towards the border town of Podujevo
– to mirror the journey first taken by
Lieutenant Colonel Webber, then a
freshly-minted troop commander. We
pull up at a shiny factory complex at
Lebane.
A glance at Webber’s well-thumbed
photos and then back across to the
current landscape in front of us, and
it’s quickly apparent that the view
over the rolling countryside remains
relatively unchanged.
The colonel points out to us the
original positions of his AS-90 guns
and we find the very spot where his
snaps had been taken. The war-
scarred factory buildings have since
been replaced by a thriving window
company.
Webber recalls the refugee family at
the camp gates and the destruction
caused by the armed conflict in
Kosovo as he reflects, “It’s really
interesting going back and seeing
it now.
“It all looks relatively calm and
everything is nice and clear. But of
course, all of these roads were just
covered in debris and bits of metal.
We had no idea whether there were
mines and any of that kind of stuff.
“This more than anywhere during my
time was where we saw some of the
atrocities that had happened first
hand. And that’s not something that
disappears very quickly from the
memory.
“I suppose I’m still quite proud of
what we did. It’s great to see such a
thriving community now.”
MIXED EMOTIONS
Sitting in a leafy garden in the capital
Pristina at the end of our visit, Owen
Newman adds: “It’s quite strange to
be back – in different circumstances,
obviously. I was a bit apprehensive
coming this morning, a bit nervous.
“I wanted to come, obviously, but
it’s good to be here now because it
is very different. We’re not carrying
around our weapons, we’re not
sleeping with our weapons. We’re not
wondering about whatever’s going on
in literally the next field.
“And then to meet Valon in a chance
meeting, and the fact that he worked
in the Gurkha kitchens preparing the
food as a seventeen-year-old. He
was kicked out of his village, lined up
to be shot, and he was spared. And
then he escaped to come back.
“You could see his delight. He was
emotional, I got quite emotional. He
wouldn’t let go of my hand. He just
kept shaking my hand.
“And that’s a moment I don’t think I
will ever forget.”
For more on the ARRC’s return
to Kosovo, view the videos at
www.arrc.nato.int
PUTTING NATO
ON THE MAP
All roads led to northern Germany for
NATO’s military map makers – as they
convened in Sennelager for a major
cartographic exercise organised by
the ARRC.
The specialist troops from 16 different
nations came together for the week-
long exercise, to share their technical
expertise in creating bespoke mapping
products.
The training was designed to develop
the planning and analytical skills of
the geospatial personnel, and help
them learn to create digital and
paper maps that are useful to military
commanders.
The troops were supported by a range
of experts to assist with their map
making, including specialists from the
Met Office and the cultural protection
organisation ‘Blue Shield International’.
À LA CARTE
“It’s fantastic being based here in
central Europe as it gives us the
opportunity to draw more people in.
This exercise is truly pan-NATO.
“And I believe we’re very fortunate
that the British Army is retaining
Sennelager as a training facility. It’s
absolutely perfect for what we require
and we’ll be coming back!”
Sergeant Evan Durkin from the US
Army (centre above) concluded: “Map
making is just one of the many things
that go on behind the scenes. It
doesn’t normally end up on the movie
screens, but we’ve all worked very
hard and we’re very pleased with the
outcome.”
Royal Engineer officer Lieutenant
Colonel Simon Finch (pictured above
right) explained: “It’s fascinating really –
what we are doing is presenting a lot of
information that is extremely complex.
And by simplifying what is complicated,
it can allow commanders to make
decisions in a quicker manner.”
Full speed ahead
Captain Rikki Abel really puts the ‘rapid’
into the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
The Gloucester-based race driver is
preparing to compete at the top level
of British Armed Forces racing next
season after qualifying for the elite
‘A-class’ series.
During an
exclusive
unveiling
for the
imjin of the
new livery
on his race
car, Captain
Abel said:
“I’ve been
taking part
in the ‘Armed
Forces Race
Challenge’ –
a race series for the different Services,
competing against each other on
professional race circuits across the
country.
“After a successful season this year I’ve
upgraded to a ‘national A’ licence, which
will enable me to race my new car. After
some final testing, I’m hoping to be
ready for the first race next Easter.”
The souped-up vehicle is a Nissan
200SX S13, loaded with a powerful
Chevrolet corvette 6-litre v8 engine.
When work is complete it should be
capable of speeds up to 160mph.
Abel added: “Luckily the guys in the
Support Battalion have been very
hospitable to allow me to work on the
car in their servicing bay.”
For more details visit
www.armedforcesracechallenge.net
or follow @RikkiAbel on Twitter
the imjin AUTUMN 2019
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