BATTALION
Battalion played an integral role. The
Infantry platoon as a reconnaissance
capability, were pushed forward into
enemy occupied locations to deliver
critical intelligence to their unit.
The Engineer Troop were employed
mainly within a Force Protection role
which included the protection of
Forward Operation Bases. Meanwhile
the Mobility Troop were utilised
throughout in a re-supply role,
including the new experience of ‘air-
resupply’ through underslung loads.
FIGHTING SNAKES
Support Battalion trains with US allies
at Fort Polk, Louisiana
This year the Battalion deployed
stateside to take part in Exercise
‘Rattlesnake’, training alongside the
US 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment
(Rakkasans).
This opportunity would be unlike
anything the Battalion has
undertaken, and a vital step in
developing NATO interoperability and
readiness.
The exercise gave the opportunity for
all to undertake high-level and high-
quality training. The opportunity to
go to America enthused all, and the
training gave a sense of purpose and
focus.
And the experience has created better
prepared, better trained soldiers who
are now more equipped in their role to
support Headquarters ARRC.
Captain Hollie Suff
Exercise Rattlesnake is held in
Fort Polk, Louisiana at the Joint
Readiness Training Centre (JRTC). It
is notorious for being a challenging
area with a mixture of environments
including swamps and dense jungle-
like forests. The combined factors of
tough ground, difficult environmental
surroundings and a capable enemy set
the conditions for a challenging but
rewarding experience.
TEAM AMERICA
The rotation was sixteen days long
and broken down into two phases; the
offensive phase where the Brigade
manoeuvred from west to east in an
attempt to capture territory, followed
by a defensive phase where the
Brigade tried to hold and defend the
ground they had occupied.
All images courtesy of Soldier magazine
Throughout the phases the Support
Battalion
round-up
It has been a busy period for the
ARRC Support Battalion with
numerous exercises, adventurous
training, sport and leadership
development activities.
Officers and Warrant Officers visited
the Houses of Parliament as part of
the Battalion’s ongoing leadership
and development training.
In sport, the shooting team enjoyed a
successful outing at Bisley this year,
finishing 7th overall and 3rd in the
Royal Logistic Corps.
Twelve members of the Battalion’s
surfing team have deployed on an
intense week of training in Portugal.
And the annual Battalion essay
competition was won with a fantastic
entry by Lance Corporal Spence.
WO1 (RSM) Wayne Hall
12
AUTUMN 2019 the imjin
Two teams from the Support Battalion
have represented the U.K. at a NATO
military skills competition in Germany.
Back to
Mönchengladbach
The annual ‘International
Mönchengladbach Military’ (IMM)
contest took place around Rheydt
Castle, close to the ARRC’s former
home in Rhiendahlen.
The Support Battalion won two
individual stages – the basic fitness
test and the forced march.
ARRC Support Battalion
The Support Battalion of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) is a high
readiness, expeditionary, all arms unit that provides close support to
Headquarters ARRC. The Battalion is a multi-capbadge unit consisting of
infanty, Royal Engineers, Pioneers, and logisticians, combined with the full
range of supporting arms.
The primary role of the Battalion is to deliver force projection, protection
and sustainment to deployed elements of HQ ARRC. In peacetime, the
Battalion delivers force preparation for all elements of the HQ and wider
ARRC Group, and for all NATO participating nations.
@ARRCSpBn
ARRC Support Battalion