Gunners of No 1 Force Protection Wing, 3 Squadron RAF Regiment, conduct counter-improvised explosive device training at the Stanford Training Area in Norfolk
[Picture: Corporal Laura Bibby, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The training, part of the squadron's Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRX), took place at the Stanford Training Area (STANTA) in Norfolk.
It was the final training exercise for 3 Squadron RAF Regiment prior to their deployment to Camp Bastion for a six-month tour of duty.
Currently based at RAF Wittering, the squadron form part of No 1 Force Protection (FP) Wing, commanded by Wing Commander Mick Smeath. The wing, 123-personnel-strong, which also includes 504 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and RAF Police, deploys to Afghanistan on 27 November 2009 to take over from No 2 FP Wing (34 Squadron RAF Regiment).
A large number of the personnel are without operational experience, so the MRX is incredibly important in allowing them to train within a relatively safe environment whilst learning from the more experienced personnel.
Wing Commander Smeath explained:
"Our primary role when we get to Camp Bastion is the protection of Royal Air Force aircraft and other aircraft operation out of Camp Bastion. But in doing that we are also providing the force protection for the whole of Camp Bastion base.
"The challenge really is making sure we learn from the environment, we understand the environment we are in, specifically from the locals' perspective, because clearly they are on our side. We need to help the locals and develop security but in doing that also ensure we are achieving our priority mission which is the defence and safe passage of UK air assets."
The Gunners have also had the opportunity to train with other nations (like the US and Afghan nationals) whom they will be working alongside in Afghanistan. Wing Commander Smeath continued:
"We have US forces which are contributing to our exercise because that is who we will be working with when we get to Camp Bastion and we have Afghan nationals as well who are acting as interpreters and also as the local population."
One of the key aspects of the training at STANTA is counter-improvised explosive device training, utilising methods and techniques learned from ongoing operations.
It is imperative that all personnel are given the skills, both in terms of detection and dealing with the consequences of explosions, especially with regard to casualty evacuation and saving the lives of their comrades.
Part of the training utilises the hugely beneficial participation of amputees, whose involvement enables the drills to have a stark reality.
Wing Commander Smeath said:
"I think everybody is apprehensive about IEDs, but you're apprehensive about all threats out there; but it's the training really that actually takes that apprehension away when you're actually in the area.
"They [IEDs] are a problem and they certainly can hinder you but the whole training is designed so that we can mitigate the threat of IEDs from the enemy so that we can ensure that we are actually providing the protection that the RAF air assets require at Camp Bastion."
The role of No 1 FP Wing at Camp Bastion is to provide security for air assets (both for the RAF and other nations) and for camp personnel.
They will work alongside another UK RAF Wing (No 3 FP Wing) as well as the United States Marine Corps in fulfilling their role. The challenge is to be successful in this role, but to also protect themselves from the varying threats they may face.
Corporal Simon Oswald, Sniper Section Commander (3 Squadron RAF Regiment) and recipient of a 'Mention in Dispatches' from a previous operational tour in which he saved the life of a colleague by evacuating him after an IED explosion, is aware of the need for good training. He said:
"There are quite a few challenges out there, from the climatic conditions that we are going to face - from a summer tour to a winter tour - and of course the major threat of IEDs.
"We have got to keep on top of our drills and nobody can really be slack in what they do because of the constant threat that is out there.
"The training's highly important. We've been carrying out training for six to seven months now, from the bare bone basics, taking in new troops into the unit, all the way up to here now, the final stages, where everybody's constantly aware of all the different vehicles and the different equipment that we have to use whilst out in Afghanistan."
The MRX at STANTA is key to giving the Gunners the very best training available to ensure their task is conducted professionally, successfully and safely.