NIJMEGEN COMPANY - EXERCISE RED STRIPE

NIJMEGEN COMPANY - EXERCISE RED STRIPE

JAMAICA 10th SEPTEMBER 2007

by Grenadiers Reunited

Nijmegen Company have been on exercise in Jamaica. You may recall that the exercise was in danger of being cancelled due to the inability of the RAF to fly them there because of a lack of aircraft; in the event, the exercise went ahead with reduced numbers going because there was insufficient funding for the whole company to fly by commercial airline. I have copied below a report from the Company Commander, Ed Paintin:

"The activation party, eight strong, departed Wellington Barracks on 8th July, finally arriving at 0300 local time in Kingston almost two days later due to Air Jamaica incompetence! They quickly settled down to the routine of planning the live fire ranges and dry training. Once the rest of the Company had arrived and moved into their tents at Titchfield Camp, Port Antonio, the jungle school started. This consisted of the Company learning various aspects of living and fighting in the jungle. A local rasta, named Gilbert Harris but known to everyone as 'The Examiner', gave lessons on
everything from local booby traps, living off the land, slaughter of animals to building bamboo shelters. These lessons were then put in to use by the Guardsmen, with the Company moving into shelters they had built in the jungle, much to the detriment of the local bamboo population.

The Jungle School switched to a more tactical slant with Cpl smith, 2nd Battalion royal Regiment of Fusiliers, fresh from his Jungle Warfare Instructors Course, imparting his knowledge of operating in a jungle environment to the Guardsmen.

After nine days the Company returned to Titchfield Camp for a night before returning to the jungle under their respective Platoon Commanders to undertake Platoon level dry training with members of the Jamaican Defence
Force playing the enemy. Eight Jamaican Defence Force solders were also integrated into the two platoons, who worked well despite initial reservations about the ramboesque figures who turned up at the transport. The Platoon dry training progressed onto Company level, with the Platoons carrying out camp attacks, recces, and standing patrols before the whole Company withdrew down the side of the Rio Grande while being pursued by the enemy forces.

The Exercise then moved on to the live firing package, able planned and put together by Lt Oliver, 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and QMSI Snell, Small Arms School Corps. The Company progressed through individual,
pairs, fire team and section attacks before embarking on the platoon attack range. The Guardsmen, mostly on their first exercise since training, benefited enormously as well as enjoying the experience.

Combats were swapped for swimming trunks as thirty five members of the Company started their PADI Open Water Scuba diving course. This was a great success with everyone passing and many people discovering a brilliant new
sport.

The Company then departed to Ochios Rios for three days of relaxation, however the ominous advance of Hurricane Dean was being closely watched. After the Hurricane stayed on track and did not deviate, contrary to the advice every self professed Jamaican meteorologist was giving us, we were withdrawn to Kingston where the Company was given various tasks, including providing security to the British High Commission and helping man the emergency telephone line. After the Hurricane passed, Nijmegen Company was offered as assistance to the Jamaicans but was turned down. The Company returned over a few days back to London via circuitous routes which included New York.

Exercise Red Stripe was an enjoyable and beneficial exercise in which the younger Guardsmen learnt a great deal."