1st Battalion Live Fire Tactical Training
In anticipation for Exercise BULL STORM in Kenya later this year, the 1st Battalion deployed for a 2-week progressive live fire tactical training (LFTT) package at Otterburn Training Area. Which was followed by a short blank firing exercise conducted by A (Norfolk) and B (Suffolk) Companies.
On Exercise BULL STORM the battalion will have its first opportunity to exercise in its new Tactical Recce-Strike role as part of a reinforced 11 Brigade. Otterburn provided a good opportunity to test and adjust operating at the lowest level in a new lighter and more dispersed fashion which this role will demand.
The package saw the battalion first conduct 3 days and nights of static firing focussing on developing marksmanship and culminating in the annual combat marksmanship test. This was a good opportunity for those in battalion who spend less time on ranges to bring themselves back up to speed and conduct some interesting CBRN, low visibility, and automatic fire shoots.
With high levels of physical fitness having been identified as a strong foundation for Ex BULL STORM PT continued throughout the package. Before moving onto the LFTT the battalion conducted a 6-mile tab across the Cheviot hills of which form the backbone of Otterburn Training Area. Particular kudos should be given to the Machine Gun platoon who moved with their GPMGs and tripods on top of the individual weight.
All then completed aggressive and challenging individual and pairs battle lanes some of which included bayonet dummies, grenade positions and a generous helping of fire positions in streams. For this the Vikings were blessed with 2 days of glorious sunshine that are very uncommon for Otterburn in March.
The Vikings progressed through increasingly complex activity in the following days conducting fireteam and section attacks by both day and night with C (Essex) Company conducting live fire contact drills in preparation for their dispersed small team operations in Kenya.
The LFTT culminated in live fire platoon attacks which saw the rifle platoons grappling with how to best conduct actions against traditional platoon objectives with a smaller team. A task that was successful using efficient task organisation, the beasting of GPMG gunners, and Vikings acting with the utmost initiative at all levels. These actions were conducted on a backdrop of snow and sideways hail which saw the soldiers need to fight both the elements and the persistent enemy who just kept getting back up.
The LFTT phase concluded, and a short blank fire exercise was conducted making the most of the opportunity of the training area in preparation for Kenya. The whole battalion being deployed in relative isolation from connectivity allowed for much enabling preparation for Ex BULL STORM to be conducted. Important but often overlooked activity such as redesigning the callsign matrix for the Ex BULL STORM ORBAT was got after by the whole Battalion.
On return to Kendrew Barracks preparation for Ex BULL STORM continues and the Vikings are particularly looking forward to the amateur boxing night being held at the beginning of April.
