bobdina
08-03-2009, 07:35 PM
Brunei based 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR) has just completed a Multi-National Exercise in the searing heat and humidity of Brunei in preparation for an upcoming tour of Afghanistan.
Two companies deployed on the exercise, which included US Marines, Bruneian medics and police, fire support teams and Gurkha engineers. This kind of exercise allows the commanders to gain experience of working with and utilising soldiers of different nationalities and expertise before they are required to do so on the front line.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Bourne MBE, who is the Commanding Officer of 1 RGR, explained: "Many people think that Brunei is focussed on primary jungle but in actual fact there are many facilities available on the fringes (of the jungle), so in terms of the environment not only do we have the weather but we also have similar terrain, as we have been working in a dusty quarry for example."
"Added to that, we have been working in a joint environment particularly in the form of helicopters and assets such as the Bruneian Police and medics, and you get an exercise that replicates what we have to deal with in Afghanistan."
The main aim of the exercise from 1 RGR's perspective is to provide company-level training prior to the battalion commencing pre-deployment training in September. The exercise provides the opportunity for the companies to develop a range of counter-insurgency skills including dealing with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), clearing compounds and engaging with the key leaders in their areas of operation.
The exercise draws from the battalion's experiences in Afghanistan during Op Herrick 7 and the lessons learnt from that deployment.
As soon as the exercise had finished, the battalion will be packing up their boxes and preparing to move back to the UK after three years living in Brunei, where they will continue to prepare and train for their deployment to Afghanistan.
Two companies deployed on the exercise, which included US Marines, Bruneian medics and police, fire support teams and Gurkha engineers. This kind of exercise allows the commanders to gain experience of working with and utilising soldiers of different nationalities and expertise before they are required to do so on the front line.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Bourne MBE, who is the Commanding Officer of 1 RGR, explained: "Many people think that Brunei is focussed on primary jungle but in actual fact there are many facilities available on the fringes (of the jungle), so in terms of the environment not only do we have the weather but we also have similar terrain, as we have been working in a dusty quarry for example."
"Added to that, we have been working in a joint environment particularly in the form of helicopters and assets such as the Bruneian Police and medics, and you get an exercise that replicates what we have to deal with in Afghanistan."
The main aim of the exercise from 1 RGR's perspective is to provide company-level training prior to the battalion commencing pre-deployment training in September. The exercise provides the opportunity for the companies to develop a range of counter-insurgency skills including dealing with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), clearing compounds and engaging with the key leaders in their areas of operation.
The exercise draws from the battalion's experiences in Afghanistan during Op Herrick 7 and the lessons learnt from that deployment.
As soon as the exercise had finished, the battalion will be packing up their boxes and preparing to move back to the UK after three years living in Brunei, where they will continue to prepare and train for their deployment to Afghanistan.