The glow of a full snow moon in February cuts a striking backdrop across the Tapa training area in Estonia.<\/p>\n
More so when the military hardware of the Royal Tank Regiment<\/a> rolls onto the scene, in addition to US Abrams main battle tanks, French armoured troop carriers and the infantry fighting vehicles of the Estonian 1st Infantry Brigade.<\/p>\n Also joining the NATO force projection are soldiers in Jackal 2\u2019s from\u00a02nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment<\/a> who linked into Exercise Winter Camp after moving up from Poland and through Lithuania and Latvia.<\/p>\n Lieutenant Colonel Mark Luson is the Commanding Officer for the Royal Tank Regiment and heads up the Forward Land Forces Battlegroup in Estonia, which includes nearly 1,000 soldiers.<\/p>\n A formidable alliance on frozen ground<\/p>\n \u201cThe temperatures dropped significantly since we\u2019ve been out here and that\u2019s one of the challenges, to fight through it and thrive in the extreme cold,\u201d said Lt Col Luson, who noted how conditions have dipped close to minus 30 degrees at night.<\/p>\n \n \u201cWe\u2019ve all learned from each other, particularly in such tough conditions and that makes us better for the fight.”\n <\/p>\n \n Lt Col Mark Luson, Commanding Officer The Royal Tank Regiment\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe tanks have learned to operate through the frozen ground and have been able to get to more places than when we were here previously, when it was swampy and marshy.<\/p>\n Learning from each other in extreme cold<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s the additional benefit of strengthening the way we work with all our NATO partners here in country, including the Estonians, the US tank company and our French Infantry Marine counterparts, who have so much experience of operating in the cold of the Alps.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve all learned from each other, particularly in such tough conditions and that makes us better for the fight.<\/p>\n \u201cAs NATO we always stand ready for whatever may happen.\u201d<\/p>\n The Poachers and artillery support<\/p>\n 2 Royal Anglian soldiers from D Company, The Poachers, have provided the opposing force as part of the multinational set up at Tapa. \u00a0<\/p>\n Also in Estonia are the Fire Support Team from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery<\/a> and the MSS (Multimode Surveillance System) Team from 5th Regiment Royal Artillery<\/a>, who operate the Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar to track artillery, mortar fires, drones and aircraft.<\/p>\n \n \u201cThe Jackal can deal with complex terrain and the weather conditions are arduous, down to minus 28 degrees at night.”\n <\/p>\n \n Capt Hamish MacKellar, Officer Commanding D Company, The Poachers\n <\/p>\n Captain Hamish MacKellar, from Gloucestershire, is the Officer Commanding D Company\u2019s Anti-Tank Platoon.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWe have the ability to manoeuvre around the battlefield very quickly and dismount from our vehicles.<\/p>\n \u201cThis gives us all of the advantages of an infantry force, being able to easily conceal ourselves in a shoot-and-scoot scenario, or strike and withdraw, while still maintaining the operational and strategic mobility, which is a different problem set from a like-on-like conflict.<\/p>\n \u201cThe HMVT (high mobility truck variant) Jackal can deal with complex terrain and the weather conditions are arduous, down to minus 28 degrees at night.<\/p>\n \n \u201cWhile we\u2019re constantly refining our methods, this is part of the enduring battle rhythm of the British Army, always working alongside our partners.”\n <\/p>\n \n Capt Hamish MacKellar\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis means your tactics, techniques and procedures have to be spot on.<\/p>\n Layered for the fight<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re in a situation where you have to cover any exposed skin with various layers, including those which can be removed very quickly when we go static in order to fight on our feet.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s having the mobility to move rapidly and effectively, but then ensuring you layer back up when you\u2019re about to punch out again.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we\u2019re constantly refining our methods, this is part of the enduring battle rhythm of the British Army, always working alongside our partners.<\/p>\n \u201cThe NATO Forward Land Forces presence is incredibly important and has endured for 18 rotations in Poland, 17 in Estonia and it means we have a very strong foundation.<\/p>\n \u201cThese rotations mean we get better and better at what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The glow of a full snow moon in February cuts a striking backdrop across the Tapa training 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