IS REQUIRED. I TOOK THEM AT THEIR WORD AND WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO FIND THAT BOTH BOOT MODELS WERE INDEED COMFORTABLE FROM DAY ONE. I LIKE THEM.

Turning now to the differences in the collar and tongue areas, the PATROL construction is soft leather whereas the COMBAT is nylon mesh and both areas of both boot models are foam cushioned. On each model the tongue llet, and Gore-Tex membrane behind,

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book reviews

“THIS ILLUSTRATED CHRONOLOGY IS SO GOOD THAT NO LESS THAN GENERAL SIR NICK CARTER, CURRENT CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF, HAS PENNED ITS FOREWORD.”

THE SAS

By David Reynolds ISBN : 978-0-9557813-3-9

By Leigh Neville ISBN : 978-1-4728-1403-6

Britain’s War In Helmand

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here are already plenty of books around on Britain’s involvement in Helmand Province, and no doubt over the years there will be a shedload more published, but I suspect this one will be unique. Written by a former Reservist Para ofcer, who joined the Armed Forces as a Royal Marine and subsequently served in ve different Operational Theatres under green and maroon berets before being appointed as Task Force Spokesman during the inaugural Operation HERRICK deployment in 2006 then returning in uniform to Southern Afghanistan in 2008 to run the UK Forces information campaign, it is a heavily illustrated 180-page historical account covering almost every facet of the war. Broken down into an intro and ten chronological chapters, followed by a listing of all participating units by deployment and a four-page Roll Of Honour covering Op HERRICK from 2002 until 2015, this book is both a valuable reference source and a keepsake for both those who served and their families. Deliberately sized at A4, the same dimensions

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as this magazine, to allow maximum impact for the photographs, which are a combination of the work of both military and civilian photographers who covered UK forces in the war zone, this is a labour of love which probably only a former soldier who actually tasted the dust of Afghanistan’s plains could have compiled. Indeed this illustrated chronology is so good that no less than General Sir Nick Carter, current Chief of the General Staff, has penned its foreword. Although this superb book from DRA Publishing is available through all good bookshops by quoting author and ISBN, at a cover price of £25, readers of this magazine can purchase a copy direct from the publishers at the discounted price of £20 (including UK and BFPO P&P). Either email ofce@ dramedia.co.uk or call 01752 403333 during UK ofce hours to arrange, telling them C&S sent you. In addition to being a former Commando and Para, the author and publisher is a regular reader of this magazine. Finally, a percentage of sales has been promised to a number of genuine service charities.

1983-2014

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he rst of two Osprey Publishing titles covered this month, No.211 in their long-running Osprey Elite series, this is almost certainly the one most likely to appeal to more readers of this magazine. At 64 pages thick, plus card covers, this medium format reference source follows standard format and is well illustrated with both contemporary images and colour plates by artist Peter Dennis. SAS (and Tier 2 SFSG) spotters will no doubt have seen many of the photographs compiled here, essentially covering the Regiment from just after The Falklands Campaign to around the time of UK Forces withdrawal from Helmand Province, but quite a few are new; I especially liked the rare Supacat HMT ‘Menacity’ and Bushmaster photos. Accuracy, on a topic which UK MoD refuses to pass comment, seems to be pretty high though I did spot a couple of perpetuated myths in there. Widely available, the UK cover price is £11.99

FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION 1831-71

By Martin Windrow ISBN : 978-1-4728-1770-9

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he Legion is another ‘hardy annual’ topic for many book publishers which seems to interest a signicant proportion of C&S readers. This title, No. 509 in the Osprey Men At Arms series, which has been running for an incredible 45 years, covers the rst four decades of France’s specialist force raised strictly for services abroad. At 48 pages thick plus covers, this one follows the standard series format with a mix of contemporary pen & ink illustrations and rare early photos in addition to colour plates from the artist Sam Embleton. As this mid-19th Century topic is outside my area of specialist interest I cannot comment on accuracy or content, safe to say that as author Martin Windrow has been penning books and articles on this subject for about 40 years I have little doubt that it is well researched. UK cover price for this slimmer Osprey title is £10.99

Images © respective publishers

AFGHANISTAN

next issue

COMBAT +SURVIVAL coming up in c&s

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ext month: Carl Schulze continues his two-part overview of COLIBRI IL in Southern France and also, in a separate feature, focuses on the part that 2nd Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Ries played on this multinational exercise; Bob Morrison reports both from Drawsko Pomorskie on the Polish-led multinational 1st Armoured Brigade Battle Group conducting a live-re exercise during ANAKONDA ‘16 and from Copehill Down, where nine Police Support Units drawn from across Southwest England joined Fire and Ambulance personnel to deal with serious urban disorder on Exercise CONQUER; and Gordon Arthur reports from ‘down under’ on Adelaide-based 7th Battalion of Royal Australian Regiment.

Plus: Product Reviews, Rations, Kit & Camo etc. Contents may change subject to operational developments!

Image © Carl Schulze

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Feb '17 Issue On Sale 12th Jan