Demonstration Day
Under the Army readiness order Op VANGUARD, Army Reserve engineer unit 75 Engr Regt is tasked with providing hybrid amphibious and logistic bridging capability at readiness to support operations. 75 Engr Regt continues to train in this specialist role on numerous exercises, including the Regimental Annual Deployment Exercise (ADE). As in previous years, the Regiment returned this year to Sennelager to complete a two week deployment alongside the German army, the Bundeswehr, and this year we were also joined by a lone US Army Reservist captain on exchange from 688th Engineer Coy.
The Regiment utilised its time in Germany to cover a number of areas of training, including: combat engineering, Operations in Built Up Areas (OBUA), familiarisation training with the Bundeswehr, a demonstration day of various UK and Germany military equipment including the M3 rig, and a three day tactical deployment onto the Training Area.
In what was already a busy two weeks, the Regiment also conducted a battlefield study to Arnhem, adventure training at Monesse and a cultural visit to the local attraction of Webersberg Castle.
23 Amph Tp
“Exercise LEOPARD STAR gave us a great opportunity to get 23 Amph Tp onto the ranges to improve our shooting and cover our Mandatory Annual Training Tests. Embedded within the Reserve squadrons, the Troop deployed onto the exercise, which gave us a perfect chance to improve our already good relationship and to fully test the integration of Regulars and Reserves.
107 Fd Sqn building the LSB
“As with all things amphibious, we wouldn’t have been happy without a chance to brief our M3 rig and its unique capability. Overall this combined training is perfect for the Regiment and helps us to develop the new generation of Amphibious Engineers.” WO2 (QMSI Amph) Simpson RE.
107 Fd Sqn
“After a whirlwind of RSOI (Reception, Staging and Onward Integration) and a quick Battlefield Study it was fantastic to deploy onto the Training Area to practice our core skills whilst coping with some potentially tough German field conditions. One of the highlights of the exercise was the Logisitc Support Bridge (LSB) build. As one of the Regiment’s core functions, and in our drive to become specialists at the task, the opportunity to construct the bridge whilst dealing with fatigue and the weather was one that the Squadron relished. Although we didn’t finish the bridge, the learning curve that we went through was extremely useful.
“The demonstration day was also a real highlight of the deployment, giving us a chance to see up-close the Bundeswehr’s and British Army’s equipment that we don’t often get to see, such as the Challenger 2 MBT. What a great two weeks.” Spr J McCully.
202 Fd Sqn
“As a Squadron we felt that we were well prepared for Ex LEOPARD STAR 15. We were looking forward to all the things we could learn and the opportunity to put some of our skills into practice. One particular piece of training that stands out is the OBUA phase. As Sappers, this isn’t something that we do very often and it was fantastic to learn and practice the skills under instruction of our Permanent Staff Administration Officer (PSAO), an ex-Infantry Officer. Although tired and bruised at the end of the training we all went away happy and with a sense of achievement from learning new skills.
On the exercise phase it was great to be able to practice Heavy and Medium Girder Over Bridge (HGOB and MGOB) builds at various bridging sites, with each site providing its own quirks and annoyances.” LCpl S Leach.
OBUA with the Bundeswehr
LAD
“Keep the kit on the road – a simple brief for the Light Aid Detachment (LAD); drive large numbers of green fleet from the North West of England to Sennelager and back again. This could have brought with it numerous problems, however nothing broke down and everyone arrived safely. Once in Germany the Regiment took over more vehicles and plant equipment, and the LAD split down to Forward Repair Teams within the Squadrons during the deployment.
“The two-man teams were on hand to support the Squadrons and offer advice throughout. The Recovery Mechanics also helped out on numerous occasions, not only recovering a stranded crane but also assisting 1 Royal Irish for their looming deployment to Spain on a NATO exercise.
“For the exercise, two Reservist vehicle mechanic corporals joined the LAD from 101 Bn REME, and added huge value. Both vocational vehicle mechanics in civvie street, they brought an in depth skill set and taught us all many things along the way. Having the opportunity to bring the LAD together, normally split between UK and Germany, was a great chance to test all personnel and make the most of the Westfalian hospitality.” Capt R Bate, OC LAD.
In summary, Ex LEOPARD STAR 15 provided 75 Engr Regt with an excellent training opportunity for its specialist role, working alongside the Bundeswehr, developing the integration of both Regular and Reserve Soldiers, all whilst hosting a US Army Reserve Officer whilst deployed overseas.
EMPLOYER ABROAD VISIT
75 Engineer Regiment also invited unit personnel’s’ civilian employers to Sennelager to visit LEOPARD STAR 2015. The exercise enabled the Regiment to complete wider combat engineer training in a field environment and provided an opportunity to practice interoperability with the Germany Army (Bundeswehr).
CO 75 Eng Regt briefs employers
The aim of the visit was to inform employers of the benefits of employing Army Reserve personnel and give them a chance to meet their employees in a military environment.
The Regiment hosted Ewen Miller, Managing Director of Calderpeel Limited; David Skyner, Senior Probation Officer for Cheshire and Manchester; Kevin Miller, Senior Operations Manager for BT Openreach; and, Julie Wall, Area Catering Coordinator for Oldham Council. CO 75 Engr Regt, Lt Col Alan Mason RE, gave the visitors an overview of the Regiment’s role, mission and challenges, along with the personal development opportunities available today through joining the Army Reserve.
An excursion onto the exercise area provided employers with the opportunity to see their employees at work in a military environment. The employees provided individual briefs on their roles with the Regiment and gave examples of the management, leadership and technical skills they had developed during their reserve service.
During the visit the employers were also able to discuss key issues with Comd 12 (Force Support) Engineer Group, Col Matthew Quare MBE, who thanked the employers for taking the time to visit their employees whilst away with the Army Reserve and highlighted the need for engagement between Army Reserve units and local employers.
The feedback from the employers said that the visit had enhanced their knowledge and understanding of the Reserves and were all very keen to promote the message to other key employers within the region.
75 Engr Regt offers an excellent opportunity for any 18-50 year old to conduct military training in their spare time. Those who take part are usually looking for a greater challenge and a chance to enhance their leadership and management skills whilst experiencing some of the best training environments in the world. All this is combined with working with cutting edge modern technology whilst gaining experience that could take years to build in a civilian employment.
For further information about employing members of the Army Reserve, or taking on the challenge yourself, search ‘Army Jobs’, call the 75 Engr Regt Recruiting Office on 01925 642839 or email [email protected]
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