tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post3419768131062719453..comments2024-02-29T11:45:01.870+01:00Comments on UK Armed Forces Commentary: Air Assault Task Force in ARMY 2020 Gabrielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-54236566692379775452021-09-08T21:18:50.554+02:002021-09-08T21:18:50.554+02:00I don't know if they have done that.I don't know if they have done that. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-10597685554014101852021-09-08T19:59:38.241+02:002021-09-08T19:59:38.241+02:00Is the A400 capable of supporting FARP Operations ...Is the A400 capable of supporting FARP Operations yet?JRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06874443312105714314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-11486832596936532282021-09-08T19:59:35.762+02:002021-09-08T19:59:35.762+02:00Is the A400 capable of supporting FARP Operations ...Is the A400 capable of supporting FARP Operations yet?JRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06874443312105714314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-50581132940481125982021-09-08T19:59:33.501+02:002021-09-08T19:59:33.501+02:00Is the A400 capable of supporting FARP Operations ...Is the A400 capable of supporting FARP Operations yet?JRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06874443312105714314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-37717561084812303612015-01-04T20:10:28.483+01:002015-01-04T20:10:28.483+01:00This is quite interesting.
http://forces.tv/61688...This is quite interesting.<br /><br />http://forces.tv/61688269<br /><br />Possible integration with the GRF?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-75576537101492496282014-10-23T20:25:21.468+02:002014-10-23T20:25:21.468+02:00Very very sorry about that, it slipped under my ey...Very very sorry about that, it slipped under my eyes for all this time. Scan Eagle is obviously a mistake, i meant Desert Hawk III. Corrected now. This is where a collaborator or two would come most handy... some pesky errors are just hard to pick up. You read them, but the mind thinks of the right thing automatically, and so it goes unnoticed... Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-33749832401279128622014-10-23T20:16:10.016+02:002014-10-23T20:16:10.016+02:00Gaby
I knew that the Navy was now using Scan Eagl...Gaby<br /><br />I knew that the Navy was now using Scan Eagle. I had no idea that the Army was equipped with some of these UAVs. Have they had them long? MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-74832072376605461562014-10-21T13:06:26.166+02:002014-10-21T13:06:26.166+02:00There is a relatively simple way that 16 AA could ...There is a relatively simple way that 16 AA could be brought up to a full strength deployable brigade for no additional money, but it would require stepping on lots of taboos.... - <br />1. As Gabriele notes, move a fully staffed third light infantry batallion into the order of battle, together with all of the supporting artilley and logistics which have just been deleted...<br />2. That would be paid for on an ongoing basis by dropping both the parachute capabilities of both No II Squadron and the 2nd and 3rd batallions of the Parachute Regiment (together with the pay bonuses as well)<br />3. Deleting one of the adaptable force infantry batallions<br /><br />Britain would retain a parachute capability, but it would remain at the level it belongs - ie company level and below with 1 Para and the SAS. Maintaining the pretence of rotating a full batallion of paratroopers is both costly, has only a very limited set of useful scenarios and couldn't actually be sustained by the 22 A400Ms and 8 C-17s we are planning for....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-25943519111931035252014-10-21T08:33:05.081+02:002014-10-21T08:33:05.081+02:00I would be more than happy with that outcome, That...I would be more than happy with that outcome, That said I wonder if the RAF regiment could release No. II Squadron to the Air Assault Task Force, It is supposedly capable of inserting by parachute and securing forward airfields, although this capability has never been put to use in combat operations, I think at this point even a reinforced company would help spread the readiness burden, Not that it will happen with the inter service rivalry and allAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628348295655328655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-91245954649842100412014-10-20T23:30:20.230+02:002014-10-20T23:30:20.230+02:00It would take a lot of money to build up another b...It would take a lot of money to build up another battalion of paras. What could be reasonably done with a bit of an effort is adding a third battalion, only air mobile, no parachute, to <br />- spread the readiness burden <br />- have more troops <br />- have a brigade which can also deploy whole (this if the third battalion comes with a third artillery battery and all other supports needed for a "full" brigade. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-23260734976026656112014-10-20T23:04:45.877+02:002014-10-20T23:04:45.877+02:00I for one would really like to see another regular...I for one would really like to see another regular parachute battalion formed, To take some pressure off the current operating tempo for one and I really think that two regular and one reserve battalion is not enough to cope in a time of crisis especially if we ever need to do a forced entry in a future conflict, Though I don't think it will ever happen under the current manpower and budget restraints. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628348295655328655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-64684334393982590592014-10-20T16:57:35.580+02:002014-10-20T16:57:35.580+02:00The whole concept comes with a lot of ifs and buts...The whole concept comes with a lot of ifs and buts. It's clearly a set-up that compromises between high-readiness elements and the leftover rump, between heavy and light. It's obviously something that has been imposed on the Army as a result of losing 20% of it's regular manpower and having to make significant cost savings. I agree as well that the preservation of cap-badges has really distorted what Army 2020 should and could achieve. <br /><br />However problems with the details (of which their are many) doesn't in my opinion mean the Army 2020 plan was inherently flawed. <br /><br />The idea of 3 heavy brigades as a reaction force, coupled with the light elements provided by 16 air assault and 3 commando, backed up by 2-3 light brigades that can be put together from the adaptable force with sufficient notice seems reasonable under the circumstances. <br /><br />As you say the real problem with the reality will be a case of a lack of supporting elements to work with this surplus of infantry battalions, restricting the utility of the adaptable force and creating an imbalance within the Army as a whole.<br /><br />The way the adaptable force is going to be a messy lumping together of all of the elements leftover and not required by the reaction forces suggests that what could have been a good idea on paper isn't going to pan out particularly well in reality.<br /><br />An adaptable force of 2-3 light brigades to provide battalions for Cyprus, Brunei etc but retain the ability to slot whole formations into an enduring operational cycle WITH full supporting elements would have been better, with the leftovers being kept in a separate set-up of regular/reserve regional brigades that was previously the case.<br /><br />Challengernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-81920960591177781792014-10-20T15:55:07.076+02:002014-10-20T15:55:07.076+02:00It is obvious that cuts are at the root of the who...It is obvious that cuts are at the root of the whole thing. The AATF has a new shape determined by the cuts but is not "new". It used to be around before, but pretty much had to vanish since 16 Air Assault got bogged down, like all other brigades including 3rd Commando, in the constant rotation of manpower to Iraq and Afghanistan in the past decade. <br /><br />It is no mistery that i do not think Army 2020 delivers the kind of output that it could and should, because preservation of capbadges was given an upper hand on preservation of capability. <br /><br />The Army 2020 concept in itself is nothing new, again. It is a desperate attempt to preserve a shadow of the capability that the army used to have and plan for: 3 "heavy" brigades and 3 "lighter" brigades. Once we would have said armoured brigades and mechanized/light brigades. Now the seconds have been replaced by the Adaptable brigades of which there can only be a couple made to be genuinely deployable, because there are more infantry battalions than CS and CSS supporting elements. In my opinion, Army 2020 is an unbalanced army in this sense. <br /><br />Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-47664095036140509712014-10-20T14:38:35.529+02:002014-10-20T14:38:35.529+02:00A lot of Army 2020's aspirations depend on the...A lot of Army 2020's aspirations depend on the successful restructuring and use of the adaptable brigades and expansion of the new 'Army Reserve.<br /><br />IF the adaptable brigades are able to slot into an enduring commitment (providing the 4th, 5th and possibly 6th rotations after the 3 reaction brigades, thus keeping 16 air assault and 3 commando focused on their primary roles) and IF the Army Reserve can grow to meet the new demands placed on it then i think the current plans will work out. <br /><br />I'm sure everyone can wrangle over certain details but overall the mix of reaction (split between heavy and light) and adaptable actually serves the Army quite well under the constraints it currently faces.<br /><br />That's if they pull it off of course!Challengernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-12725856330840138522014-10-20T14:19:17.529+02:002014-10-20T14:19:17.529+02:00Gabriele,
Again a really interesting post. If I ...Gabriele,<br /><br />Again a really interesting post. If I am understanding the new structure of the "Brigade", it would appear the following has happened - <br />1. 16 Air Assault is no longer a deployable Brigade, in the sense that the entirety of the brigade could be deployed simultaneously and be supported in an operational capable manner for a period of time<br />2. This is being sold as a doctrinal change (revision?) to the UK only needing to undertake batallion-group sized airmobile operations<br />3. Furthermore, given the "brigade shell" only contains 2 batallion groups, I would suggest that the rotation of even 1 batallion group will not be sustainable, given that the rest of the armed forces operate on the minimum rule of three for any of its capabilities<br /><br />All of the above would suggest that the new structure of 16 AA "brigade" is not due to a change of doctrine and hence to enable the ready deployment of AA batallion groups (if it was it would still retain 3 light infantry batallions) but simply another direct result of the desire to make cuts and savings but to not be willing to sacrifice cap badges (in particular infantry batallion cap badges).<br /><br />I must admit to a certain amount of shock (obviously I have been slow to realise this), but if I look at the UK armed forces 2020 order of battle, we are currently planning for only 4 fully deployable brigades (3 armoured infantry and 1 marine), together with the shell of a fifth air assault brigade. I am discounting any of the adaptable brigades as being deployable since it is simply not clear how much canibilisation would be required to put even one of them into the field.<br />4 deployable brigades from a force of 3 marine commandos and approx 32 army infantry batallions (forgive me I forget the exact figure) - that is nothing short of ludicrous - the Army's leadership should hang their collective heads in shame (and yes I know there was political pressure, but it works both ways).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-41156241407426853542014-10-20T13:27:31.275+02:002014-10-20T13:27:31.275+02:00It seems the base is R2, 5 days notice to move. Po...It seems the base is R2, 5 days notice to move. Possibly the parachute company is held at higher readiness still, but since there are only two battalions, and each is at readiness for a whole year, i think there are limits to what is feasible. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-51000900758367338452014-10-20T13:08:13.529+02:002014-10-20T13:08:13.529+02:00Gabriele,
Another interesting post. Thanks.
I woul...Gabriele,<br />Another interesting post. Thanks.<br />I would like to know what state of readiness these 2 units are at?<br />In my day when we did spear head battalion, a company group was at 2 hours notice to move, with the rest of the battalion at 48, I think.<br />Each company would take turns at the 24 hours notice group. I think this went on for about a month.(Seemed longer)<br />As there are only 6 company groups in this 'high readiness brigade', I would be interested to know what that really means.<br />Regards<br />Phil<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-13345298323494275412014-10-20T12:51:51.202+02:002014-10-20T12:51:51.202+02:00Interesting post.
Add a third maneuver battalion ...Interesting post.<br /><br />Add a third maneuver battalion (preferably 1 Para) and let them keep a cavalry regiment and i'd say it wouldn't be a bad little set-up! Challengernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-56684416299379644792014-10-20T11:58:37.292+02:002014-10-20T11:58:37.292+02:00Can you provide more links especially the logistic...Can you provide more links especially the logistics units.Amanda Luhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00282397184287209526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-41656237345583076012014-10-19T22:55:20.660+02:002014-10-19T22:55:20.660+02:00I don't have a date for that display of FARP o...I don't have a date for that display of FARP ops. Surely it is not very old, but yes, the Springer in the meanwhile should have left service, and wouldn't be in the picture today. Maybe the Supacat ATMP would be in the shot instead: some were withdrawn, but i think not all of them. They might make a return, especially now that Supacat has rolled out the improved MK IV variant. <br /><br />The Defender is not a part of 16 Air Assault brigade, but it has been used in support during training events, many times. And since it had service periods on the front, including in Afghanistan, it is absolutely possible that it has and that it will support 16 Air Assault when needed. <br /><br />Husky and Panther sound a bit off for 16 Air Assault as the focus fully returns to air manoeuvre ops, but they are not that far away in size and weight from the Jackal, so i won't rule it out. Jackals and Pinzgauers and various trucks and the ever present quad bikes and land rovers are all surely part of the mix. Husky and Panther might also have a part somewhere. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-58654147577060166822014-10-19T22:43:08.286+02:002014-10-19T22:43:08.286+02:00Gaby
Good, well-informed, detailed article.
Just...Gaby<br /><br />Good, well-informed, detailed article.<br /><br />Just a couple of questions:<br /><br />The first photo shows an Apache FARP operations simulation. Is it quite an old photograph, because unless I'm much mistaken, that is a Springer in the shot? Surely they are not still in service.<br /><br />I did not know about the Defender being used in 16 AA Bde. Is that a recent introduction or has it been the case for many years? Very fine aircraft, useable in several different roles.<br /><br />I remember looking at an AAC (Reserve/TA) website a year or so ago and it was mentioned that vehicles such as the Husky and Panther were being used in 16 AA Brigade, I think). I just wondered whether you had heard anything about vehicle types such as these being employed. <br /><br /> <br /><br />MikeWnoreply@blogger.com