Combat and Survival November 2014

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Combat & Survival 03

In mid-September 40 Commando
undertook an amphibious landing
in Albania as part of the COUGAR
‘14 deployment [Crown Copyright:
POA(Phot) Sean Clee]
Over the third weekend in September some

of B Squadron from the Light Dragoons
participated on the multinational Ex. RAPID
TRIDENT in Ukraine
[Crown Copyright: Cpl Jamie Peters]
Hong Kong and the Chinese issue is
an unknown quantity at the moment,
but gut reaction is that China will
probably back off a little on the
democracy clampdown as the last
thing it needs is any form of Western
trade embargo affecting its current
commercial growth. Having seen just
how fearsome China’s Special Ops
guys are one has to wonder if maybe
the People’s Liberation Army is just as
capable, and if they are things could
turn nasty in HK. We will find out more
about Chinese Forces next month as
our Far East Correspondent, Gordon
Arthur, had already submitted a
fascinating feature on the PLA before
the current protests kicked off.
Finally, as can be seen from the

photos on this page, the autumn
In late September A Company of 3 Para participated on Ex. ANAKONDA exercise season is well and truly
in Poland alongside Polish Paras [Crown Copyright: Cpl Andy Reddy ] underway on the European Mainland.
The big stories as this issue interesting times, but at least Unfortunately, however, the Whitehall
of C&S goes to print are: the the British Army is not going to spin machine is at work generating
commencement of Operation be further weakened by losing propaganda which they wish us
SHADER, the UK’s strike the Scottish Regiments and to publish for them and access for
contribution to the Air War support formations. specialist media to independently
against the insurgency in The cover the events has not been
T
Levant which is calling itself he biggest worry is probably not forthcoming. One wonders what they
Islamic State; there is civil that the Ruskies will start off World are trying to hide. Could it be low troop
unrest on the streets of Hong War Three, as sooner or later numbers participating or could it be
Kong as the Chinese authorities they will have to work alongside lack of suitable equipment? Maybe the
try to impose restrictions on the NATO and Gulf States coalition to clues, such as nobody wearing even
forthcoming elections; those prevent fundamentalism further afflicting basic eye protection and many troops
given a free vote in Scotland their nation too. The big fear is that carrying non-matching webbing and
have rejected Independence ‘mission creep’ will see British Land bergens etc., lie in the few photos that
by a reasonable majority; and, Forces being sucked into The Levant have been released so far. Incidentally,
although there are indications (the Eastern Mediterranean region) as despite further requests for dates to
that the Ukrainian Government the only way to hold ground is to put allow us to cover the much-vaunted
and Russian separatists are boots on it, and arming potential future Exercise BLACK EAGLE in Poland,
beginning to find common enemies to hold that ground is really not two full months down the line the
ground for negotiation, the a good idea. Afghanistan and, to some renamed Department of Defence
Russian Bear is showing extent Syria, has proved that beyond Communications has still not got its
little indication of going back doubt. My enemy’s enemy is not always act together and communicated!
into hibernation. We live in my friend. - BM

The Kampfschwimmer are the
Special Forces of the German
Navy, in just the same way that
the Special Boat Service (SBS)
is the Special Forces unit of
the Royal Navy. April 2014
saw the Kampfschwimmer
kompanie celebrating its
50th anniversary, while at the
same time becoming part of
the newly formed Kommando
Spezialkräfte der Marine
(KSM). This anniversary struck
us as a good enough reason
to bring C&S readers a short
update on the German Naval
SF, accompanied by images
taken this summer, and to brief
you on their history.
A two man
Kampfschwimmer
team armed with
5.56mm G36K A2
carbines goes ashore
- they wear desert
combats over their
diving suits as these
provide the best
camouflage in the
surf zone

The H1010 DJ RHIB
is powered by two
Yanmar 6LY2A-STP
engines that together
develop 850hp and
are connected to two
Kamewa Type FF240
waterjets - it can
reach a top speed of
well above 50 knots
T
ranslated into English the term in crisis regions such as in the waters
Kampfschwimmer just means off Lebanon and Somalia. They might
combat diver, but in reality these also reconnoitre enemy-held harbours
operators are much more. They are and naval installations in support of
highly trained Special Forces personnel preparations for an attack or a non-
who, among other skills, are trained in combatant evacuation operation. Strikes
the science of diving and, in addition to against vital harbour infrastructure and
conducting missions in the water, they command posts can also be carried
employ this skill as a means of infiltra- out by the Kampfschwimmer, as well as
tion to reach their objective as well as attacks on key personnel such as high
for exfiltration. ranking officers.
Today the Kampfschwimmer have the OLDEST GERMAN

following main missions:- SPECIAL FORCES
• Conduct special reconnaissance Within the German Armed Forces the
missions in crisis and conflict zones in Kampfschwimmer are the Special
order to gain key information Forces with the longest history. In 1955
• Conduct offensive and direct action the Bundeswehr was newly established
missions in order to neutralise the threat as the armed forces of the Federal
caused by terrorists and irregular forces Republic of Germany, which included
• Conduct hostage rescue operations also a naval branch called Marine. While
• Conduct covert operations establishing an amphibious capability
• Conduct force protection missions within the German Navy it was discovered
for own personnel and assets when that there was a requirement for trained
these are deployed under unusual Kampfschwimmer.
circumstances
• Provide foreign forces with training In 1958 work was begun to establish
support in the science of combat diving a Kampfschwimmer unit, instructors
and small unit amphibious warfare skills were trained at the École de Pologée de
• Arrest or neutralise targets with a high la Marine diving school of the French
tactical and strategic value both in the Navy in Saint Mandrier sur Mer in Above: With his 9mm The main mission of the
maritime environment and ashore southern France. A year later in 1959 P8C Combat Pistol ready Kampfschwimmer back then was to
the Kampfschwimmerzug, a combat a Kampfschwimmer assist in the preparation of amphibious
Kampfschwimmer are trained to diver platoon, was officially formed as landings, for example by conducting
boards a vessel using a
conduct opposed boardings in order part of the Strandmeister kompanie or underwater and beach reconnaissance
to seize ships that are in the hands of
boarding ladder - as not
beachmaster company based on the coming ashore he does tasks. In 1963 the Kampfschwimmer
conventional enemy forces, pirates or island of Borkum. In the same year a first moved from Borkum to their current base
terrorists and can also protect ships of
not wear camouflage
batch of 13 soldiers began their training in Eckernförde and in 1964 the platoon
the German Navy from attacks under pattern uniform over his
at the naval base at List on the island of was restructured into an independent
the surface, for example when serving Sylt to become Kampfschwimmer.
diving suit company designated Kampfschwimmer
10 Combat & Survival

1 2
kompanie and assigned directly under Bundeswehr in order to test local security
the command of the Amphibische arrangements.
Gruppe (amphibious forces) of the
German Navy. COUNTER TERRORISM AND
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Dated 1st April 1964 the formation As a reaction to the Munich Massacre
order Aufstellungsbefehl Nummer by Palestinian terrorists of the Black
124 for the Kampfschwimmer September group during the 1972
kompanie listed the following tasks Olympic Games the Grenzschutzgruppe
for it: conducting combat diver 9 counter terrorist unit was formed within
missions against ships, docks, port the German border police. The newly
infrastructure, sluices and so on; beach formed GSG 9 included an amphibious 1: The Dräger LAR the US Navy. Cooperation with the Bad
reconnaissance; and conducting element and the Kampfschwimmer 5010 re-breather Tölz based 10th Special Forces Group
special operations. In addition to kompanie played a major role in its allows the of the US Army was also intensified. The
this the company was also tasked
with training new Kampfschwimmer
formation and training. In return the Kampfschwimmer to cooperation with the SEALs was highly
Kampfschwimmer gained an insight into productive, the Germans helping the
and ensuring that combat ready conduct tactical diving
the art of conducting counter-terrorist SEALs to regain their combat diver skills
Kampfschwimmer were keeping their operations, today this being part of their
operations down to which they had partly lost during their
operational edge. major missions. a depth of 10m due excessive Vietnam War employment
to its closed circuit and introduced them to the latest
Kampfschwimmer training was now Today the GSG 9 and the it does not produce diving technology, such as Dräger LAR
partly conducted at List on the island Kampfschwimmer still maintain a compromising air rebreather systems, while in turn the
of Sylt and partly in Eckernförde with close link; annually GSG 9 operators bubbles [Bundeswehr: Kampfschwimmer learned a lot about
the basic diving training taking place
at List while open water diving and
take part in the diving training of the Andrea Bienert] striking against land targets from the
Kampfschwimmer and regularly the sea or rivers as well as about riverine
tactical training was conducted at units conduct counter-terrorist exercises warfare.
Eckernförde. During this time the together in maritime environment. In
2: View from above
Kampfschwimmer were first also 1980 even an official document was into an H1010 DJ In 1974 the Kampfschwimmer kompanie
required to pass the parachute course signed that ratified the cooperation of Rigid Hull Inflatable moved into newly built barracks in
and the Einzelkämpfer irregular warfare, the Kampfschwimmer and the GSG 9 in Boat (RHIB) of the Eckernförde. Around the same time it
Survival, Escape and Evasion course at the fields of equipment development and Kampfschwimmer became fully responsible for all parts
the Luftlande- und Lufttransportschule training. kompanie - note the of the Kampfschwimmer training and
(airborne forces school) of the German
Army in Altenstadt during their initial
12.7mm M2QCB heavy a training platoon was established
The 1970s also saw the machineguns fore under its command. The personnel of
training. The Kampfschwimmer Kampfschwimmer forging closer links the company was supplemented by a
kompanie now had acquired a sea/air/ to similar units of other NATO members
and aft dive doctor and other specialists. On
land capability and regularly practised such as the Special Boat Service (SBS) the mission side, it was now planned
it during exercises. of the Royal Navy, the Frømandskorps of Left: Using by the German Navy to employ the
the Royal Danish Navy and the SEALs of compressed air the Kampfschwimmer more offensively as a
During Exercise HOP CROC, a shortcut REBS launcher can means of naval warfare in case the Cold
for hopping crocodile, for example project a grapnel War turned hot. In fact, the employment
a platoon of Kampfschwimmer was
with an attached of the Kampfschwimmer was regarded
inserted at last light by parachute, as a means of force protection for
then infiltrated by foot to the coast
lightweight rope
naval shipping and installations as they
and on the third day attacked naval ladder for boarding were to neutralise threats long before
assets in a port using their diving skills. to a height of 20 these could result in any damage.
The unit was also regularly employed metres - the grapnel is The Kampfschwimmer kompanie was
to simulate attacks on strategically made of high strength even assigned high value targets on
important infrastructure of the aluminium the territory of the German Democratic

3
kompanie.
4
On the mission side, the offensive tasks
of the Kampfschwimmer were cut back
and again reconnaissance and force
protection for naval assets became the
main focus. A new task was Combat
Search and Rescue (CSAR), requiring
the Kampfschwimmer to be able to
search for downed aircraft and rescue
their crews at open sea and in coastal
areas. Another task given to the company
was to conduct Explosive Ordnance
Republic, some of them being
situated far inland, that would have
Above: After hiding Recognition (EOR).
to be neutralised in case of a conflict. their Dräger LAR

From 1993 to 1996, the German Navy
5010 re-breathers took part in Operation SHARP GUARD in
The late 1970s and 1980s saw a Kampfschwimmer the Adriatic Sea, the NATO-led blockade
the combat capabilities of the team advances to its off the coast of the former Yugoslavia
Kampfschimmer being drastically objective - note the while a bloody civil war was fought in
improved. This was partly achieved well camouflaged the country. Aboard the German ships
by the invention of new equipment
5.56mm G36K Kampfschwimmer served as boarding
such as Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB)
and the P11 underwater pistol. The
A2 carbine of the teams, over the years conducting some
Kampfschwimmer in 260 boarding operations, searching
Kampfschwimmer now also regularly suspicious vessels for any sign of arms
trained under different climatic the foreground kompanie was embarked on the smuggling.
conditions, for example in Tropical ships.
or Arctic zones. The opposed 3: The smallest tactical Parallel to the employment of
boarding of ships and oil rigs was Kampfschwimmer In October 1991, triggered by the end Kampfschwimmer under Operation
also now part of the standard training asset is a two-man of the Cold War, the Seebataillon was SHARP GUARD, elements of the
conducted by the Kampfschwimmer.
team known as Rotte disbanded as a result of the changes Kampfschwimmer kompanie also
SEEBATAILLON COMMAND AND - here a Rotte can in the German Navy structure. saw action in Somalia in 1994. They
be seen advancing The Kampfschwimmer kompanie provided security for the extraction of
THE WAFFENTAUCHER GRUPPE together with the Minentaucher the last German UNOSOM II contingent
From December 1988 onwards the underwater to an kompanie (mine clearance diver which boarded ships of the German
Kampfschwimmer kompanie fell objective through the company) was now assigned to Navy in the port of Mogadishu. In
under command of the newly formed murky waters of a port the newly formed Waffentaucher addition to conducting force protection
Seebataillon, which also included basin [Bundeswehr: gruppe (armed divers group) which operations for the involved ships, the
the Strandmeister kompanie Andrea Bienert] in turn fell under the command of the Kampfschwimmer also conducted
(beachmaster company). During the Flottille der Minenstreitkräfte (mine counter-terrorist and counter-sniper
time of the 1991 Gulf War, German
Navy ships were deployed to the
4: Kampfschwimmer warfare flotilla). The Waffentaucher operations on land in support of the
Mediterranean and later, after the are highly trained gruppe also included two training and withdrawing land forces.
support vessels for mine clearance
end of hostilities, were sent to clear Special Forces divers and a newly established SPEZIALISIERTE EINSATZKRÄFTE
mines in the Persian Gulf. This operators that literally Ausbildungs kompanie (training MARINE (SEK M)
deployment is regarded as the can be employed company) that was responsible for In September 1997 the German Army
first out-of-area operation of the anywhere in the world the training of new Kampfschwimmer established its own Special Forces unit
Bundeswehr; for force protection for nearly any type of and Minentaucher. Along with this with the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK).
purposes, a large proportion of the Spec Ops mission restructuring went a reduction of the
personnel of the Kampfschwimmer strength of the Kampfschwimmer Continued on page 14

Continuing from page 12 craft, a diver training vessel and a Main Image: The
special vessel for the execution of
The KSK was formed as reaction
counter-mine diver operations. The
H1010 DJ RHIB is
on the Rwanda crisis, during which
restructuring was supposed to join all
10metres long and
German hostages had to be freed
amphibious, specialist and Special 3.5 metres wide
by Belgian troops due to the fact that with a draught
Forces assets of the German Navy
that no suitable German forces for
the job were thought to be available.
under one HQ in order to streamline of 610mm - its
The Kampfschwimmer or even the
training, personnel management and hull is glass fibre
Kommando kompanien commando
so on. reinforced plastic
companies within the airborne and it has a payload
In 2005 a joint command for the
brigades of the German Army
operational employment of the
of 2,182kg with
certainly would have been able to fulfil
Special Forces of the Bundeswehr
a gross weight of
the task, but let us not get caught in
was established with the creation of 8,004kg
politics.
the Kommando Führung Operationen
Like the GSG 9 previously,
von Spezialkräften (Kdo FOSK), Right: Over their
the KSK was also to have an
which was later integrated into the diving suits these
amphibious element and again
Einsatzführungs kommando der Kampfschwimmer
the Kampfschwimmer assisted in
Bundeswehr (armed forces operations wear the Tactical
command). Under a joint concept
its formation and training. Today Harness1000 made
for Special Operations introduced at
both units are still bound by a close
the same time the Kampfschwimmer
by Dräger which
relationship, with training conducted
were given the task of dealing with features a MOLLE
jointly and personnel regularly
the seaward proportion of Special system to allow
exercising together.
Operations, including special easy fitting of
In 2003 the Waffentaucher
surveillance and reconnaissance, magazine, radio
gruppe was transformed into the
direct action and military assistance and other types of
Spezialisierte Einsatzkräfte Marine
as well as to conduct non combatant pouches
evacuation operations and hostage
(SEK M) or Maritime Special Forces.
Under the HQ of the SEK M fell the
rescue operations within the maritime ISAF, UNIFIL AND ATALANTA
environment. The Kampfschwimmer From 2004 to date Kampfschwimmer
Kampfschwimmer kompanie, the
are also tasked to provide support to have been repeatedly deployed to
Minentaucher kompanie, a newly
the KSK of the German Army whenever Afghanistan, serving as part of Operation
established Boarding Kompanie,
this is required, for example during the ENDURING FREEDOM or with the
the Ausbildungs inspektion
infiltration and exfiltration phase of a German International Security Assistance
(training centre), two utility landing
Special Forces operation. Force (ISAF) contingent. Together with

5 6
element, three operational elements

KSK operators they were employed in KOMMANDO SPEZIALKRÄFTE 5: During an opposed called Einsatzteams and the
the land-locked country with very few DER MARINE (KSM)
inland waters to fight Al-Qaeda and to
boarding operation tactical support elements for sea,
conduct operations against the Taliban
On 1st April, 2014, exactly 50 years after a Kampfschwimmer land and air operations; known as
it was first formed, the Kampfschwimmer
in support of the conventional ISAF armed with a Einsatzgruppe See, Einsatzgruppe
kompanie was placed under the newly
forces. formed Kommando Spezialkräfte der
5.56mm G36K A1 Land and Einsatzgruppe Luft. The
Marine (KSM). By forming the KSM carbine emerges tactical support elements are manned
Simultaneously, from 2006 onwards the German Navy established an from the deep close by specially trained NCOs who are,
Kampfschwimmer were deployed on to the target vessel. however, not Kampfschwimmer but
independent command for its Special
German Navy vessels belonging to specialists who for example operate
Forces in order to improve their ability to
the maritime component of the United the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB)
deal with current and future operations. 6: Kampfschwimmer of the Kampfschwimmer kompanie.
Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
(UNIFIL). The main mission of the
Training, further education, development use Bio-Fin-Pro split
of new equipment and tactics, service
maritime component is to secure the fins made by Apollo KAMPFSCHWIMMER TRAINING
support and so on are now under one
coast of Lebanon and to prevent umbrella.
Sports Inc. (USA) - The training to become a fully
any arms smuggling. Therefore seen here attached operational Kampfschwimmer takes
the Kampfschwimmer were mainly In addition to the Kampfschwimmer by a carabiner - the three years, is very challenging and
employed to conduct force protection kompanie, the KSM includes an HQ 20° angled blades regarded as one of the toughest
within the German Armed Forces.
tasks for the deployed German ships as element, a training element responsible of the fins reduce Only NCOs and officers are accepted
well as to conduct visit, board, search for the Kampfschwimmer training, fatigue while giving for service as Kampfschwimmer
and seizure (VBSS) operations. a medical section and a support maximum swimming and have to volunteer to do so.
and maintenance element, all in all
With the sky-rocketing pirate activity approximately 150 personnel, of which
speed Before being allowed to participate
in the waters off Somalia, the EU-led some 60 are fully trained, combat ready in the physically and psychologically
multinational counter-piracy Operation Kampfschwimmer. The KSM is able to Images © challenging Kampfschwimmer
ATALANTA was launched. German provide Kampfschwimmer assets for two Carl Schulze selection course the volunteers
Navy ships have been employed off independent Special Forces operations, unless noted have to pass the two month long
the Somali coast since 2008. Personnel of which one could be sustained for a Schwimmtaucher ausbildung
of the Boarding Kompanie and longer period of time. These operations (basic diving training) course at
Kampfschwimmer are based aboard the can be conducted anywhere worldwide the Einsatz ausbildungs zentrum
German ships with the former tasked to under any type of climate, including Arctic Schadensabwehr (navy training
conduct VBSS operations while the latter winter weather, Tropical hot and humid centre) in Neustadt.
are earmarked for opposed boardings, weather and arid hot and dry weather.
missions to immobilise pirate vessels or Once they have qualified as a naval
to free crews held as hostages by the The Kampfschwimmer kompanie diver the volunteers then have to
pirates. today is itself divided into a command master the six week Kampfschwimmer

7 8 7: After boarding
a ship a group of
Kampfschwimmer
speedily moves
upwards to take the
bridge under their
control
8: It takes three
years training
to become a
fully operational
Kampfschwimmer
- the course is very
challenging and
regarded as one of
the toughest within
the German Armed
Forces
Below: A
Kampfschwimmer
during boarding drills
training - standard
armament is a
5.56mm G36K A1
carbine with 9mm
P8C pistol carried as
close quarters and
back-up weapon
selection, one of the toughest, if not course held at one of the driver training
the toughest, within the Bundeswehr. schools of the Bundeswehr.
Usually less than 10% of the volunteers
pass selection and are allowed to start Once a volunteer has successfully
with the long Kampfschwimmer training. completed his Kampfschwimmer
training he is awarded the famous
The Kampfschwimmer-specific part Kampfschwimmer badge showing a
of the training is conducted in-house saw-fish in front of a parachute and an
and includes tactics, operational oak leaf crest. But Kampfschwimmer
procedures, weapons handling and training does not end here, with the
live firing, close quarter battle training, qualification as Kampfschwimmer
tactical diving, medical training, the specialisation training begins.
opposed boarding training, commando- In the next six to twelve months the
style land operations training, infiltration Kampfschwimmer will now be trained
and exfiltration training using different in at least one of the following special
means of transportation such as skills: HAHO/HALO parachuting, EOD/
speedboats and kayaks, underwater IEDD, breacher, tactical exploitation
infiltration and exfiltration from operations, sniper, signaller or Joint
submarines, team leader training, Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). In
mission planning training, underwater addition he will be trained to execute
demolition training and so on. Acquiring Kampfschwimmer missions under
the speed boat driving license is also different climatic conditions.
part of the training.
UNIQUE FEATURE
During his three years of With its Kampfschwimmer the German
Kampfschwimmer training the volunteer Navy can field highly capable Special
also attends courses at schools Forces that can literally be employed
of the German Navy and German anywhere in the world, for nearly any
Army, such as the irregular warfare type of Special Forces mission. Of
Einzelkämpferkurs, survival, escape course other German Special Forces,
and evasion course, or the Fallschirm such as the Kommando Spezialkräfte
springer ausbildung parachute of the German Army, can do this as
training course at the Luftlande- und well and even have an amphibious
Lufttransportschule airborne forces capability, but the Kampfschwimmer
school of the German Army in are the only German Special Forces unit
Altenstadt, an English language course that are true experts in the art of tactical
held at the Marine operations schule combat diving and as such have an
in Bremerhaven and a driving licence unique feature.

Gunner, C (Special
Duties) Company, 1
Regiment AFM

Malta’s natural
harbours were
fortified by the
Knights of St. John in
the 16th Century
Part of the British

Empire in WWII, the 1
island was awarded
the George Cross by
the King in 1942 for
harbours but since 1964,
standing up to the when granted independence
Nazis by Britain, it has been
totally self-governing and
this year it celebrates its
Fortieth anniversary as
a Republic. At the end of
August C&S was invited to
‘the George Cross island’
in the sun to exclusively
photograph her Armed
Forces.
M
alta’s location halfway
between the Straits of
Gibraltar and The Levant - it
is about 175 miles (285km)
east of Tunisia and just over 200
miles (325km) north of Libya but
just 50 miles (80km) south of Sic-
ily - puts it on the very frontline of
today’s unrest between the troubled 2
Arab / Muslim nations and the pre-
dominantly Christian, some would
say more liberal and most would
agree more economically attractive
to refugees, European mainland to
The nation of Malta 1: Many of AFM’s the north. For more than a decade,
comprises an archipelago of but more so since the outbreak of
small Mediterranean islands,
traditions originate
from the British the ‘Arab Spring’ or ‘Jasmine Revo-
in total measuring just over lution’ along the southern shores of
300 square kilometres or 120 Army the Mediterranean in 2011, Malta
square miles, at a strategic has been heavily involved in both
point between the continents 2: This year AFM policing the boatloads of migrants
of Africa and Europe. Since adopted MultiCam being trafficked northwards from
Phoenician times it has been combat uniform Africa and attempting to prevent The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM)
fought over, and occupied, (see Page 46) fundamentalist terrorists gaining ac- in addition to being an organisation
by many major powers intent cess to Europe under cover of a tide “tasked with primary defence functions
on securing its sheltered of humanity seeking a better life. and safeguarding national sovereignty

HQ staff in the
Search and Rescue
Coordination Centre
shortly before a major
rescue operation
commenced on 28th
August
3 4 3: HQ personnel 5
Stable Belt carries
on the traditions
of the Royal Malta
Artillery
4: Malta’s official
languages, which
all troops speak,
are Maltese and
English
and interest, both in peacetime
and in crisis” also contributes to Left: Garrison
international Crises Management Sergeant Major
Operations. Indeed on the very
and a gunner from
day C&S arrived on the island
AFM’s Special Duties Enhanced
the HQ Staff on
Boarding Team (SDEBT), who had
the steps of the
just returned from participating on Headquarters
the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR)
Operation ATALANTA off the Horn 5: Regimental
of Africa, were receiving their Policeman from
operational medals aboard the 1 Regiment - he
Dutch frigate HNLMS De Zeven wears a black personnel, it also plays a major role
Provinciën which had just returned pistol belt instead in Mediterranean Maritime Search &
from patrolling off Somalia. of a stable belt - Rescue, monitoring and patrolling a
his cap badge is massive area of international waters
Despite Malta only being a tiny derived from that from Tunisia and Sicily all the way
nation, with a population of less
of the Royal Malta east to Crete. The AFM Operations
than half a million and a combined
military force of just a few thousand
Artillery Centre at their Luqa Headquarters
houses the Malta Search and Rescue

Coordination Centre for both
maritime and aeronautical incidents,
which coordinates all SAR missions
in the region. On the morning when
most of the accompanying photos
were taken, the RCC sprang into
action to coordinate the rescue of
The images on this page over 250 souls from a foundering
are of a four-man fire vessel by the AFM Maritime
team from ‘C’ (Special Squadron’s Offshore Patrol Vessel
Duties) Company of 1 P52 and Austal Patrol Vessel P24.
Regiment AFM which is
tasked with maintaining The Armed Forces of Malta is a
Force Elements At tri-service brigade-sized formation
Readiness (FEAR) (its current commander is Brigadier
able to deploy on local Jeffrey Curmi, who was awarded the
or foreign operations Cane of Honour at RMA Sandhurst
at short notice. They in 1996) which comprises an
wear the recently Headquarters, three battalion-sized
land forces Regiments, an Air Wing
introduced MultiCam with both helicopters and fixed
combat uniform which wing patrol aircraft, and a Maritime
is quite closely based Squadron with patrol boats, plus
on the British Soldier an Emergency Volunteer Reserve
‘95 design. Primary Force. During our brief visit we
weapons include AK47 concentrated on the Regiments,
(Modified), H&K MP5K, which consist of career Regulars
and H&K MP5SD with who sign up for 25 years’ service
Beretta 92FS pistols with a full pension at the end. We
carried as secondary hope to return to Malta in the future
weapons - we will cover to cover her Air Wing and Maritime
these in a little more Squadron, subject to operational
commitments.
detail next month
1st Regiment AFM is Malta’s
Infantry formation and consists
of: an Headquarters Company,
which provides Combat support

6 8
6 & 7: These two 9

gunners serve with
‘A’ Company of
1 Regiment AFM
whose primary
mission is to secure
Malta International
Airport including
guarding access
points and patrolling
its perimeter - for
routine duties
they are armed
with Beretta 92FS
pistols - note either
including signals, pioneer, motor beret or cap can be
transport, quartermaster, armoury, worn dependent on
and regimental police; A Company, location
which is primarily responsible
for airport security; B Company, 8, 9 & 10: 3
which is responsible for internal Regiment AFM 10
and Mechanical Engineering
security patrols, guarding key comprises Electrical Squadron. 4th Regiment consists
points and securing government
establishments; C (Special Duties)
& Mechanical of: an Headquarters Company,
Company, which provides the
Engineer and similarly configured as 1 Regiment;
Quick Reaction Force for high Combat Engineer the AFM Band (which starred at
risk operations on Malta and as plus Ammunition this year’s Edinburgh Tattoo); a
part of the nation’s EU military & Explosives Communications & Informations
commitments plus acts as an Squadrons - the Systems Company; a Revenue
latter includes Security Company, responsible
infantry training unit; and Air
for cash transit on the islands and
Defence & Fire Support Company, an EOD, IED and
VVIP close protection; a Catering
which is equipped for light anti- Divers Platoon Company, providing both kitchen
aircraft defence, mortar and heavy which in the main meals and rations; and the AFM
machinegun roles. uses British-style Training School.
techniques, tactics
3rd Regiment AFM consists of: a
and procedures Malta’s land forces traditions
Headquarters, similarly configured
originate in the Royal Malta Artillery,
as 1 Regiment; an Engineer
Squadron; an Ammunition &
Images © hence the ranks of Gunner and
Explosives Company, which includes Bob Morrison : Bombardier plus the cap badge and
an EOD Platoon; and an Electrical Military Scene stable belt etc. For more see Kit &
Camo on Page 46.

The fuel for your stove runs
In addition to providing
out, your matches and lighter
are lost. Could you still make
warmth and a cooking
and light a fire? Imagine you source, smoky fires
are cold and tired from hours can help keep away
of walking in the rain. Do you troublesome disease-
know how to quickly get a carrying insects
fire going despite everything
being wet? It’s time to learn
about fire and its numerous
benefits.

1 2
BENEFITS 3 4
A fire can be used to:
• Boil dirty water and making it safe
to drink
• Cook food that cannot be eaten raw
• Make a method of signalling for
help
• Dry you and your wet clothes
• Keep you warm
• Scare off wild animals
• Keep away insects, as most dislike
smoke
• Raise morale
A FIRE KIT
Plan ahead, and if having to make
a fire is a possibility put together a
small Fire Kit consisting of:-
9 Some waterproof survival
matches
9 A steel and flint sparker
9 A hexamine block or a piece of
fire-lighter
9 Some ‘magic’ birthday candles
that re-light if blown out
wind and surround it with rocks or 1: Carry a sparker
logs; this will help to contain it and - a flint & steel
9 Cotton wool (it ignites with a spark stop the fire spreading uncontrollably.
alone) combination set - to
Next gather all the types of wood
light fires
These items will make fire-lighting required. You need plenty of tinder,
that much easier, especially if in a the stuff you will initially be trying to 2: A magnifying
survival situation and fatigued with light: birch bark, dry grass, wood glass or binocular
limited resources. Leave out lighters shavings and any cotton wool you lens can be used laid out and ready should you attempt to
as they dry out/run out of fuel too have. You want a big bowl-sized to light a fire by ignite the tinder. There is nothing worse
inconveniently. Zip fire-lighters are
a great aid to fire lighting if you are
amount. Then collect kindling, this is harnessing sunshine than running out of wood as the fire starts
the pencil-thick to thumb-thick stuff to burn down. Save matches by lighting
short of time and energy. Put the lot in that the tinder ignites. Gather up as the ‘magic’ birthday candle to get the
a waterproof bag or box and keep in 3: In your kit carry
much as you can find and ensure it tinder and kindling going. Remember to
a trouser pocket or on your belt – not is dry.
‘magic’ birthday gently blow and fan the base of the fire to
in the bottom of a bergen or kit bag, candles that oxygenate it and to keep it hot and alive.
from which you could be all too easily Splitting everything long-ways will automatically re-
separated. make it easier to burn and expose the ignite if blown out METHODS OF LIGHTING
drier inside. Lastly, gather the larger Practise lighting a fire with just one
PREPARATION material, arm-thick and bigger. This is 4: Split wet wood to match. Get in close before striking and
Building a fire that stays burning what the kindling will be trying to burn get it to burn as the have masses of dry tinder ready to burn.
and is easy to light takes a little
preparation. Firstly, find a suitable
and is what you will need to cook inside will usually Try the same again, but this time with just
site. If the ground is boggy and wet,

over. Collect a fair supply and keep be drier a steel and flint sparker. Practise until it is
the fire topped up so it burns steadily easy. In a real survival situation, light the
lay out some sticks like a mat and for as long as you want. ‘magic’ birthday candle first.
initially build your fire on top and off
the wet ground. Keep it out of the Only once you have all the materials You can also ignite tinder with a

Silver birch bark
makes excellent
tinder - pare it
gently off the tree
magnifying glass (perhaps the lens

5 6
from a pair of binoculars). Again,
experiment and practise. If you have
a nine-volt battery or larger, connect
it up and brush the wires together
to get a spark. If you have a piece
of wire wool, lay it across the two
points. It will glow hot enough to
ignite your tinder.
Various chemicals will produce

heat and burn if mixed, but you are
unlikely to have access to them
in a survival situation. Flares and
firearms often produce enough of a
flame to ignite tinder.
5: Collect all the various methods described, and what
Rubbing sticks together in various wood you need is likely to succeed in your particular
ways can work, and we have all circumstance. Practise.
before trying to
seen Ray Mears do it with relative
ease. However, it takes considerable
light your fire FUEL
practise, the right wood and the Strips of silver birch bark burns easily,
right technique. You will burn a 6: Make up a small even if wet, and makes excellent
great many calories in the process. fire kit - a tobacco tinder to get the fire going. Collect
For these reasons they have been tin is ideal - to any you see during the day, in
omitted here as practical methods make life easier readiness for a fire later on. Same
of fire lighting for someone in a if things go pear- applies to dry grass; stuff handfuls in
Survival situation. shaped your pockets for later.
Get to know the limitations of Although you will primarily be burning

wood (preferably dead and dry, Different woods burn at different rates.
not live and green), you can also Main Image: Fires
For example, oak will burn slower and
consider animal droppings in have many uses, so hotter than pine. However, in a survival
tree-less environments. Flattened get good at lighting situation, don’t waste valuable calories
and dried camel dung, or the dung one - both with and searching for a particular wood – burn
of any herbivore, will be largely without matches whatever is close to hand.
undigested vegetation and will burn
well. Left: A battery of 9 Similarly, different shaped fires burn at
Wet wood can be made useful by volts or more can be different rates. Pyramid-shaped fires
splitting it open and revealing the used to light a fire burn quickly but are unsuitable for
drier insides. Cut thicker branches through generating cooking. Flatter fires with branches and
into pieces and put on your fire: it sparks logs laid level across the fire burn slower
should soon burn hot enough to but are ideal for cooking.
dry the outer parts. Dry out very wet Images © or via Try before you die.
wood by placing it around the edge Jason Polley
of the fire, slowly moving it in and See you next time when we will discuss
turning it over as it dries. shelter-making.

In May and June 2014 the
armoured infantry fighting vehicles of the
US-led multinational Exercise
Batalionului 300 Infanterie MecanizataÛ
COMBINED RESOLVE II was
‘Sfântul Andrei’ have not yet met any
conducted at the Joint
resistance.
Multinational Readiness Centre
(JMRC) of the US Army Europe
Using all available cover the well
(USAREUR) at the Hohenfels
camouflaged vehicles, which have a
Training Area in Germany.
rather low silhouette, move through
Among the 4,314 troops from
the trees. Their aim is to conduct an
15 countries participating in
outflanking manoeuvre. Suddenly, the
the exercise was a 300-strong
first of the AIFVs comes under fire but
armoured battlegroup from
the Romanians react quickly, the vehicles
Romania; a nation which has
dashing for cover while the crewmen Pusca, Û Automata Û Model 1986 assault
now been a full member of
engage the position from where the fire The TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ rifles, to reach their objectives and start
NATO for ten years.
originated. Split seconds after the vehicles main battle tank to clear them. After a couple of minutes
features a 100mm
T
stop, Romanian armoured infantrymen of fierce fighting the defenders have
he sounds of small arms and can-
dismount and fan out. A308 rifled tank gun, been beaten.
non fire echo through the wooded a coaxial 7.62mm PK
area. Somewhere to the left, US and
Soon the dismounts close in on the machinegun and a Keeping up the momentum of the
Lithuanian troops have engaged
enemy positions using well-timed fire 12.7mm DShK heavy attack is now crucial. The AIFVs rush
elements of the attacking Romanian machinegun for
and manoeuvre tactics. It does not take forward, stopping only briefly to allow
forces. On the right flank a platoon of anti-aircraft and close
long for the Romanian troops armed the dismounts to get aboard ,and then
Romanian MLI-84M ‘Jderul’ (Marten) protection purposes
with, among other weapons, 5.45x39mm continue to advance at high speed.

Elements of the Romanian
armoured battlegroup The TAB-79AR is an amphibious 4x4 armoured vehicle that weighs 9,200kg - in addition to mortar the
advance to contact during armament of the vehicle includes a 7.62mm Cugir Mitraliera Model 66 general purpose machinegun
COMBINED RESOLVE II - the
well camouflaged vehicle in
front is a MLI-84M ‘Jderul’
armoured infantry fighting
vehicle
Badge of Batalionul 284 The Romanian mechanised infantry company deployed ten of the MLI-84M ‘Jderul’ AIFVs during
Tancuri ‘Cuza Voda’
Û Exercise COMBINED RESOLVE II - it is 7,320mm long, 3,300mm wide and 2,942mm high
During Exercise COMBINED RESOLVE II the Romanian battle

group provided the Opposing Forces (OPFOR) group, together
with US forces of the 1st Battalion of the 4th Infantry Regiment
(the ‘Men In Black’ covered last month) to give the multinational
Blue Forces a hard time.
BRIGADA 282 MECANIZATÚ

‘UNIREA PRINCIPATELOR’
The bulk of the Romanian forces participating on Exercise
COMBINED RESOLVE II belonged to the Brigada 282
MecanizataÛ ‘Unirea Principatelor’, one of the best trained
brigades of the Romanian Army. Based in the south-east of
Romania, in and around Focsani,
, the brigade was originally
formed during the Cold War. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain
and the disbandment of the Warsaw Pact in 1991, elements of
the brigade have served with the NATO-led KFOR in Kosovo, in
Iraq under the US led Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and with the
NATO-led ISAF in Afghanistan.
Today the brigade belongs to the Divizia 2 Infanterie ‘Getica’

(second infantry division) and consists of the following units:- The Romanian tank company was provided by Batalionul 284 Tancuri ‘Cuza Voda’Û tank battalion - the
• Batalionul 280 Infanterie MecanizataÛ ‘Capitan
Û Valter only tank battalion within the Romanian Army equipped with the TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ MBT
ÛÛ
Maracineanu’ based in Galati, - a mechanised infantry battalion

equipped with MLI-84M ‘Jderul’ $ERYH7KH¶-GHUXO·LV Û ‘Sfântul Andrei’,
Infanterie Mecanizata
armoured infantry fighting vehicles. ILWWHGZLWKDQ2:65 which supplied the battlegroup HQ, the
VWDELOLVHGRYHUKHDG Headquarters and Support Company
• Batalionul 284 Tancuri ‘Cuza Voda’ Û
and the Mechanised Infantry Company.
based in Galati - a tank battalion and ZHDSRQVWDWLRQIHDWXULQJ
The Tank Company was provided by the
the only unit in the Romanian Army DPP.%$%$$
Û
Batalionul 284 Tancuri ‘Cuza Voda’.
equipped with TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ 2HUOLNRQDXWRPDWLF
(Bison) main battle tanks. FDQQRQDFRD[LDO Among other assets the Headquarters
• Batalionului 300 Infanterie PDFKLQHJXQDQGDQ and Support Company included a
Mecanizata Û ‘Sfântul Andrei’ based in DQWLWDQNJXLGHGPLVVLOH
Galati – a mechanised infantry battalion Reconnaissance Platoon, a Joint
equipped with MLI-84M ‘Jderul’
ODXQFKHU Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Team,
armoured infantry fighting vehicles. a Signal Platoon, a Medical Platoon and
• Batalionului 285 Artilerie ‘Vlaicu 5LJKW7KHVWDQGDUG a Maintenance Platoon. The Medical
Û based in BrailaÛ – an artillery
Voda’ FRPEDWXQLIRUPRIWKH Platoon employed MLI-84M Vehicul de
battalion equipped with 152 mm M85 5RPDQLDQWURRSVLVWKH Evacuare Medicala Û ambulances and the
towed howitzers. 0SDWWHUQDYHUVLRQ Maintenance Platoon an MLI-84M Tractor
RIWKH%ULWLVK'30FDPR Pentru Evacuare Tehnica Û recovery and
Û
• Batalionul 3 Aparare Û
Antiaeriana
‘Potaissa’ based in Turda – an anti- VROGLHULVDUPHGZLWKD repair vehicle.
aircraft artillery battalion equipped with PP3XVFD$XWRPDWD
Û Û
The tank company was structured into
German-made Gepard self-propelled 0RGHODVVDXOWULIOH a Company HQ equipped with one
anti-aircraft guns.
• Batalionul 469 Sprijin Logistic ‘Putna’ TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ MBT and three Tank
1H[WSDJH7KLV'$& Platoons, each equipped with three TR-
based in Focüani – a logistic battalion WUXFNILWWHGZLWKZRUNVKRS
equipped with a wide range of transport 85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ MBTs. The Mechanised
VKHOWHUERG\EHORQJVWR Infantry Company consisted of a Weapons used by the armoured infantry
vehicles and logistic equipment.
WKHPDLQWHQDQFHSODWRRQ Company HQ, three Mechanised Infantry included the 5.45x39mm Pusca Û
Û Automata
BATTLEGROUP STRUCTURE RIWKH+HDGTXDUWHUVDQG Platoons, each equipped with three MLI- Model 1986 assault rifle, the 5.45x39mm
Commanded by Colonel Adrian 6XSSRUW&RPSDQ\RIWKH 84M ‘Jderul’ armoured infantry fighting Û Model 1993 light machinegun
Mitraliera
Popescu, the 300-strong Romanian %DWDOLRQXOXL,QIDQWHULH vehicles, a Mortar Platoon equipped (Romanian version of the RPK), the
armoured battlegroup participating in 0HFDQL]DWD¶6IkQWXO
Û with three TAB-79AR mortar carriers with 7.62x51mm Cugir Mitraliera Model 66
Exercise COMBINED RESOLVE was $QGUHL· M-1983 82mm mortars and a Sniper general purpose machinegun (Romanian
mainly provided by the Batalionului 300 Section. version of the PK MG) and the AG-7
shoulder launched anti-tank weapon

1 2
(Romanian version of the RPG-7). equipment were kitted out with MILES This Romanian soldier belongs to the mortar platoon of
II battlefield engagement simulation the mechanised infantry company and fulfils top cover
EXERCISE DETAILS system equipment and the troops were sentry duties on a TAB-79AR mortar carrier
The deployment of the Romanian put through the OPFOR Academy,
armoured battlegroup for Exercise at which they were prepared for their
COMBINED RESOLVE II in Germany role as Opposing Forces during elements of the 1st Battalion of 160th
was conducted by train, via Hungary the exercise. Directly after finishing
2: This Romanian soldier
of the Batalionului 300 Infantry Regiment of the California Army
and Austria, a 1,700km journey. The their OPFOR training the Romanian National Guard.
train with the Romanian soldiers and battlegroup HQ was put in charge of a Infanterie MecanizataÛ
their equipment arrived at Hohenfels on bi-national OPFOR including, in addition ‘Sfântul Andrei’ is
manning the 7.62mm Following a short period of familiarisation
the 9th of May, 2014. to Romanian troops, US forces from the training the Romanian/US OPFOR
1st Battalion of 4th Infantry Regiment, Cugir Mitraliera Model 66
provided enemy forces for the Situational
On arrival at the Hohenfels training an element from the 364th Sapper machinegun off a TAB-
Training Exercises (STX) phase, during
area the Romanian weapons and Engineers of the US Army Reserve and 79AR mortar carrier
which the multinational Blue Forces
under command of 1st Brigade of 1st US
3: A well camouflaged Cavalry Division trained to cooperate in
TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ tank different types of offensive and defensive
moves through wooded missions. With the STX training finished,
terrain on the Hohenfels the Romanian/US OPFOR entered the
training area in Germany force-on-force training phase, under which
- this was the first time it first conducted a number of offensive
Romanian MBTs were actions and after this finished it changed
deployed abroad since to conducting defensive operations.
World War II
At the end of the force-on-force part the
Left: The mortar platoon Romanian armoured battlegroup moved
of the Romanian armoured to the Grafenwöhr training area, some
battle group fielded a 80km north of the Hohenfels training
couple of TAB-79AR area. Here the Romanians participated
mortar carriers - the in a large Combined Arms Live Fire
vehicle is fitted with an Exercise (CALFEX) which saw their TR-85
82mm M-1983 mortar M1 ‘Bizonul’ MBTs and MLI-84M ‘Jderul’

4 The MLI-84M ‘Jderul’ is a Romanian-built variant
of the Russian BMP 1 - its crew consists of driver,
vehicle commander and gunner plus eight fully
equipped infantrymen can be carried in the rear
ROMANIA IN NATO
and Romanian forces of the OPFOR,
5 this was done par excellence. While
4: Badge of Romania became a full member of the North
the biggest issue sometimes was the Batalionului 300 Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on
different languages, on the doctrine side Infanterie MecanizataÛ 29th of March, 2004. In addition to joining
things went rather well. Here it paid off ‘Sfântul Andrei’ NATO, the country also joined the European
both that since the 1990s Romania has Union in 2007. The plan to join NATO was
established by Romanian politicians soon
done a lot to train its forces to NATO 5&6: The MLI-84M after the fall of the Ceausescu Regime in
standards and also that even before the Vehicul de Evacuare
country became a NATO member its 1989 and the disintegration of the Warsaw
forces deployed alongside NATO forces
MedicalaÛ is the Pact in 1991. Already by 1994 the country
on operations. ambulance variant of had joined the NATO Partnership for Peace
the MLI-84M ‘Jderul’ (PfP) programme; the accompanying image
6
- it has a crew of two was taken in Poland by the editor during the
PfP exercise STRONG RESOLVE 2002.
and can transport two
wounded soldiers As for the Romanian Army, from 1996
on stretchers and onwards Romanian engineers served with
four seated lightly the IFOR and SFOR forces in Bosnia and
wounded Herzegovina. Between 2000 and 2011
Romanian troops served with KFOR in
Kosovo. From 2002 onwards Romanian
Left: Romanian
troops saw service with ISAF in Afghanistan.
AIFVs working closely together with US armoured infantry Not with NATO, but under the US-led
Army M1A2 SEP (V2) MBTs and M2A3 dismounts from a MLI- Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Romanian
Bradley AIFVs of the US Army’s European 84M ‘Jderul’ armoured forces deployed to Iraq from 2003 to 2009;
Rotational Force. AH-64D Apache attack infantry fighting initially the Romanian OEF contingent
helicopters provided close air support vehicle - the soldier included a motorised infantry battalion and
while fire support was provided by US
Army M109A6 Paladin self-propelled
in the foreground an MP detachment. Over the years a total of
8,400 Romanian soldiers served in Iraq.
howitzers. is armed with a
5.45x39mm Pusca , Û The Romanian Navy also took part in
GREAT COOPERATION AutomataÛ Model 1986 the NATO-led counter-terrorist Operation
One of the main aims of Exercise assault rifle ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR from 2005 onwards,
COMBINED RESOLVE II was to train the and in 2011 Romanian Navy assets
interoperability of foreign forces and US participated in the NATO-led Operation
forces at all levels. In the case of the US UNIFIED PROTECTOR.

Jordanian Royal Guard
sniper, easily identifiable
by his distinctive camo,
smiles as he finishes his
section knowing he has
returned a good score
for his team - with the
exception of the Chinese
teams, who told us not to
bother, we have pixellated
or obscured all identifiable
operators’ faces on OpSec
grounds

IN EARLY MAY C&S WAS Main Image: At
INVITED TO COVER THE various stages
SIXTH ANNUAL WARRIOR the three Chinese
COMPETITION FOR POLICE teams wore
AND MILITARY SPECIAL different camo
OPERATIONS TEAMS, pattern uniforms
WHICH SOME REFER
- on the left is
TO AS BEING THE SPEC
pixellated Tiger
OPS OLYMPICS. HELD AT
KASOTC, THE REMARKABLE
Stripe and and in
KING ABDULLAH II
the centre Type 05
SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Pixellated Edge but
TRAINING CENTRE IN A the remainder wear
VAST DISUSED QUARRY what we believe is
COMPLEX NORTH OF THE Type 07 Pixellated
JORDANIAN CAPITAL CITY
OF AMMAN, THE EVENT Right: Palestine’s
BROUGHT TOGETHER SPF (Special
ALMOST THREE DOZEN Police Forces) 194
team wore blue-
F
SEVEN-MAN TEAMS OF
or the first three full days of five consecutive stages with teams
SPECIALIST OPERATORS dominant Urban
competitive events, commenc- undertaking the event sequentially in
FROM ACROSS ASIA, DPM - the NSF
ing 1st May, every team had groups of five against the clock and
EUROPE AND NORTH (National Security to compete in three separate each other.
AMERICA WHO LIVED Forces) 77 team events each day, namely: Last Easy
SIDE-BY-SIDE FOR A WEEK wore all-black Day, Carbine Candy and Trail of The evening before each day’s
AND COMPETED AGAINST
Tears; Urban Assault, Commando events the Team Leaders were
EACH OTHER OVER FIVE Selection, and 3-Gun Gauntlet; and brought together for an hour
GRUELLING DAYS UNDER Shock n Awe, Molan Labe and High before dusk for a detailed briefing
A BAKING DESERT SUN Angle Drive By. Day 4 was dedicated but by that stage of the day the
TO BECOME BEST OF THE to the King’s Challenge, which was mainstream media had long
BEST. effectively a relay pentathlon held in gone and even specialist defence

photographers had been required 1 2
to leave KASOTC to allow
the SpecOps competitors to
unwind and prepare in privacy.
As a result we did not know in
advance precisely what each
day’s events held in store for
the teams but at the start of
Day 4 we were even more in
the dark than usual as neither
MissionX, who were running the
event, nor our Jordanian Army
escorts were revealing any detail Pakistan’s NLI
to ensure maximum secrecy Light Commando
was maintained. I cheekily tried Battalion 5th man
coaxing some info out of the with his weapon, and the three Main Image: Russia’s loads his pistol
most senior officer I could find by remaining members of the team Ministry of Internal on Range B
asking some leading questions being led to minibuses which would affairs LYNX team
but to no avail; all he would tell transport them to their individual wore the Russian-
me was that the course took start points around a very long made copy of
in pretty much all of the terrain course. Unlike on the nine previous MultiCam
covered by the vast training events, combat helmets and body
centre and conditions would armour did not need to be worn
and was eye-pro only compulsory
1: A batch of five
be extremely tough due to the contestants prepares
cloudless sky and the nature of if the stage included shooting, but
most competitors wore ballistic to race away from the
the ground. Start line
spectacles with either clear or
The Challenge got underway with smoke-coloured lenses. everyone
wore combat trousers and combat 2: Cased pistol and
a nominated runner being led
boots, but generally military teams ammo, with plate
off to one side, the nominated
sniper being bussed away wore sweat-wicking UBACS (Under targets behind, awaits
Body Armour Combat shirts) and the next competitor

Closely supervised by a MissionX umpire a
5th man attempts to down all targets
3 five different stages around 3: Kazakhstan’s 5th

the training area were on the man fires his last
loose, all non-participants round - the empty
and media were corralled into
case is fishtailing
comparatively small safe area
between the Start/Finish line and
out of the frame
the 50-metre range on perfectly
understandable safety grounds. 4: Those who
This meant we were only able missed targets
to photograph around the Start/ had to sprint
Finish, where there were no 150metres around
loaded weapons, and from cones for every
4 behind pistol shooters on Range miss clocking
B. However this allowed us to up precious
watch three or four batches of penalty time
competitors setting off and to
photograph many of the final Right: Grimacing
team members as they took through the pain
down their targets and then barrier one of the
sprinted to the Finish. Chinese 5th men
sprints to the Finish
On that final pistol range section
the last member of each five Images ©
man, who had just raced under a Bob Morrison :
blazing sun for several kilometres,
police teams wore either combat Military Scene
shirts or performance T-shirts. had to find his colour-coded firing
point and associated batch of
As four of the five stages involved targets, load an empty pistol,
live-firing of sniper rifles, assault drop six saucer-sized targets,
rifles or pistols and as seven then sprint to the Finish. This
batches of five men running through was all done against the clock

One of the Dutch
MARSOF team
camera-phone
films his colleague
crossing the line

5 6
5: Brunei Special
Forces Regiment
5th man gives
it his all in the
sprint for the
Finish Line
6: A colleague
helps the
wringing wet
Palestine
Presidential Guard
5th man away
from the Finish
7: This fatigued
Malaysian Special
Forces competitor
wears Desert
Tiger Camouflage
8: Our closing
shot is of
the Chinese
competitor
who crossed
the line first ...
and promptly
collapsed through
and those who did not properly on my daysack, the shade grounds as were the two US exertion
compose themselves and their temperature was nudging around Marine Corps teams from 22 MEU
breathing after their long run 40C in the quarry bowl ... but these SOC - the King’s Challenge gave
and subsequently failed to drop guys were out in the sun with no us an unparalleled opportunity to
one or more plates had to sprint water! photograph a host of seldom seen
150 metres around a group of camouflage uniforms. This month’s
cones for each target missed, In addition to being given the accompanying photos have been
then return to his firing point and chance to see 35 incredibly fit and picked on that basis. Next month
continue sprinting 300 metres capable Special Ops teams in we will concentrate on the winners.
to the finishing line. According action - one of two Iraqi SF teams
to the thermometer carabinered was withdrawn on operational To be continued ...
7 8

2
Main Image: Inside

the commercial
packaging
It had turned into one of these cellophane outer
nightmare days. The sun is a recognisable
was sinking fast as I locked ‘boil-in-the-bag’
newfangled Fire Dragon gel. Result.
up the office to head home,
shower and change for band
retort pouch similar
night at my local. Old friends
While browsing through the BTBT range to those found in UK
on their stand at OTS in Stoneleigh I Forces’ Operational 3
Big Norm and Clive, who I’ve
realised that the selection of retort pouch
known for twenty years, were
meals available looked the same as those
Ration packs
bringing GOLIATH to town for
found in UK MoD 24 Hour Operational
the first time in ages and I
Ration Packs (ORP) and when I asked 1: Chilli con carne
was determined to be there
their Sales Manager if they were indeed decanted into a bowl
from the first number. But first
I had to eat ... and that was
the same meals she confirmed that they for scoffing - if, like
when I remembered that the
were as Vestey Foods UK is BTBT’s us, you appreciate
fridge at home was bare and
parent company. the chilli & rice in the
I had forgotten to slip out to
Drawing from 120 years of experience in
ORP you’ll enjoy this
the shops before they shut to
the food business family-owned Vestey,
spicy and nourishing
re-stock!
who are sole suppliers of the ORP for the dish
H
aving missed lunch due to an British Armed forces, created BTBT to
unexpected last minute change bring a variety of high quality, nutritional, 2: BTBT also do
to the magazine coming in while ambient, long shelf life food products to Hot Meal Kits with
on the run-up to deadline that the civvy outdoor pursuits market. In their Flameless Ration
evening I could cheerfully have eaten EASY OUTDOOR FOOD range, which can Heater included (left) each retort pouch comes with a Flameless
a scabby donkey, hooves and all, now be found widely on UK High Streets,
but with the chip shop closed and they currently produce four Breakfast,
and boil-in-the-bag Ration Heater Spoon/Fork and and anti-
only the kebab shop open (I don’t do twelve Main Meal and three Dessert puddings which we bacterial wipe; we will hopefully come
back to this range next month.
kebabs these days since going down retort pouches. Their sister HOT MEAL will cover in a future
with serious food poisoning in Lincoln KIT range currently consists of an All Day issue When Vestey’s marketing analysts came
a few years back after eating one Breakfast, eight Mains and three Desserts, up with a target audience for the civvy
on a sober stomach) it looked like I mostly the same dishes as in their EASY 3: While I was in the BTBT range of products I very much
might be ‘Hank Marvin’ tonight. Then OUTDOOR FOOD range, but in addition shower my meal was doubt that they considered a magazine
I recalled that I had picked up some
samples from Vestey’s BEYOND THE 1 heating nicely out editor who forgot to go to the shops
BEATEN TRACK range when visiting

in the back garden and needed to get some scran speedily
on my BCB Crusader down his neck before hitting the ale on
the Outdoor Trades Show (OTS) in band night. They should have done, as
September. The fridge might be bare, Cooker running on that 300g pouch of boil-in-the-bag Chilli
but the cupboard wasn’t. While I was Fire Dragon gel Con Carne With Rice was just what was
in the shower a retort pouch of BTBT needed. It went down a treat. We will
Chilli Con Carne could be bubbling Images © delve a little deeper into these rations
away in the back garden on my BCB Bob Morrison when we have a little more time and
Crusader Cooker, powered by that space. - BM

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On 1st August, as part of
the on-going modernisation
process of the Armed Forces
of Malta (AFM), Headquarters
AFM introduced a new
combat uniform to replace
the outdated M81 Woodland
Camouflage pattern which
had been used up to that
date. According to the
official communiqué, load carrier seen here, matching win- With the exception of
the new combat uniform ter clothing and equipment accesso- the US-style field cap
pattern has been “studied ries will be introduced in due course; worn with a crushed
and designed to cope with at present, just like UK on current
the increasingly diverse
crown, the combat
exercises, older pattern Personal Load
operating environments Carrying Equipment and Bergens (in
uniform worn by AFM
of a modern army and olive green) remain in use but those troops is quite British
is specifically designed too will be replaced over time. in appearance. There
for dry climates such is a major drive on to
as those present on the
The supplier of the new combat
attract more female
Maltese islands”. The basic
uniform garments is British company
soldiers into AFM.
camouflage pattern for
Survival Aids UK Ltd., a wing of The female gunner
the new combat uniform is
Cadet Direct which supplies in bulk on this page wears
genuine MultiCam designed
to European, African and Middle East the black AFM beret
by Crye Precision of
governments and their armed forces. with the cap badge
Brooklyn. derived from that
The jacket, which is of two-pocket
of the Royal Malta
T
shirt design, is worn tucked inside the
he accompanying images,
shot exclusively by C&S in late
combat trousers and both garments Artillery. British-style but not the body armour / load carrier
August, show summer uniform
are of a design based closely on the olive green PLCE will vest.
garments worn by personnel of
highly practical UK Forces Soldier soon be replaced
‘95 uniform. The fabric is a ripstop with a body armour In addition to their new uniform,
the Headquarters and the Regiments
50/50 polycotton produced in genuine Maltese military personnel have also
of AFM; Malta’s Maritime Squadron compatible system.
MultiCam pattern from one of the been issued with new tan coloured
personnel are retaining their navy
Crye-approved factories. Survival Bates Delta-9 desert combat boots
blue uniforms. In addition to the com-
Aids have also supplied the field caps
Images © to replace their earlier black leather
bat shirt, combat trousers, helmet
(usually worn with a ‘Ranger crush’ Bob Morrison Bates boots. There are no plans at
cover, field cap and body armour/
to the crown) and the helmet covers, present to adopt brown.

LAST MONTH WE LOOKED
ON AS, ON A WARM BUT
HAZY LEVANTINE MORNING,
A CELL OF WELL-ARMED
TERRORISTS HIJACKED A
COACH TRANSPORTING
A HIGH VALUE VIP AND A
GROUP OF MALE AND FEMALE
STAFF AND ASSISTANTS
ALONG A QUIET ROAD IN A
RELATIVELY REMOTE AREA
THEN HOLED UP WITH THEM
IN A COMPLEX PROTECTED
BY A RING OF INSURGENTS.
NEGOTIATORS TRIED TO
STRIKE UP A DIALOGUE WITH
THE FUNDAMENTALISTS BUT
TALKS BROKE DOWN WHEN
THE FIRST HOSTAGE WAS
BRUTALLY GUNNED DOWN IN
FRONT OF THEM. CONTROL
OF THE DETERIORATING
SITUATION AND RESCUE OF
THE HOSTAGES WAS HANDED
OVER TO JSOC.

J
ordan’s elite Joint Special Opera-
tions Command is widely consid-
ered to be amongst the very best
in its class worldwide, being both
well-funded, superbly equipped, highly
trained and incredibly motivated. Many,
though by no means all, of its personnel
are volunteers drawn from the Bedouin
tribes of The Levant, who are both
fiercely loyal to the ruler of the Hashemite
Kingdom and have centuries of warrior
blood coursing through their veins. C&S
has watched and photographed JSOC
teams in action, at demos at SOFEX, at
the KASOTC training centre and out in
the desert, over the last decade and we
always come away thankful that these
guys are on our side.
Back to the demo. Once the decision

had been made to go in and rescue
the hostages before any more could be
assassinated by the terrorists, whose
demands were to wild to even be
contemplated, the airborne assets of

Images © Bob Morrison : Military Scene
support.
JSOC’s 5th Prince Hashim Bin Abdulah

On the ground conventionally equipped
II Aviation Brigade swung into action.
troops aboard GMV-SF (Ground Mobility
As seen at the end of last month’s
Vehicle – Special Forces) variants of
article, from out of nowhere an AC-235
the Hum-vee secured their own outer
airborne light gunship swooped out of
perimeter around the building complex
the grey skies and took out the ring of
as overhead UH-60L Black Hawk
machinegun-armed trucks (technicals)
transport helicopters with MD500F
protecting the objective in sudden
Defender helos providing cover swept
flashes of awesome firepower and then
in low and fast to flare at the very last
armed MD500F Defender helicopters
moment above the two target buildings
arrived on the scene to provide close
[1] & [3] in which the hostages were

being held. Ropes dropped from the [2]. As the heliborne teams went into the
doors of the Black Hawks and black- buildings from the roofs the Stirling teams
clad assaulters fast-roped onto the went through first floor windows and the
rooftops. Chevy teams went through the ground
floor doors [4]. Meanwhile, overhead the
At the same time two Jankel Stirling helicopters [5] provided command and
armoured vehicles with roof platforms control and top cover as more men from
and ladders, an assault team clinging the elite CT-71 (Counter-Terrorist Battalion
71) fanned out throughout the complex arms fire and a cacophony of shouts and
atop each, accompanied by a pair of screams as CT-71 cleared from room to room
high powered Chevrolet SUVs with more [6].
inside the building, then suddenly one of the
assaulters hanging onto roof bars and For the next few minutes all we could hear MD500F Defender helicopters [7] flew almost
running boards, raced in at ground level was the sound of stun grenades, small straight down my lens!

A sergeant from
CT-71 photographed
at the close of an
amazing demo
In a flurry of movement, a team of

operators hustled the rescued VIP
[8] out of Building 1 and bundled
him into the MD500F [9] which had
landed inside a protective ring of
Men In Black [11] and as he was
being flown out female Spec Ops
troopers from CT-71 led away two
captured female terrorists [10].
Female members of JSOC’s own
Military Police formation swung
into action to deal with the female
hostages (although the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan is an Arab
country, both Muslim and Christian
military personnel serve side by side
in the same units) and to process
them to ensure no terrorists were
hiding amongst them [12] & [13]
whilst medics from the Civil Defence
Directorate handled casualties [14].
Next month we will look at some of

the interesting vehicles used in the
demo [15].
The packing area in
early afternoon - a
dozen pairs of hands
can be working here
in the hour before
the courier pick-up is
scheduled
2
THERE IS NOTHING
MORE ANNOYING THAN
CONTACTING A SUPPLIER
(OR VISITING STORES FOR
THAT MATTER) FOR AN
URGENTLY REQUIRED ITEM
OF KIT WHICH YOU ARE
UNDER THE IMPRESSION
IS HELD IN STOCK ONLY
TO FIND THAT THE RACKS
ARE ACTUALLY BARE AND
A
IT WILL TAKE ADDITIONAL ll too often these days the 1: Boxes of MultiCam
TIME FOR THE GOODS TO supplier’s answer is: “We can rank slides - they also
BE DELIVERED. THESE get it out to you in a couple supply DPM, Desert and
DAYS WHEN I CONTACT A of days.” This is, of course, Olive variations plus stocks of kit.
SUPPLIER FOR AN ITEM code for: “Once you place the Regimental, RAF, RN
LISTED IN THEIR CATALOGUE order with us we will ring around and Cadet versions Cadet Direct have also just
OR SHOWING AS BEING stockists for the best price to either delivered the new uniform for Armed
AVAILABLE THROUGH THEIR get it from them and add our cut 2: Just one of the many Forces Malta so when flying out to
WEBSITE I ASK THEM THE then send it out when it arrives aisles of kit-filled Valletta from Gatwick (via good ol’
DIRECT QUESTION: “DO here, or we will get them to send it racking and shelving SqueezyJet) to cover the introduction
YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR direct to you in plain packaging so of the new combat uniforms for C&S,
WAREHOUSE AND CAN YOU you think it is coming from us.” For- Images © it seemed like a good idea to pop into
DESPATCH IT TONIGHT?” tunately, Cadet Direct and Survival their Sussex operations centre, which
Bob Morrison :
THEN I WAIT WITH BAITED Aids UK are one of those suppli- is only about twenty miles from the
Military Scene
BREATH. ers who actually do keep decent airport, to check out their operation. I

A table of individual
client orders
awaiting packing
3 4
was welcomed with open arms by figures, save to say that annual
the team, most of whom have TA/ turnover of the kit ordered through
Regular &/or Cadet Force service, the company’s two websites is
and given a tour of the 28,000 over £3million, at any one time 3: Packed orders in Europe, Africa and the Middle/
sq. ft. warehouse and two-storey around £0.5million of stock is on awaiting the courier and Far East have latched onto the
office complex from where orders the shelves, and they have 15 staff more being bagged Survival Aids UK Ltd side of the
are accepted, processed and across all departments. group and to their ability to supply
despatched.
4: The reception both DPM (which is still popular
I have to admit that I presumed the area - Cadet Direct and with several armies) and MultiCam
It is only when one wanders up company was primarily focussed kit, not to mention everything else
and down the floor to ceiling Survival Aids can dress
on the UK market, but a look at the soldier from head to compatible, ranging from boots
racking and looks into the trays the destinations for some of the to rank slides to bush hats and
and bins that the scale of the toe - uniform on these
orders awaiting despatch was a helmet covers. It’s an impressive
operation hits home. I am not mannequins is the style
bit of an eye-opener. Obviously range and an impressive
going to bore you with facts and military kit and clothing purchasers
recently supplied to AFM operation.

In February 2012 former British – it’s not all about big name TV presenters
Army gunner Paul Conroy slipped broadcasting in helmet and body armour
clandestinely into the rebel-held from a hotel rooftop well outside the range
Baba Amr suburb of the Syrian of the bombs and guns – and it would
city of Homs along with Sunday be nice to think that maybe this memoir
Times journalist Marie Colvin might make it to the top of the Best Sellers
to document the plight of the listings as it is a story which needs to be
population under bombardment told.
from Government forces. This
was not the first time the pair had Marie Colvin died alongside French
worked together in combat zones, photographer Remi Ochlik on February
but unfortunately it would be their 22nd 2012 as Syrian Government forces
last. bombed the makeshift Media Centre
in Baba Amr. The Syrian Government
This book basically documents the last trips claimed, following an autopsy on Marie’s
that Paul and Marie made into Syria, but it body, that she was killed by an Improvised
also relates back to previous assignments Explosive Device laid by rebel forces. Paul
the pair undertook to try to explain what Conroy was seriously injured at the same
they did, why they did it and what drove time but was subsequently smuggled out
them to take the ultimate gamble. I must to safety by the rebels and lived to give
admit that I found this one a bit hard to this eyewitness account of what actually
read, not through any fault of the author or happened. In my opinion, seven years
his writing but because I was constantly service with the Royal Artillery qualifies him
reminded of my sadly missed colleague and to tell the difference between an artillery
friend of 25 years, Yves Debay, who was bombardment and an IED strike.
also assassinated in Syria less than eleven
months later. First published in hardback by Quercus
last year, this 320-page memoir is now out
The author has done a superb job of telling in paperback and widely available. Cover
this story, which although it is as much his price is £9.99. Please read it, if only so
as Marie’s he has resisted the temptation to you know what those like Marie and Paul
make it all about himself. Few of the general (and Remi and Yves) endure to bring out
public probably have much of an idea what the stories that need to be heard and the
sacrifices serious war correspondents make images that need to be seen.
In the US Army there are twelve different

Sequel to The New marksmanship badges categorised in eight
Recruit, this novel different levels authorised for wear on the
sees young Liam dress uniform as per regulations, however
Scott of 2 RIFLES most troops are only familiar with the
last level and lowest badges; Marksman,
volunteering
Sharpshooter and Expert. Every US soldier
to return to
who completes routine qualification during
Afghanistan on
recruit training is entitled to wear one from
a second tour to
that point on and through his career and
make up numbers
the badge itself can be picked up in any PX
in a section from 4
(NAAFI equivalent) without questions being
RIFLES (successor asked about the purchaser’s entitlement
to McNab’s old to wear it.
battalion 2 RGJ). way which even a non-expert
His task this time is Indeed the Expert badge is so common that one of shooter like myself (my eye injury
to work alongside the author’s fellow military shooting trainers poses the and eyesight problems are not
and help mentor question: “What do you call a Senior NCO wearing only conducive to accurate shooting) can
an Afghan National a Marksman or Sharpshooter badge?” The answer is: comprehend.
Army unit working “Honest!”
out of a patrol base Having over many years seen the
south of Sangin. This 146-page paperback from Paladin Press, written vast amount of ammo that some
An easy read, this one effectively bridges between McNab’s by a US Army shooting instructor with both competitive grunts can expend on live-fire
novels aimed at youngsters and his Nick Stone series about a shooting wins and operational experience, is aimed exercises without hitting anything
former SAS sergeant, but that does not mean that hardened squarely at the US military shooter but any soldier much smaller than the proverbial
readers of his work should pass it over as it provides an looking to improve their skills should find it of interest. barn door, I can see this book being
interesting insight into the changing world of the British soldier The author’s aim throughout is to triple the reader’s of great value to anyone taking
in Helmand. Publisher is Doubleday and the largish format skill levels above the comparatively basic Expert level. the time to read it and then put its
paperback has a cover price of £9.99. He does so in a logical and easily understandable suggestions into practise.

1
In conversation with a recently
retired colonel friend, who
I have known since before
he was a sprog lieutenant, I
was bemoaning the fact that
the Directorate of Defence
Communications (I wonder
just how much was spent
in changing stationery from
Media to Defence) appears
to be doing its best to keep
interested specialist journalists
and photographers at arms’
length from the British Army.
His response was: “What do
you expect? They know that
specialist defence media
commentators have the ability to
peer through the fog of Whitehall
bureaucracy and will spot when
the emperor in the field is not
wearing any clothes.”
I reckon the Colonel, who has ARMY RESERVES ‘TOP HEAVY’ discovered that employers cannot afford to see
spent more time with the British WITH OFFICERS them go off to serve with the Army for possibly
T
Army in 21st Century combat he Army Reserves have almost twice the as long as a year when pre-operations training is
zones than even our Senior number of ‘allocated officers’ under the Future included. In the past six months Ministers have
Correspondent Carl, and who Army 2020 structure, while almost every unit in approved plans to pay a special ‘sign up’ bonus
started his military career as a the Army Reserve is undermanned. Official figures of £10,000 to Regular soldiers who leave the Army
foot soldier in Northern Ireland’s released by the Ministry of Defence show that and go straight into the Reserves, but even this
‘bandit country’, has probably hit the Reserves have 110 officers as opposed to an has stalled.
the nail on the head ... or punched allocation of 68. The Reserve officers list includes
the inner ring out of a Figure 12 those in the rank of Colonel, Brigadier and Major Now TA recruiting teams at Headquarters are
target. However I argued with General, what the Army terms ‘staff officers’, who under pressure from Armed Forces Minister
the Colonel that it was not just in the main are found in the rear headquarters Mark Francois who believes that finding 30,000
the likes of C&S commentators and rarely get involved in the action. for the TA/Reserves should not be a problem.
who could see that the British But the attractions of joining the TA are now
Army of today is nothing like the In contrast, the figures also reveal that the Royal less appealing than 20 years ago. Today travel -
formation that it was when our Army Veterinary Corps has just 3% of its required remember the old ‘Join the Army, See the World’
paths first crossed at the height manning level of 342 Reserves. The Army Air adverts - is comparatively cheap and these days
of the Cold War; he agreed and Corps, which is seeking new Reserve soldiers many young people value their free time more,
suggested that I let him comment to fuel the Apache helicopters, has just 120 having a much wider social scene or more after
on how the mainstream media, personnel when it needs 572. Other short-staffed work pursuits than previous generations.
drawing on official sources, is areas of the Army include the Intelligence Corps,
reflecting the true state of the which has just 600 staff of a required 1,403, and PAC SLAMS FUTURE
British Army with final drawdown the Medical Corps, which also has 600 and needs ARMY 2020 PLAN
from Afghanistan just weeks 1,122. Across the Reserves, the Army Legal The planning and implementation of the UK
away and with the Russian Bear Corps has managed to recruit ten of the required Ministry of Defence Army 2020 plan for the British
baring its teeth and claws on twelve positions and the Infantry has managed to Army has been heavily criticised by the House of
NATO’s border. reach just 4,750 of a target requirement of 5,993. Commons Public Accounts Committee.
These revelations come after two major recruiting
campaigns to get young men and women to join 2
Penned by the Colonel himself,
the Reserves and an initiative within the NHS to
what follows is essentially a
encourage nurses to sign up.
recent round-up of ‘what the
papers say’ about an institution
As the Ministry of Defence now demands that
that both he and C&S would
TA/Reserve soldiers be ready to work alongside
dearly like to see returned to the
the Regulars and be prepared to deploy on
state it was in prior to the 1998
operations for up to six months every five years,
Strategic Defence Review or,
many ‘professionals’ in the TA formations
better still, the 1990 Options For
cannot commit to this without fear of losing their
Change restructuring. - BM
civilian job; even those in the public sector have

The official report states: The plan forms a central part of Army attempts 2020 programme, the number of armoured
“The Ministry of Defence (the Department) to build up better expertise and links with the regiments was reduced to three, with the
determined the future size of the Army based world’s hotspots in case troops should need Yeomanry Reserves providing additional
on the need to make financial savings while to deploy on operations. Senior commanders manpower.
maintaining enough military capability to deliver believe many of the errors of the Iraq and
required defence outputs. However, it did not Afghanistan campaigns were made because According to one former TA officer
adequately consult the Army on its plan to reduce officers had little understanding or appreciation (and former Editor of C&S) who was
the regular Army by around 20,000 and increase of the local cultures. commenting in a national newspaper,
the Army Reserve, or fully assess the feasibility instead of one of the three regiments
of that plan. The Army needs to increase the French and Arabic are priority languages being at readiness with 56 tanks, just 36
trained strength of the Army Reserve to 30,000 because they will allow officers to operate in are available. In the 1990s the UK had
by 2019, but its strength has remained at around North Africa and the Middle East, but other more than 380 Challenger 2 tanks, which
19,000 for the last two years. The Army tells us languages will also be taught. According to a supported the British Army on the Rhine
that there will be an increased risk of capability national newspaper, one senior officer stated: and deployed on Gulf War One, then again
gaps emerging in parts of the Army structure until “Many of our forebears would have been in the invasion of southern Iraq in 2003. But
it reaches the 30,000 reserve target. embarrassed to see how little knowledge we the last time they were in action was in 2008,
arrived with in Iraq and Afghanistan. In our great when a small number spearheaded an
“The Army has some mitigating actions it grandfathers’ time, when they served in those offensive against the Shi’ite militia in the Iraqi
can take if recruitment performance does not regions, they spoke the languages and knew city of Basrah.
improve, but it has not worked these into a fully the people.”
developed contingency plan with clearly defined Government ministers have seemingly
trigger points. The Army’s recruitment contract British units are also being paired with some of dismissed the tank as ‘yesterday’s weapon’
with Capita was not established on the basis the world’s troublespots through links with other while the Army have struggled to secure
of a clear understanding of the scale of the militaries. Units will be encouraged to go on revenue to train its crews on ‘tank on tank’
recruitment challenge and at least £70 million exercises and help train friendly militaries in the warfare. On 2nd August 2014 The Royal
of the planned £267 million savings from the region as well as learning the languages. Tank Regiment, the oldest tank formation in
contract have already been lost.” the world, was amalgamated and downsized
According to an Army spokeswoman: “Bi-lateral to a single battalion-strength formation.
ARMY WEAPONS AND relationships are essential for the Army’s
AMMUNITION LOST future focus on defence engagement. Officers ARMY BRASS ‘DODGE’
The Ministry of Defence has revealed that 18 aiming to be considered for subunit command FITNESS TESTS
firearms and almost 2,000 rounds of ammunition appointments starting in 2018 will need to Finally, British Army generals have been
were lost or stolen last year. A former soldier also demonstrate basic survival level speaking and dodging mandatory fitness tests, official
told one newspaper that Army divers had recently listening skills in a foreign language.” figures reveal. Ironically the men who set the
discovered thousands of live rounds in a pond at tests and are responsible for making sure
a Northumberland firearms training area. Army sources said officers would not be that ‘other ranks’ face disciplinary action if
According to the soldier: “At the end of a range expected to be fluent. The training will begin they fail to pass, have given a ‘metaphorical
session you have two official ways to dispose of from January 2015 for anyone wanting to finger’ to the Physical Training Staff.
ammunition. Either you’ve fired it so it’s spent, become a subunit commander from 2018 and
or it has to be accounted for, signed back in and will be taught at Army education centres. An official report issued by the Ministry of
dealt with as fairly high-security stores. There Defence reveals that none of the Army’s 14
is a third option where you dispose of it some ARMY LEFT WITH Generals or Lieutenant-Generals, the two
unofficial way, either bung it in a pond or sell it to LIMITED CAPABILITY highest ranks, took the required number of
gangsters.” The British Army has only 36 Challenger tanks tests, which demand the completion of a
ready to go into combat, after five years of cuts set amount of press-ups and sit-ups and a
However, criminals are not the only ones to frontline forces. As a result of the Future Army timed run, during the last statistics year.
benefiting from lost military firearms. The number
of British weapons recorded as lost during the 1: Britain’s Reserve Forces are experiencing a major shortfall of medical personnel [© Bob Morrison]
Afghanistan conflict reached double figures, 2: Officers will not be promoted above the rank of Captain unless they have basic foreign language skills [© Bob Morrison]
with a spike of 57 automatic weapons lost and
never recovered in 2010. While no weapons were Below: After five years of cuts the British Army may have only 36 Challenger tanks ready to go into combat [© Guy Channing]
earmarked as lost or stolen during the conflict
in 2006, that year more than 2,100 rounds of
ammunition disappeared.
In December 2007, the Ministry of Defence

revealed the gun used to shoot WPC Rachael
Bown in the stomach in Nottingham in 2006 had
been stolen from the Army. The Browning 9mm
pistol used in the attack had been stolen from a
British military base or smuggled by troops from
Afghanistan or Iraq and sold to thugs by a soldier.
OFFICERS MUST HAVE

SECOND LANGUAGE
Army officers will have to learn a foreign language
for promotion under new plans designed to make
the Army more culturally aware. From 2018,
officers will not be promoted above the rank of
Captain unless they have basic foreign language
skills, according to the Army’s internal magazine.

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Product - UK Contact: Salomon/Salomon
Telephone/Web: 0207 078 3528/salomon.com/uk
The Discovery FZ is close

fitting but free moving so
ideal for active use - warm
enough to take the chill off
To begin with I think

Salomon understate this
a bit saying it is “mid
layer”. For me it goes
much further than this.
T
he micro-fleece used for
the Discovery is really soft
and is great as a next-to-
skin item. So much so my
Lady pinched it to wear at night
on our trip to the Alps. It also
works very well as a chill weath-
er top over a T-shirt or similar. So
this makes the Discovery a really
handy and multifunctional item
of gear to have around (a bit
like my Land Rover version
of the Discovery really),
especially when space and
weight are limited such as
when living out of a pack.
Discovery FZ is, as
Salomon say, ‘active fit’ but is
stretchy to comfortable when
active. It has a full zip so can be
vented as necessary. There is
a chest pocket for a phone but
no others (not as the web site
states). The collar zips up quite
high with the zip being protected
so not uncomfortable like some.
Another good and useful item

from Salomon.
The single chest pocket is just right for a

mobile phone or similar - the collar has a
comfortable zip so the neck is protected as
required.
I have come to know this pack pretty
well over recent months, having used it
as a general rucksack for travels but in
particular I used it as my day pack over
In the snow high on
my two week Tour du Mont Blanc trek. In a
the TMB – spot the
nutshell I like this pack. incoming snow ball
- while trying to be
I
t is well thought out, comfortable and has enough serious for photos
of the right features but is not overwhelmed by a ‘friend’ took this
things you will not use. At 45-litre it has a very well aimed pot shot
useful capacity, but has compression straps on the which was a hit!
sides so can be drawn in if not used to the full. The
main compartment has a side-entry zip, so you can
get an item out from within without having to unload
the lot. I really like this and it is particularly handy in
the rain or snow - as I found out.

Product - UK Contact: Salomon/Salomon Anatom/Anatom
Telephone/Web: 0207 078 3528/salomon.com/uk 08000 323 505/anatomfootwear.co.uk
1 2
On the back is a good size Above: On TMB the Sky

‘document’ pocket with double- 45 was perfect for the
ended zipper. The top cover also
task - it is seen here
has a substantial zipped pocket,
with kip mat in the side
with a smaller one on the inside straps, if you need them, as are 3
with key hook. Each side of the
pocket which it takes two very good sized mesh pockets.
waistbelt has a useful size-zipped
comfortably Easily large enough to carry a
pocket, just right for munchies. drinks bottle or a wet jacket or both.
A really good feature is the 1: The Airvent I used this feature to carry a small
‘external’ pocket for your hydration Contact System is kip mat. The outer straps allow for
system. This slides into its own very comfortable and a variety of external items to be
compartment outside the main the external to pack carried such as kip mats and tents.
sack and behind the back panel. hydration set-up is well Fabrics are tough and doubled on
A hanger strap is provided and thought out the base to withstand heavy usage.
there is no need to poke the tube The Sky 45 does not have a rain
from inside to outside, just feed it 2: My Sky 45 day pack cover, but I have to say that I carried
onto whichever side shoulder strap at rest on TMB it through many wet days and never
you prefer; good one. Talking back had any issues - although I did use
panel, this looks a bit knobbly and 3: The Sky 45 has some dry bags inside, just in case.
uncomfortable but it is definitely not good features - here
so. Known as the Airvent Contact you see the back If you are looking for this size of
System, it has its roots in adventure pocket, side access pack, the Sky 45 is well worth
racing and works well. zip, mesh side pockets, checking out. Although mine is
compression and ski ‘non-tac’ red, it also comes in
On each side of the pack are ski straps among others black.
4 5
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR

A ‘GENERAL PURPOSE’
BOOT THAT IS LIGHT AND
VERY COMFORTABLE
THE V2 IS WELL WORTH
CONSIDERATION. THESE
ARE NOT GNARLY MOUNTAIN
BOOTS, HENCE DECIDING
T
NOT TAKING THEM ON MY
RECENT TMB TREK AS THEY hey are grippy, with Anatom’s own Hill-Grip 1 sole, soft 4: I found the Anatom V2 to be a
WOULD WITHOUT DOUBT and easy to wear but supportive. The fit of these boots comfortable everyday walking boot
HAVE GOT WELL BATTERED works well for me with my large feet, being quite wide
NOT HAVING MUCH IN with ample room in the toe box, so going downhill is not 5: The 2 boots have their own Anatom sole
a toe-crushing experience. The lacing system makes them
THE WAY OF PROTECTION. unit which affords a good level of grip in
HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN easy to get on and off and adjust as required. The V2 has a
waterproof breathable membrane that seems to work well.
most conditions
USING THEM FOR COAST
WALKS AND GENERAL USE
AND REALLY LIKE THEM. All in all a nice boot and worth a look. Images © or via Mike Gormley

Product - UK Contact: Keela/Keela / Ilasco UST Water Tight/Whitby and Co
Telephone/Web: 01592 777 000/ilasco.co.uk 01539 721 032/whitbyandco.co.uk
In frontline military life much of When operating on foot

the time is spent in contact with clothing must be able to
the ground so durability and effect move with you but remain
iveperformance are essential as is effective and not hinder
good camouflage what you are doing
I HAVE OFTEN SAID IF YOU
Driving open-topped vehicles and 7
WANT TO STAY DRY, WEAR
operating weapons can mean long
KEELA. THEIR SYSTEM
periods exposed to all weathers
DUAL PROTECTION (SDP)
while also needing to be active and
WORKS. IN THIS CASE IT comfortable
IS USED ON THEIR NEW
AND UPDATED SPECIAL
FORCES JACKET AND
TROUSERS.
U
pdated in spec and brought
up to date using MultiCam,
SDP retains its core benefit
and that is to keep the wear-
er protected and dry both from
the outside elements and from the 6
wearer’s own self-produced mois-
ture (okay then – sweat). My first
real use of this system was years
ago on a particularly miserable
outing on Dartmoor when it rained
relentlessly all day. I was wearing
a Munro Jacket and a Keela T
base. We crossed the moor that
day and I was the only one to be
Keeping things dry, safe and
bone dry at the end.
protected is a day to day
event for most of us that don’t
My son Bruce proffed that jacket
wear suits. This small case is
and still uses it, and in fact it can
aimed at protecting the likes
be seen on the Keela website
of a smart phone, wallet and
on the Outwear icon. It’s worth compass pocket with security D-ring, 6: Keela SF clothing is other valuables - or perhaps
checking out the website for the etc. The Special Forces trousers are designed to give the freedom matches and loo roll, which
full info regarding the SDP. It is not equally high spec. of movement so necessary are equally important to keep
just me that recognises that this in an active role but to also dry in the wide outdoors. Lots
system works as it is used by SF, In a nutshell these items of kit are built retain a good shape and
of uses for this one. It is also
Mountain Rescue and Police, to to perform and stand the pace in a convenience, especially if
a good item for those on or in
name a few. rough tough world. Keela is a brand the wearer is vehicle-based
boats, as it will float, has good
The Special Forces Jacket has all that is not readily found in the more Model : Nigel and supplied means of tying
the expected fixtures and fittings common High Street stores so you My thanks to: Supacat on, and is in a colour that will
and some, such as four buttoned will have a search a bit, but I am sure show up if all goes wrong.
front pockets, water-resistant you will find it worth it. Alternatively, 7: The UST Water Tight case
zip and storm flap, map pocket, Keela’s new ilasco.co.uk website is aimed and sized for the This will probably end up in
phone pocket, pit zips, adjustable should be up and running by the time likes of a smart phone but my canoe kit bag ……..
cuffs, foldaway wired hood, you read this. has many uses

Security Industry
(OPTIMALRISK.COM) IS A FORMER BRITISH ARMY ATO AND IEDD/

The 15,000 strong force planning to send 1,600 troops for them. To avoid detection they
WIS OPERATOR TURNED EOD THREAT AND COUNTER-IED TRAINER

calling itself the Islamic (including 475 SF Operators) to go under disguise as aid workers
State (IS) has become a create National Guard units of Sunni providing support to the victims of
concern to the West, with tribesmen to fight the Sunni fighters conflict. Even women have gone
ROBERT SHAW OF OPTIMAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD.

its successful campaign to of the IS. This will be supported by a to be Jihadi brides and members
take territory in Iraq and range of airpower, including drones of a religious police force in the IS
Syria. There have been and strike aircraft, but airpower can controlled areas.
IMAGE © BOB MORRISON : MILITARY SCENE

numbers of European and only destroy the insurgents’ vehicles
other radicalised citizens and manpower as it is seen by Fortunately, some Western
travelling to Syria to fight drones and forward air controllers on intelligence services (such as the
and create an Islamic the ground. Since insurgencies have Germans) have been effective at
state. In recent weeks IS a habit of blending into, or using, the identifying those leaving to fight
has massacred thousands local population to hide amongst this therefore enabling security of their
of Iraqi and Syrian soldiers will dilute the effects of any combat country in the future when/if the
and civilians and publicly power provided by air, therefore IS fighters try to return. But this is
AND CONSULTANT.
beheaded several US and has to be defeated on the ground only one success story as other
a UK citizen. They are now as well. Yet the numbers of troops intelligence services (such as the
considered a serious threat are neither enough (or politically UK) have no idea who has left the
to the security of the Middle allowed) to engage in ground country and therefore has allowed
East and Europe and this combat so it really does come down returning fighters to re-enter and
was discussed at the recent to a race of time to see whether IS possibly pose a risk to the UK.
NATO summit. So what is the can take Baghdad before the West
plan and some of the issues? can create the Sunni units required Although there has been a recent
that are capable. The question lowering of morale amongst some
T
he IS isn’t as effective as it is how effective will they IS fighters, who expressed a desire
seems. Although it has taken be? to return to the UK (wanting to avoid
territory from the Iraqi Army and imprisonment for being terrorists)
captured stocks of armoured The IS has and to engage in a de-radicalisation
vehicles, weapons, ammunition and also been programme. However, it must be
also oil infrastructure allowing fund- successful remembered how unsuccessful
ing, this doesn’t make it effective. in Syria as these types of programmes
It beat the Iraqi Army because they it has fought have been in Afghanistan and
were nowhere near as capable as both Assad’s Saudi Arabia and since IS has
Western political leaders told their forces and imprisoned those who want
public they were when they an- the Free Syrian to return as a deterrent to
nounced that the insurgents had Army (FSA), which has the other fighters this will not
been beaten and a capable Iraqi enjoyed bankrolling, affect their capability greatly.
force had been left as troops were weapons and training from
pulled out in 2007. The US spent the West (the CIA has trained The strategy to defeat IS
$25 Billion on training the Iraqi forces 4000 FSA fighters) and other isn’t actually a new one. The
over an eight year period and left a Middle East supporters. The regional Islamist countries such
200,000-strong force that reflected fundamentalist group has as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey
the ethnic and religious diversity of shown that it is better equipped, have already been providing military
the country, but all of the effort and better funded and very adept at bases, weapons and equipment
lives lost have been undermined by marketing. This has attracted to the FSA; this effort will simply
the Iraqi government who simply significant numbers of Western be increased. What is new is the
developed a Shia-dominated militia. citizens (some of which are provision of air strikes against IS
converts) to travel to Turkey, in Syria and Iraq,
The latest US-led coalition is slip across the border and fight which have the
potential to
THE ISLAMIC
break the force
as long as not
used in isolation
but along with a
ground capability.
STATE
This will take
years, hence the talk of it being a
generational war.
The solution has to have buy-in
What Now? and serious commitment from

the very Middle Eastern countries
that have inadvertently created
the IS by having a religious
- By Robert Shaw ideology (Wahhabi/Salafi) that has
mutated into something even more
puritanical.

Model: Jitka
Images ©
Bob Morrison
T
shades such as Ranger Green, he DA Foxtrot Waist Bag is
Olive Green and Coyote Tan they what some would call an
also produce many of their styles Every Day Carry bag which
in Polish Woodland, CamoGrom can be both shoulder-slung
(which is compatible with and strapped around the waist to
MultiCam and MTP), and PenCott spread the load if heavy objects are
camouflage patterns. However being carried. The shoulder strap,
as they also supply bags in plain which can either be worn diagonally
black which are suitable for blue meaning the bag is slung over the
light emergency services and low rear left hip or be shortened and
DIRECT ACTION is the brand profile travellers, this is the colour worn over the left shoulder to bring
name of a range of quality we requested for this month’s the bag more to the front for more
rucksacks, bags and accessories review samples. Next month we regular access, is detachable by
from Polish company Helikon- will look at a different model in way of a couple of sturdy quick
Tex. In addition to plain military PenCott camo. release clips.

Jitka is wearing the Foxtrot in my
preferred style, more to the front,
which allows me speedy access to
camera, spare lens and flashgun
carried in the well-padded main
compartment. I find the secondary
front compartment, which has
organiser pouches and pockets on
the back face, is capacious enough
to hold more camera accessories and
notebook etc. plus documents can be
carried in a zipped pocket on the front
face. There is also a small lens-sized
pocket with internal mesh pocket and
key clip on the leading edge of the
bag, an open-topped pouch pocket
with retaining strap on the trailing
edge, and a zipped mesh pocket
under the main compartment lid.
The waistbelt, which has zipped

pockets in both wings, can be tucked
away in the back face padding tunnel
if you wish to carry the bag just by
the top grab handles. Fabric is hard-
wearing genuine Cordura and there
are laser cut PALS (Pouch Attachment
Ladder System) slots on the outer
faces.

Model: Jitka
Images ©
Bob Morrison
THE DIRECT ACTION GHOST
A
IS A THREE-DAY BACKPACK s with the Foxtrot, the Ghost is avail-
WITH HYDRATION BLADDER able in both the plain Ranger / Olive
COMPARTMENTS. LIKE THE / Coyote colourways plus PenCott,
DA FOXTROT, REVIEWED ON CamoGrom and Polish Woodland
THE PREVIOUS PAGES, IT camo patterns, but we again opted for the
IS MANUFACTURED FROM more low profile plain black colour. This
TOUGH WATER-RESISTANT backpack has a good padded waistbelt
500D CORDURA FABRIC AND as standard, but if wearing body armour
IT ALSO HAS LASER-CUT and/or belt order (or the DA Foxtrot
PALS SLOTS ON THE OUTSIDE Waist Bag) such a belt can be more of a
FACE AND BOTH SIDES. IN hindrance than a help if it is permanently
ADDITION TO A USEFUL 28 LITRE attached to the pack, but the designers
CAPACITY, THIS RUCKSACK have taken this into consideration and
HAS A SECONDARY 3.5 LITRE made the waistbelt easily removable if
DETACHABLE PACK WHICH CAN necessary yet sturdy and immovable if
BE EITHER SIMPLY CLIPPED needed. It is perfectly feasible to wear
TO THE MAIN SACK FOR both Foxtrot and Ghost together, though
SPEEDY REMOVAL, USING THE it will be more comfortable if the Foxtrot’s strap has a quick release clip to allow the
COMPRESSION STRAPS, OR shoulder padding is detached. wearer to speedily dump it if necessary,
MORE PERMANENTLY ATTACHED and there is an elasticated sternum strap to
BY PALS STRAPS. THERE IS The back panel and the low profile hold the shoulder straps together. As for the
A SECONDARY SHOCK CORD shoulder straps of the Ghost are well mesh padded removable waistbelt, it has
EACH SIDE TO ALLOW HELMET padded and there is a deep ventilation (removable) strap and buckle fittings each
TRANSPORTATION IF SO channel running the length of the bag over side for pack sit adjustment, three buckles
DESIRED. the spine. The bottom of each shoulder on the bottom edge for drop straps, and a

Duraflex Lock Monster buckle at the front for
quick and easy release. The belt also has
laser-cut PALS slots in the front outer faces
to allow MOLLE-type pouches to be fitted if
required.
Behind the stiffened padded back panel is

a large zipped compartment for a bladder,
complete with hanging strap arrangement; I
frequently use this one to carry my full-sized
laptop as it allows very easy access. On
the rear face of the main compartment is a
second, open topped, bladder pouch and
above this is a hanging strap plus a port for
the drinking tube. On the front inner face
of the main compartment is a half depth
zipped mesh pocket and on the outer face
there is a zipped two-thirds depth document
pocket. The detachable pack has inner
mesh pockets and organiser panel plus
outer zipped document pocket, there is an
EyePro pouch at the top of the main pack
and on each side of the pack there are two
bottle pouches. Other features are probably
best covered by the pictures rather than
words.


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Editor: Bob Morrison

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P60 Opinion THE COLONEL COMMENTS P09 P56

P63 Outdoor Gear

P68 Security ISLAMIC STATE

P05 : Comms November 14 Cover Image:

Combat & Survival 03

Over the third weekend in September some

Finally, as can be seen from the

Combat & Survival 05

Combat & Survival 09

Today the Kampfschwimmer have the OLDEST GERMAN

10 Combat & Survival

Combat & Survival 11

to be neutralised in case of a conflict. their Dräger LAR

12 Combat & Survival

14 Combat & Survival

element, three operational elements

Combat & Survival 15

16 Combat & Survival

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Part of the British

Combat & Survival 19

20 Combat & Survival

Combat & Survival 21

6 & 7: These two 9

22 Combat & Survival

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site. If the ground is boggy and wet,

26 Combat & Survival

magnifying glass (perhaps the lens

Various chemicals will produce

Get to know the limitations of Although you will primarily be burning

Combat & Survival 27

28 Combat & Survival

30 Combat & Survival

During Exercise COMBINED RESOLVE II the Romanian battle

BRIGADA 282 MECANIZATÚ

Today the brigade belongs to the Divizia 2 Infanterie ‘Getica’

Combat & Survival 31

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Combat & Survival 33

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Combat & Survival 37

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Combat & Survival 39

3 five different stages around 3: Kazakhstan’s 5th

40 Combat & Survival

Combat & Survival 41

42 Combat & Survival

Main Image: Inside

BEATEN TRACK range when visiting

44 Combat & Survival

The course is designed to teach and equip

* Also available for ‘Master Class Seminars’.

For more info check out http://www.staminaforlife.co.uk/

48 Combat & Survival

50 Combat & Survival

Back to the demo. Once the decision

Combat & Survival 51

JSOC’s 5th Prince Hashim Bin Abdulah

52 Combat & Survival