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The Irish Guards Battle Group is currently in Belize, taking part in the Army’s biggest jungle training exercise. It involves almost a thousand troops from more than twenty different regiments and units. As strange as it may sound the harsh nature of the jungle in Central America makes it an ideal place to prepare troops for a tour of duty in the equally testing conditions of Iraq.
Exercise Tropical Storm, has been used by company and battalion sized units for decades, but the programme has been adapted to test a full battle group with light armour, helicopters, artillery, infantry and support units. |
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Troops started arriving at the training base (Price Barracks) close to Belize City at the beginning of November. Exercise Tropical Storm is expected to last until the beginning of December. The initial phase will involve the soldiers learning to live, work and fight in the jungle. This will be followed by section, platoon, and company sized exercises which will build up to a major final exercise involving the whole battle group. This final stage will involve beach and helicopter landings, and attacks on defended positions. |
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For many of the solders, like Guardsman Steve Moore (20) from Newtownards, Northern Ireland, this is his first time in the jungle. "Its nothing like I’d expected, as soon as its gets dark the place comes alive with noise, you know the bugs and animals…it’s been a totally awesome experience."
The heat and humidity, along with the dangers of the wildlife did cause some soldiers initial apprehension, like Guardsman Carl Yoxall (22) from Redditch near Birmingham. "When we were first told we were coming to Belize I was a bit concerned about the poisonous spiders and snakes, but you just have to treat the place with respect. It’s been a totally different experience, it’s been great."
The difficult conditions, both in terms of the terrain and climate, help to test the troops to the maximum according to Major Jeremy Bagshaw. As second in command of the Irish Guards he has been closely involved both in the planning of the exercise and now its execution. "Its not where we’re training, it’s the type of training that’s important…it’s all about operating in a difficult and testing environment. Yes, it’s been challenging, but it’s been great to see the soldiers rising to that challenge." |
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The 1st battalion, the Irish Guards are currently based at Aldershot. Soldiers from more than twenty other units and regiments are also taking part in Exercise Tropical Storm. They include: The Household Cavalry, The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), The Royal Corps of Signals, The Royal Logistic Corps, The Queens Royal Lancers, the Army Air Corps (25 flight), The Royal Welsh, The Royal Green Jackets, and many others.
Further specialist training directly related to the work in Iraq will be undertaken early in 2007 at various locations in the UK. The Irish Guards were last in Iraq during Operation Telic One, the initial war fighting stage of the conflict. They led the forces which took the major southern city of Basra during 2003.
After almost five weeks of intensive work the soldiers will have the chance to do some adventure training in Belize, which will include wind-surfing, sailing, and scuba diving. There will also be the opportunity for those who wish, to take a few days leave in Mexico. |
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