The following article is taken from the latest issue of the Globe & Laurel magazine.
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Ex Campbell Hardy 24 (CH24) was a pan-RMR tactical training exercise, focused at the individual and Collective Training level 1 (CT1). Planned and delivered by RMR Merseyside, it aimed to increase the tactical experience of the RMR and improve the ability to reinforce UKCF with Commando Duties personnel. Now in its third annual iteration, Ex CH24 integrated 131 Cdo Sqn RE into the ORBAT and was supported by ranks from the Royal Navy Reserves (RNR) General Warfare and Intelligence branches, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and RMR Merseyside’s Recruit Troop. Without this key enabling support the exercise would have achieved far less. Over 16 days in early September, activity was split into four phases:
Phase One took place on Caerwent training area and was focused on small-team TTPs. The goal was to close several known residual training gaps and to help the Reservist Commandos become more comfortable at achieving a range of traditional and less-traditional tasks. To help broaden the approach, the exercise was augmented with Android Team Awareness Kits (ATAK) to enhance mission command and enable dispersed operations. This use of ATAK was the first time the RMR had access to this technology on exercise, with all impressed by its game-changing provision of situational awareness and ability to provide a range of mission planning tools at the team level.

Phase Two saw Close Quarter Battle (CQB) instruction and was delivered at Corsham Mines. Exercising troops worked at developing proficiency in low and no-light conditions and progressed to team-level, multi-room clearances. The use of ‘simunition’ allowed for Close Quarter Marksmanship (CQM) on pistol and rifle to be honed. Corsham Mines is an exceptional place to train and the complex, subterranean environment helped the exercising troops gain an understanding of the challenges of black-light, urban operations. 131 Cdo Sqn RE personnel came into their own when introducing a range of non-explosive methods of entry techniques to the RMR.
Phase Three was the start of the tactical exercise. With orders given, troops redeployed to HMS Eaglet in Liverpool, before infiltrating onto Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station, in nearby Widnes. Commando teams established an Observation Post (OP) to gather intelligence on adversary strengths and activity before triggering close target reconnaissance patrols and raids across the site. Throughout there was a strong emphasis on stealth and precision. The benefit of a diverse and engaged OPFOR brought real training benefit, whilst the use of a decommissioned power station and its imposing cooling towers, brought the critical national infrastructure (CNI) scenario to life.
Phase Four started with a short insertion yomp onto Catterick. Operating from rural harbours, a series of OPs, recce patrols and offensive patrols culminated in a multi-team assault onto Whinny Hill OBUA village. Here the cross-over environment and need to switch between manoeuvre in more open terrain and the CQB tactics learned in the mines pushed the exercising troops to their limits. It also emphasised the enduring need for communication, junior leadership and individual initiative to generate tempo and momentum. Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) equipment, borrowed from CTCRM, was a real win for the RMR and added significant realism to the exercise. ……
To find out more about the RMR and further RM activities across the globe, catch up regularly with all the news in the Globe & Laurel Magazine, the Journal of the Royal Marines.
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