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| Iraq |
| Eyes and ears of the desert army prepare to go behind enemy lines |
| 2003-03-18 |
| Twelve figures are silhouetted against the sky as the moon casts ambient light and picks them out. Spaced 25 metres apart, they are making their way towards a ridge in what could be their last armoured reconnaissance exercise before they go behind enemy lines. As coalition forces in the Gulf made their last preparations for an imminent war, the men of the Household Cavalry's D squadron spent the night in the desert 40km (25 miles) from the Iraqi border rehearsing drills that they have gone through over and over. For the Household Cavalry - the country's most senior regiment - has one of the most frontline tasks of all the forces in the Gulf. In the coming days it could be operating at night seeking out the enemy in advance of a rapid bombardment by the 16 Air Assault Brigade. The men's mission often brings them to the enemy's rear so that they might report back to headquarters the movements of Iraqi troops or tanks. The squadron of 110 men use the Striker tracked guided weapon system and the Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicle, but their method is reconnaissance by stealth as opposed to what the regiment says is the US's "reconnaissance by force". This method uses thermal imaging cameras and an image intensifier which works by amplifying any ambient light and produces images that look much like a picture on an old black and white television set. Through the sights of these, vehicles can be seen making their way between the camps, and other members of the squadron can be seen shovelling out their observation posts. Last night the squadron was digging out observation posts and spying on the enemy. The men can spend up to five days in foxholes watching their foes, taking it in turns to observe, stand guard and sleep. Captain Edward Hayward, the squadron's second in command, is crouched down, pulling his fingers through the loose desert floor. Stillness and silence are part of the job. He says adjusting to the natural environment - smelling the enemy out, watching for the embers of a cigarette glowing, hearing the mutters - all work together to help pinpoint enemy locations. "You can see how the enemy moves across the ground. You can see delves in the earth, dust plumes from the tracks of vehicles. Your main movement is done early in the morning or late at night when the dew is down. You look and see the ground and understand where they will put their machine guns, where they will put their anti-tank weapons, where their observation posts will be," he says. "It's a feeling of being able to put yourself in a dangerous situation but to have the knowledge and the equipment to be able to extract yourself if need be. That feeling of total control and empathy with your environment is very fulfilling." Captain Julian White, 25, is the leader of the guided weapons troop. He admits it is often a risky task. "It's amazing the survivability we have. You would think we would be dropping off all over the place," he said. "The aim of the reconnaissance squadron is to supply timely and accurate information. It is the eyes and ears of the commander. The men will use their wit and nous to try to get their information." After the exercise the squadron is brought together for a last minute "smoker" with alcohol-free beers, burgers and hotdogs - a delight after weeks of stew every night - and told by their squadron leader, Richard Taylor, that theirs is a very important task. "I would like you to take two important lessons from tonight's training," he says. "Firstly, the very basic drills of field craft are fundamental and will ultimately keep you alive in the hostile environment you are about to face. "Secondly, you must work as a team. Everyone has his own responsibilities. As a team you will win, as an individual you will merely survive." Find them, get them, stay safe. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 Thank God for these brave souls, maybe when they come home we can give them a little vacation / training exercise in Hollywood... |
| Posted by: Wills 2003-03-18 09:44:21 |
| #1 Thank you! Now I know what to get my mom--who has everything--for her birthday! "What's this?" "Household Cavalry, Mom! You know, cavalry for around the home." |
| Posted by: Dar Steckelberg 2003-03-18 08:29:38 |