300 British soldiers are heading to Mali, here’s how they’ve prepared
The UK Task Group destined for west Africa has completed their Mission Rehearsal Exercise on Salisbury Plain. They‘re ready for Mali.
With a mixture of excitement and anticipation written on their faces, the men and women of the UK Task Group donned their blue berets for the first time. Now with a sense of belonging to something greater than themselves, the troops were about to undertake their Mission Rehearsal Exercise before officially becoming UN Peacekeepers as they head out the door to Mali later this year.
Here’s how it went: 👇
Phase One: Thetford Training Area
The troops assembled at Stanford Training Area where they took to a series of battle lanes to put their skills to the test against unknown scenarios. Loaded in Jackal armoured vehicles, the troops could be seen patrolling the training area reacting to engagements from mock Violent Extremist Organisations or countering an IED threat.
Led by the seasoned soldiers from the Mission Training and Mobilisation Centre (MTMC), the troops were tested against realistic scenarios that they might encounter on the ground in Mali.
Phase Two: Salisbury Plain Training Area
In order to push the Task Group’s abilities further, their assessors from the MTMC issued orders for them to move their entire 300-strong task-group 200 miles south-west to Salisbury Plain Training Area. From there they would await fresh orders.
“In conventional warfare that would be about how we best fight, but in this sort of operation it’s about what is the best option that the United Nations and governor of Mali might be able to take, to potentially diffuse the situation.”
— Commanding Officer of the Light Dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Robinson
Under the cover of darkness, the Task Group began their large road move to a new training area, ready for new challenges. The 300 strong Task Group made their way to Salisbury Plain, staggered through the night with small groups of vehicles leaving throughout. At sunrise, the Task Group arrived at Salisbury Plain Training Area.
As they arrived The Light Dragoons veered off into the depths of the Training Area where they kept a low profile dug into the tree lines. The Royal Anglians set up a Leaguer — a temporary camp — offering protection alongside their support company made up of logisticians, medical staff, signallers and engineers.
A battle-rhythm of orders being issued, patrolling and conducting tasks around the training area ensued. All elements of the task group would be put to the test to prove to the assessors from the MTMC that they were ready for their deployment.
The social landscape in Mali is complex and as such the soldiers from The Royal Anglians had to put their negotiating skills into practice on more than one occasion. While on their patrols they regularly came into contact with disgruntled locals and would use their training to engage with local leaders to diffuse the situation.
As UN Peacekeepers they are impartial, there solely to protect all life and contribute to peace and stability.
The Task Group is a selection of soldiers from both The Light Dragoons and 2 Royal Anglian but also soldiers from across the army including UAV pilots, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) specialists who defeat Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)and also a medical capability which delivers a hospital into the field.
The medics were put to the test when a scenario unfolded where a violent extremist organisation had attacked a local compound, injuring civilians in their wake. It wasn't long before the force protection team from the Royal Anglians were on the scene to secure the area, allowing the team from the Royal Army Medical Corps to attend to civilian casualties.
“This will be a very different mission but one we’re well set for.”
— Commanding Officer of the Light Dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Robinson
After weeks of arduous testing, often in the worst-case scenarios, the troops of the UK Task Group have now completed their Mission Rehearsal Exercise, safe in the knowledge that they are ready for what lies ahead of them in Mali.
These peacekeepers will help to bring peace to West Africa and reduce the spread of extremism in the region.
To be continued…
