In a recent press release, the Royal Navy announced that engineers from 1710 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) tested their skills in the field at Bramley training area in Hampshire.
This unique squadron, which operates without aircraft, plays a crucial role in the safety and effectiveness of the UK’s military helicopter fleet.
According to the press release, 1710 NAS includes a repair department that handles repairs beyond the capabilities of typical flight/unit/squadron air engineers.
The squadron, located in Portsmouth Naval Base, also provides aviation forensic support through expert scientists and engineers who assist both military and civilian authorities in the event of serious incidents or accidents.
The exercise, known as Exercise Black Cat, aimed to test the team’s ability to collect liquids such as greases, oils, or paints in a realistic aircraft accident environment. The press release mentioned that the exercise was designed to hone their skills for providing deployable scientific support and involved working on an old battlefield Lynx in challenging conditions.
Lieutenant Jenna Clark was quoted in the press release saying, “Exercise Black Cat was a great opportunity to test both our people and equipment. Using the skills we learned, we were able to prove our repair capability within a forward and potentially hostile environment.”
The team also tested new equipment, including a portable solar array and battery pack for running a makeshift office and a new generator with a greater output than standard military equipment. The successful implementation of this new kit is expected to become a mainstay in future operations. The press release highlighted the need for 4×4 vehicles, with hired pickup trucks thoroughly tested during the event.
Petty Officer Sean Johnston added, “Exercise Black Cat was an outstanding experience, showcasing the skill of our team. The green elements of the exercise proved our engineering skills and adaptability under challenging conditions.”
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Sorry, but at first I took that group to be civilians.
😁😁😁🤐
Have you been to Bramley mate? The entire area feels like it used to be one giant railway depot.
No mate. Studied it at length from above though using GE.
I know the old ammunition storage site that existed there had it’s own rail network branching off from the Reading Basingstoke line.
I’m interested in it due to the specific area used by C Sqn 21.
Which bit is that?
I believe, unconfirmed for certain, a place called “Sherfield Farm” which I have I’D on GE.
C’s ARC is Campbell Road, specifically Lapriak House, on the northern edge of the TA.
I find the varied aircraft hulks in the TA interesting too, and it being available for filming.
We once deployed a workshop coy of 6 Bn REME on exercise at ex-CAD Bramley, back in the mid-90s. We used urban cam on the wagons, close parking them (dispersed) to the old ammo bunkers.
I believe the TA primarily isn’t used for live fire, but what is termed “dry” training, especially from the CS CSS units and sub units?
Yes – I too am quite sure that live firing is not permitted as it does not have a range.
Our training at Bramley was of course repairing all manner of equipment & recovering dead vehicles in field conditions. I am sure we were periodically attacked by ‘the enemy’ and returned fire with blanks.
Essential features of a REME field location include plenty of hard/firm standing and a track/path/road circuit and ease of defence. Ideally we liked to work inside buildings such as old barns etc but that aspect was not possible at Bramley.
I’ve definitely used both blank and sim on Bramley. Was practicing breàk contact drills there a couple weeks ago.
👍
Good use of such places too. Caerwent, Swynerton, Nescliffe are others that spring to mind that provide good training locations.
Chilmark too, though that isn’t army AFAIK.
Chilmark was a RAF ammunition site – possibly all-underground. I remember driving past it went going down to Devon for holidays in the 80s and 90s – it was still an active site then. Closed now of course. See the Urban Explorer website – they have an underground railway track! You’ll like that.
Indeed. RAF Chilmark. Was also a RSG location with a bunker, and the underground storage bit, like West Dean, another facility just like it on the other side of Salisbury.
Interestingly, though UE have looked around it, the bit of the old RAF Chilmark I had in mind, which is a but further north, is said to be used as a “homeland security” training location for PMC types.
And I’m In total “anorak” mode talking of all these places mate, love it.
Ah, not seen anything in that corner that screens special to me sry.
Yes, I was not suggesting there was anything special there, only who uses the area.
I enjoyed running a few courses at Bramley, small and compact but easy to admin and run. Plus I’m a bit of a spotter and like old and disused military places 😵💫
Wow, an A sighting! Like spotting Sasquatch these days mate.
I’m a bit of a spotter too, but prefer the current stuff!
Yes, decent little training area with some nice varied terrain.
Yes, disappointing and inexplicable to me, wearing various types of mostly civvy-looking dress. It marred the photo-op.
Exercise Black Cat?
Should have held it abroad in Twelveriffe.
TTKK 😀