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