The changes keep on coming for Exercise Combined Warrior, which has staged its latest iteration in Sennybridge with more than 700 personnel immersed in a warfighting focused test of soldiering skills.
The two-week package, run by the Combat Manoeuvre Centre, provided a demanding backdrop for troops as they conducted trade training and boosted levels of combined arms integration in the programme.
It formed a final exercise for several courses and saw soldiers achieve their own specific objectives while working alongside other specialities.
The collaborative approach was best shown in the break-in, clearance and defence serials at Celini village.
The light close reconnaissance course set the conditions for an attack, aided by small UAS, which was followed by assistance from the fire support team, mortar, machine gun and sniper commanders’ courses.
This enabled the Infantry Battle School rifle company to conduct clearance operations with some help from military working dogs, the Royal Military Police and medical personnel.
Once the attack ended, the focus switched to live firing involving mortars and light guns which enabled the transition to a defensive footing.
“This is a realistic combined arms battlegroup environment,” said Lt Col Andrew Ryan (Mercian), commanding officer at the Combined Arms Manoeuvre School (CAMS).
“It enables trainees to master the basic skills required for their role, ensures they are exposed to lessons from ongoing operations to help them survive, and enhances their collective lethality by introducing them to a wide range of capabilities.”
Industry partners enhanced the realism with visually modified vehicles, simulation systems and augmented reality, while the deployment of a battlegroup HQ helped personnel understand their role in the big picture.
CAMS Ops Officer Capt Tom Dreaning (RDG) assumed the role of battle captain in the HQ but spent the duration with regimental signaller advanced systems students – further highlighting the level of integration.
“Using multiple nets, I coordinated a battlegroup bubble for them to operate in, making reporting much more meaningful and forcing them to think about what nearby friendly forces might be doing,” he said.
“I’m from an armoured cavalry background, so it was insightful seeing the effort that goes into setting up a light-role dismounted close combat battlegroup HQ – the students grafted hard.”
