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Cpl. Mick Simpson straps on his helmet as training begins
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48th BCT Public Affairs
OKEHAMPTON TRAINING CAMP, United Kingdom – Belying the beauty that is Dartmoor is the unpredictable hilly terrain and marshes of the protected natural preserve southwest of London. The vast lands owned by the Prince of Wales, felt a bit of Georgia’s heat during the Lightning Brigade’s recent transatlantic annual training.
In mid- September, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment Soldiers, representing the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team embarked on a reciprocal training mission to “train for the race.” A concept that Britain’s new Ministry of Defense, Regimental Sergeant Major of Infantry (RSM), Harry French said he feels will build individual confidence and allow the Soldier, British or American, autonomy when it counts.
“Fundamentally the advantage of our training to the 48th Brigade Soldier, as it relates to this Territorial Army/Reserve piece, is that the (British) Army have a more adaptive concept of training for THE War, whether it is in Iraq or Afghanistan,” explains WO1 French who is familiar with the Lightning Brigade and its combat tactics. As the RSM, for the Kings Own Border Regiment in 2005, he and his Soldiers arrived in An Nasiriyah at the same time as 48th IBCT. “Of greater significance is the ability to do training that allows the individual (combat) flexibility in making snap decisions during those crucial moments and give the Soldier an edge in adapting to the environment.”
Adaptability also involved familiarity. Comanche Coy, the name given to citizen-soldiers of C Company’s were introduced to the British Army’s individual weapon, SA80, the high intensity qualification live-fire sequences and, of course -- the language.
“I was a little surprised when we got off the bus and they were talking about scoff, kit (chow and equipment) and kept asking me if I was ‘happy with that,’ “ Private 1st Class Raymond Harton, a gunner from Carrollton, Ga. recalled. “I wasn’t too happy sleeping out in a field of turds but looking back I gotta say I loved the challenge and it’s part of the sacrifice you make as a Soldier.”
During the 48th’s July ’07 annual training at Fort Stewart; 4 Yorks Soldiers of B Company were introduced to the American urban warfare methodology of four-man fighting teams and -- that it gets mighty hot in Georgia. Temperatures of 104 degrees met with humidity levels that easily reached 100 percent proved daunting for the British accustomed to more temperate climes.
“We don’t experience weather quite like this,” said Corporal Mick Simpson, 4 Yorks team-leader earlier this summer while in Georgia as he boarded a Black Hawk bound for Camp Blanding, Fla. “Aside from the heat the lads have enjoyed the weapons training and combat maneuvers.”
Optimistically the British Soldiers agreed that the flat terrain offset the challenge of acclimation. “Comanche” Soldiers weren’t quite as adapting of the moors. Camouflaged bogs coupled with the cold, damp terrain had the “Comanches” resetting their battle rhythms to prevent serious injury.
“We came to learn what it takes to work as a team, whether it is as a combined coalition effort or as a Charlie Company fire-team,” Sergeant Kenaz Evans laughingly stated as he cared for a vital piece of equipment --his feet. Evans is a combat veteran who served with the 48th IBCT during OIF 03.5 and works in Columbus, Ga. as a Corrections Officer for the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice.
“This is our first mission since we returned from OIF,” the 1st platoon team leader explained. “We have a ton of new guys with us and this is our chance to focus on the most significant thing and that’s team development.”
Team building was a non-stated part of the day-to-day training regime. British and American Soldiers found commonalities commiserating about those things typical to Soldiering. Field rations, long hours, managing family are constants but they appreciated more the opportunity to build new bonds as brothers with a common cause.
Lance Corporal Jonathan D. Carter is a Territorial Soldier who works as a policeman in Manchester, England. Embedded as a signalman for the Georgia Soldiers he marveled at the determination of the ‘Georgia boys’ and admired their ability to laugh in light of the challenges.
“Super nice guys,” said Carter. “I have enjoyed learning the battle tactics, planning and maneuvers…it’s been difficult for many of the lads but the camaraderie has been absolutely fantastic.”
“This is one of the hardest things I’ve done as far as training, I won’t lie about that,” Harton, agreed adding sheepishly, “my hope is that we incorporate how they train into what we do.”