Sierra Leone ORBAT

Oman ORBAT

GENERAL

These notes are split into 3 sections: general/summary notes on C Company, deployment to Sierra Leone and finally, an overseas exercise to the Oman, which constituted the Company's main focus during this reporting period. Due to unusual manning requirements for these events, the original C Company has been fractured, taking soldiers from across the Battalion to make a composite ORBAT for each deployment.

After regaining our composure from the delights of the Battalion FTX in Scotland in early Sep '01, we duly returned to The Dale Barracks for a quick turn around up to Altcar Ranges for the annual Battalion SAAM. The focus for the SAAM included staging the Victor Ludorem shooting as well completing all the mandatory shooting ITDs. However this had shifted considerably by the time we arrived, to be initial preparation for deployment to Sierra Leone. The Commanding Officer had officially been given the warning order and therefore coincidentally, used Altcar as a platform for individual shooting training but also to complete a variety of other pre deployment training such as medical and signals. At this stage, details of the ORBAT for Sierra Leone had not been confirmed so the week's shooting was unaffected, culminating in the VL competition, which as always was fiercely contested by all. For those more astute will know, there is 'some' shooting blood in OC C Company, and therefore a great opportunity for achieving success was definitely swept up. The team was gripped and executed quite magnificently by C Company's captain, Sgt Bingley. For the historical record, C Company won most of the shooting matches; the most exciting of course was the finale event - team falling plates. Repeats of the Battalion SAAM 1999 came rushing back with an all C Company final! There was controversy and thrilling contest in the clay pigeon where C Company required to come at least second if we were to win the VL competition overall. With experience, tactical flair and strong leadership from C Company's clay pigeon team captain, Cpl "Ganger" Green, individuals pulled all the stoppers out. It came as no surprise therefore that they were pipped at the post by a more tactical HQ Coy team, ably led by Sgt Midgely, who also happened to have the CO, Adjt and RSM in his team, of course they were clear favourites! Needless to say, our Clay pigeon team achieved a highly respectable second ensuring an overall win for C company - well done!

SIERRA LEONE (OPERATION SILKMAN)

Operation SILKMAN was the name given to the deployment of a Short Term Training Team (STTT) to Sierra Leone, with a mission to train (in many cases re-train) the Sierra Leone Army in order that they could redress the balance of stability and authority within the country's boundaries. The British Government's involvement begun in the previous year, by sending British forces in support of the Untied Nations Military Mission (UNOMSIL) who had very nearly been driven out by the Rebel Forces (RUF). A Military force spearheaded by the PARAs had secured the national airfield at LUNGI, and subsequently repelled the RUF to allow time and space for UNOMSIL to regroup and regain the initiative. It was at this stage that the STTT concept was signed up to thereby bringing about a much more proactive role to supporting President Kabbah and his war stricken country of Sierra Leone. STTT in essence consisted of a Battalion being able to provide enough manpower to train 1000 SLA recruits over a six week period. In outline each STTT battalion would need a BHQ (-), a training company consisting of instructors (very officer and NCO waited!), a security company consisting of a two platoon light role infantry company with limited indirect fire assets, and a substantial combat service support element.

Soon after the Battalion SAAM, the Commanding Officer took his initial Recce Party off to Sierra Leone. Roulement support had reached STTT 3. The Battalion in place being 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (1 R IRISH), who had the misfortune of deploying on a back to back tour, consequently ended up doing a 3 month tour. From start to finish, the recce itself seemed like a chapter out of a Wilbur Smith novel, the logistics involved in visiting a West African country which was in the middle of conflict was interesting! The outward journey though can be summed up as 'Crab Air Chaos' (CAC for short!). It involved setting off from RAF Lynham, and staging overnight through Lanzerote, where if you were RAF (particularly 'Mr three propeller man') you were well catered for at the hotel if you were anyone else, 'cattle class' sprang to mind! Not wanting to get distracted from the main aim of the recce, initial impressions of Sierra Leone were confirmed when a comment from one of the many briefings quoted, that president Kabbah had 'offered the British to take over the governing of the country'! - desperate times.

Concurrent to the recce, began the pre deployment training, closely coordinated by the Bn 2IC, Maj 'Ginger Goblin' Bruce. ORBATs by this stage had been confirmed, essentially, training company would by commanded by OC Sp Company, with 95% of the full Cpls and above under his leadership, leaving a security company, commanded by OC C Company. Security Company was a composite company: one platoon each taken from A and B Companies, and a 3 barrel mortar section from Sp Company, ensuring fairness across the Battalion. Pre deployment training package took place at Otterburn, heavily assisted by a small team of PARAs with their specialist equipment, the WMIK vehicle (a landrover based vehicle mounted with a 0.5 browning weapon system). For the Security Company, basic skills, including a mixture of NI and Bosnia style drills was the framework of the training. Training and administration went well, of particular note, the WMIK instructors commented how well the soldiers managed to assimilate the information to a competent standard in such a short space of time - condensing a 6 week lesson pack into 10 days!

Deployment was staged, commanders and logistic staff having a week's headstart from the main body. The journey again took us overnighting in Lanzerote, (which could have been potentially fun as a night off - well at least it was for some any way!) 1 R IRISH clearly greeted us with much enthusiasm (they had days to do!) and the handover went well. With the capital, Freetown, resting on the coastal Peninsular, STTT collocated itself within the SLA training camp at Benguema (BTC), twenty kilometers inland. The mission for Security Company was straightforward - Force Protection of STTT - though the tasks varied from simple perimeter patrols of the BTC area to mobile patrols in an AOI that covered approximately sixteen hundred square kilometers, using the WMIK vehicle. 1 IRISH had left their liaison officer to assist in the continuity on the ground, whilst the Company bedded in. The day to day operational orchestration was left to the Coy Ops Offr, Capt 'Al' Thirsk, ably assisted by a small G2 cell: Sgt Tyler and Cpl Lane and in the G3 cell: Cpl 'blackeye' Weldrand, LCpl Batty, Ptes Butterworth and Jameson. With an implied task to conduct liaison in the local area, Capt 'Rob' Lord was appointed as a dedicated LO. If anyone had the 'most exciting' task, it was the LO, who was able to roam within boundaries, liaising with both UN unit contingent commanders and SLA checkpoints. Additionally, there was a slice of the community known as the Civilian Defence Force (CDF), sympathetic to the government, one commander in particular will remain 'a legend in his own NAAFI break', that being 'Commander Snake'. When dressed in his own tribal attire can only be described as the witch doctor from the James Bond movie Live and Let Die! His ritual belief that by wearing an overcoat made up of small mirrors, could withstand a bullet as its powers would repel the shot!

On an imaginative task rotation, multiples could find themselves guarding the LSL RFA Sir Percivale moored off Freetown harbour. As the QM and his fire team (including Sgt Harrison - our spy on the inside!) was tactically deployed at this location, you could always guarantee a hot shower, cold beer and air conditioning. Linked with these tasks allowed liaison visits in to Freetown to buy the inevitable artistic carvings by the locals. Among these trophies sits in the Officers' Mess the famous 'Freetown elephant' (so how did this cost to get back to UK - QM!), whilst those who could not take their trophies with them on return to Chester, used the spare air freight space offered (like OC C's chair!) There was plenty of scope for quality time with beach runs for the soldiers, a popular venue being 'Bounty beach'. 'A' cold beer and BBQ made the dusty drive all the worthwhile with not forgetting the vital G4 support from Sgt Hatton (Chef) and the CQMS, CSgt 'don't ask any questions Sir' Cutsforth as the unsung hero and his fire team (Cpl 'Russian' Cowling, Ptes Bateson, Ripley and Mitchell).

Operational training was a key element in avoiding skill fade but also to maintain variety of activity. Access to live firing areas was possible, when Training Company was not using the facility. With some imagination and safe planning by platoon commanders, constructive training was indeed achieved, not least the opportunity to fire specialist ammunition natures. A weapons effects range 'open day' was superbly delivered by Lt 'Ben' Richards and his Platoon for the ship's Captain and his crew from the RFA Sir 'Ralph' Percivale, with only one of the crew receiving a RGGS blackeye! When required, the equivalent of RAAT soldiers assistance to Training Company was given, this being another implied task! Under the supervision of the APTC 'muscle buster', WO2 Winterbottom, we were required to provide demonstration soldiers for the assault course. Purely on a 'voluntary basis', even my female Company Clerk, LCpl 'Chicken' Fell-Crook participated!

Other key events included providing a contingent to take part in the SLF War Remembrance Day celebrations (the mechanics being similar to the 'Cenotaph' celebrations). Shaken in to step by some swift drill practice from the CSM, the guard contingent was commanded by Lt 'Ben' Richards. On the day the soldiers performed with professionalism and stiff (hot and sweaty) upper lip, with a scoreline of soldiers feinting on parade being SLA 3 - 1 PWO 0! As a national Force projection media stunt, the Royal Marines Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) staged a landing onto Freetown beach, very impressive considering it was all unopposed! As a show of commitment and credible strength, the land component of the ARG then convoyed through the streets of Freetown (looking like a re-run of the Allies pouring into Paris during WWII!) and then up the MSR. Although fairly small in the whole event, our part was vital, having to lead this media spectacle through the 'gridlocked' streets of Freetown, the consequences of which would have been disastrous if a wrong turning had been taken! Everyone in STTT 4 contributed to a successful tour, however the composite Security Company ensured that SLA recruit training could go ahead without any interruptions throughout the six weeks. The only sad event to report was during the return journey to UK with an advance party of most of the Warrant Officers who staged overnight in Lanzerote receiving severe injuries having been jumped by a premeditated group of locals.

OMAN (EXERCISE ROCKY LANCE)

After a well earned post tour/Christmas leave, C Company reformed again and quickly set our sights on Exercise ROCKY LANCE '01, an overseas exercise to the OMAN, involving a light role infantry company group of an all up strength of 164 all ranks. Preparations were already underway prior to the Sierra Leone deployment, with a recce being conducted to Oman by the OC, RQMS (WO2 Dennison) and Coy 2IC - the seats in club class are just not big enough! - followed soon after by an essential pre pack of thirteen ISO containers! It is thanks to the RQMS and his small team that using their foresight, experience and initiative with what equipment might be required, ensured the exercise was supported well.

The overall aim of the exercise listed a variety of objectives which at the stratospheric levels included, continuing British/Omani links, using cross training with a Omani infantry company as a basis for this. The exercise gave enough scope to develop the manoeuvre support (MS) concept but within this to train from individual up to dismounted company level tactics, all set against a backdrop of arid and desert environment. To allow for maximum advantage of exercising overseas, R&R (including a cultural insight) and adventurous training was also factored in. Exercising was conducted both dry and live, using the support of PRTs, commanded by Capt 'Jules - sungod' Hall. The outline programme was designed in six phases: phase one construct the camp; phase two - an extensive acclimatisation package (for everyone); phase three - platoon rotation covering live firing, desert dry training and adventurous training/R&R; phase four - combined Omani/British training; phase five - Company final exercise & live firing attack and finally phase six - recovery to UK.

The initial inload of soldiers began with a small activation party: OC, Coy 2IC, RQMS and the local resources section (LRS), arriving ten days prior to the main body. Time was used wisely and efficiently, mainly to get the Omanis to confirm what was allowed and what was not, as the goalposts had changed since the recce! Local contracts were set up, with the ground work of main recces - in particular seeking permission to construct the adventurous training site on the coast - all completed by the time the main body flew in. Vital in the initial stages was the liaison with the Defence Section, British Embassy (SSgt Hockram), without which the whole inload process would not have happened! Fortunate for the soldiers that the RAF trooping programme failed, which meant staying in a hotel on arrival in theatre. The main camp (FATHI Camp) was built on the edge of an Omani training area (IZZ Ranges & training area), approximately 150km inland from the capital, Muscat, which itself lies on the east coastline. Apart from the ablutions, armskhote and cookhouse, everything else had to be constructed. As part of the acclimatisation, erecting tentage was one way of getting used to the extreme heat! With the help of WO2 'around my body' Winterbottom APTC and his assistants, "early morning PT" - approximately 0530hrs - was a daily look forward ! Routine in the first ten days was harsh, concentrating on physical fitness, individual training (ITD based), range recces and construction and writing all the exercise instructions. The live firing package was assisted by an SASC advisor, WO2 Little, and most of the PRT came from volunteers outside the Battalion, primarily from ITC Catterick. They included: Lt Gudgin (RRW), Lt Davies (RGJ), Sgt Moles (BW), and Sgt Morrison (CHESHIRE) with Capt Fry from 1 KORBR and CSgt Wasden from EWRR (PWO) and from within the Battalion were Sgt Noonan and Cpl Chattaway.

Prior to the main effort taking place - platoon rotation training - there was a small window to get most of the support staff through the adventurous training and R&R, whilst the platoons remained back at FATHI Camp/IZZ training area. Each platoon planned and conducted their own platoon dry FTXs, under the supervision of the Coy 2IC and it was at this time that the OC assisted by the CSM, WO2 Foote had the opportunity to break in their boots, when a pre arranged RV with OC 7Pl didn't quite work out! - having been dropped off at night by the RQMS, it was some hours before we met up with him again.

The middle of the FTX saw the platoons disappearing to their respective areas within the rotation: desert training - conducted at Wahiba Sands (a vast area of rolling sand dunes 200km SW of Fathi camp); live firing - conducted at Izz training area and adventurous training/R&R - conducted on the coast near Muscat. The live firing package was progressive but extremely demanding, with platoons being put through their paces over harsh ground in the high temperatures, forcing commanders to appreciate their limitations under the conditions. It was also an excellent opportunity for most to fire specialist ammunition natures including the LAW 90 and RGGS. Included was a live indirect fire and target indication stand, supervised by that veteran of mortars, Capt 'Burt' Burton! In addition, soldiers were also able to chance their hand at firing the 81mm mortar. Wahiba Sands was conducted at a basic but constructive level, the main aim being to introduce and familiarise soldiers with desert conditions in all the skills a soldier normally carries out - navigation, first aid, living in the field, driving and basic tactics. As there are no desert instructors courses in the British Army, we relied heavily on the loan service officers (Lt Col Eagan and Capt 'Andy' Nye) and a warrant officer (WO2 Overton), who under less formal arrangements, managed to find time to train the platoons. It was however the adventurous training and R&R which was mostly appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed, thanks to the supervision by Maj 'Phil' Stainthorpe, WO2 Winterbottom and LCpl 'suntan' Batty, who set up a tented camp "on" the beach. Having secured enough funding, the main effort over the six weeks was to get most soldiers under water, either as a simple 'try dive' or a four day 'PADI open water' course, all the training being conducted by the local SCUBA centre. R&R for those who took up the offer, was set up as an all inclusive 2 day package along the coast at a hotel resort, where a superb rate had been agreed due to the throughput of numbers. Whether it was the jacuzzi, quadbike, jetski or just the pool which was on offer, the soldiers all enjoyed themselves, with Sgt 'Bing' Bingley showing a flair on the Karaoke!

The final phases saw the entire Company Group returning to Fathi Camp, firstly to receive and train alongside A Company, Muscat Regiment (MR) and subsequently to deploy onto the Company final FTX. The outline programme for A Company, MR, commanded by Maj Hamad, was to encourage cross fertilisation where possible but also to generate some 'healthy' competition. To that end, a few days were dedicated to an inter march and shoot (designed by the OC!), where great pains were taken to try not to completely 'whitewash' the Omani platoons, needless to say we failed! The following results were: 1st - 9Pl, 2nd - Mortar & PRT Pl, 3rd - 7Pl, 4th - 8Pl, 5th - 1Pl A Coy and 6th - 2Pl A Coy. At the prizegiving, the entourage headed up by the senior British loan service officer to Oman, Maj Gen 'Robin' Searby, followed by the DA to the British Embassy, Brig Smith, Comd 23 Inf Bde (Omani), Brig Salim - whose Omani soldiers had taken place - and a group of senior Omani ministers all witnessed an unbalanced result! On a lighter note, inter platoon football and volleyball was also on the agenda with the Omanis winning the volleyball and the British winning the football. In order to maximise any chance of cross training, both Companies deployed in to the field for a few days where at the lowest common denominator, interaction through kit comparisons and simple reciprocal tactical demonstrations were encouraged. Capt Hall and his team and OC 9Pl performed a superb weapons effects demonstration and OC 9Pl staged a dry attack, in the presence of Comd 23 Inf Bde, who was genuinely moved by the efficiency and professionalism of our soldiers! - well done.

There has always got to be a finale to an exercise. In this case, the Company deployed into the field again for OC's final dry FTX, followed immediately after by a live company attack. The FTX was steady if not a little hard on the feet, culminating in a night/dawn attack, but to keep the momentum going, the Company carried out dry to live drills and launched into a 7 hour deliberate live attack, controlled again by OIC PRT and his team. A fitting end to what had been a long and sleepless few days!

As with all ENDEXs, the final few days saw the 'admin blackbelts' take over. But this recovery phase was not that simple, as thirteen ISO containers had to be repacked and accounted for! Praises must extend to the RQMS and in this instance that unsung hero again, CQMS C Company, CSgt Cutsforth and his team. Not only did he keep the 'corner shop' well stocked throughout the exercise, but kept the OC sane with his nightly videos - "we'll have no strangers here!". Although the exercise was littered with incidents, they were all minor, less one. Unfortunately there was one serious incident involving Pte Drayton who sustained severe burns during the clear up phase, since these notes, thankfully Pte Drayton has made a full recovery.

SUMMARY

The Company returned to The Dale in mid April, to find that the Battalion was gearing itself up for a deployment to Cumbria in support of the Foot and Mouth operation. Over the following months, the Company was involved in backfilling A Company to Jamaica, FMD or the leadership cadre in Scotland. In preparation for the impending residential tour to Omagh, the NI ORBAT saw a number of NCOs moving to the COP and more recently, the decision to suspend C Company was taken due to the manning levels the Battalion has fallen to over the last few years. Changes in manning have been frantic as usual with postings out: Capt Thirsk to RSO, WO2 Foote posted to Sch of Gunnery, Lulworth. A short but welcome to those posted in: Lt 'Geoff' Wickett from EWRR, AWO2 'Lee' Nockels from B Coy, Sgt Dennison from ITC(C). Finally, as the outgoing OC C Company and with close down of C Company, I wish all those I have had the pleasure in commanding, the very best for future - good luck.