Reservists from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment and 7th Battalion, The Rifles have completed two-weeks training with the Michigan National Guard in the USA as part of the annual camp with NATO partners.
The British Army say here that the two-week annual camp is an ideal opportunity to get in some vital training with reservists from other NATO partner countries such as Estonia and Latvia and a good test of the interoperability and cooperation that is the backbone of NATO.
“The training has taken in all aspects of soldiering from field-craft, public order training to planning and executing an attack. The terrain within the training area is tough and varied, from forested areas where the reservists make the base camps – or ‘harbours’ – to purpose-built structures and areas where they can practice attacking a dug-in enemy force; Camp Grayling has it all.
Once away from the main accommodation and administration blocks getting around the training area can be tricky. Four-wheeled vehicles and Black Hawk helicopters proved invaluable resource to multinational reservists training in these fields.”
Brigadier Carl Boswell, Commander of the 20th Armoured Brigade Combat team who was over visiting with the reservists. said:
“This is an opportunity to really come and hone their skills as infantry soldiers, but also being here in America it’s an opportunity to practice working together, both human and procedural, with and alongside our key allies.”
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Camp Grayling has some good training areas, everything from infantry live fire and maneuver ranges to artillery ranges to places to call in air strikes. Lots and lots of rolling wooded terrain. It’s not the first place I would think of for an international training exercise, but it’s definitely useful. The troops probably won’t have much to do off duty though, it’s pretty rural and the nearest towns aren’t exactly New York City…
Most US Bases have incredible recreational facilities. Bowling alleys, swimmimg pools and fast-food outlets are not unheard of – in addition to gyms, clubs, bars.
Loved the states, every time been there wether it was a 6 month exchange visit at Bragg or a two week trip as SPSI to some random training grounds in Wisconsin! To include a few other lovely places with amazing people, both in uniform and out! Training areas are vast and the training available is top notch! But, the drink driving rate at Bragg was so bad that if they went 82 days without a Division drink driving death everyone got a day off!!!!!!
😮 to the last sentence….
Crazy isn’t it!!!!!
Are we certain that a decimal place hasn’t been shifted (perhaps 8.2 days)? 😁 82nd Airborne has a rep as both a hard charging and equally hard partying unit. Actually, drunk driving conviction(s) will affect security clearance.
It used to be in a billboard as you drove down the main road, a big sign counting down the days! It would be on day 55 then next day boom back up to 82! You’d think ah shit another dead squaddie drink driving! But loved my time in the states, loved all my trips and time!!! 👍
👍👍😊
Fort Bragg sounds like a nightmare with the news coming out recently. 105 Soldiers died on base in 2020/21 which is absolutely bonkers, Not surprised about the last sentence.
It’s hard to believe the size of it. You go to Pope AFB for a lob and the amount of aircraft was unbelievable! Great training opportunities though, great times for sure!
Fort Bragg has a population of around 275,000, which would place it in the top 20 cities, population wise in the UK. The deaths aren’t that surprising.
“Loved it.” You’d have been mounting any female with a pulse, you’d have been like a Cumbrian ram at tupping time.
Have no clue what your on about guv…..👍