Combat and Survival September 2014

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Editor: Bob Morrison

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Combat & Survival 03

the prowl again, Uncle Sam (or at least
outgoing president Barack Obama) has
had second thoughts about withdrawing
armoured forces from Europe and
the process has been reversed with
HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s largest an armoured battlegroup returning to
ever warship, is gently floated out of her dock for Germany. Our Senior Correspondent,
the first time in Rosyth [Crown Copyright] Carl Schulze, has been covering this
development over the last few months
and in this issue we are running the
first of several features. To help NATO
partner nations better prepare to face
up to the Bear, assuming it doesn’t
Normally the month of July, until 2017 and will not achieve full settle down again into hibernation, the
which has just drawn to a operational capability to 2020, Americans have been running a series
close as I pen this final page assuming her F35B Lightning II ‘jump of multinational training exercises at
of C&S, marks the start of the jet’ complement is in service, so for the various levels. In this issue Carl covers
‘silly season’ in the news as next six years Britain will still not have COMBINED RESOLVE II and next month
the masses start winding down any seaborne fixed wing combat aircraft we have three associated features
for their summer holidays or capability. already in the pipeline.
annual leave and hard stories
become a little bit scarce. With this in mind, one wonders if it was At the end of July Britain’s new defence
Not this year, however, as sensible for HMS Illustrious, the only minister announced that the British Army
topics such as the plight of Royal Navy ship with the capability will be undertaking a major armoured
Gaza’s civilian population in to operate a complement of NATO V/ battlegroup exercise in Poland this
the face of almost a month STOL aircraft, to be decommissioned October, with around 1350 troops and
of Israeli retribution against in July. HMS Ocean, currently the only as many as 350 vehicles involved. We
the Hamas government and Royal Navy helicopter carrier in service have also picked up from NATO military
its fighters, and the downing as sister ship HMS Albion is undergoing contacts that the UK is supposed to be
of the Malaysian passenger a lengthy refit, has taken over Lusty’s participating shortly in a Multinational
airliner MH17 over strife- role as a stopgap measure until HMS Forcible Entry exercise in north-east
torn eastern Ukraine plus Queen Elizabeth is operational, though Europe, possibly as soon as late August
the West’s inability to exert on cost grounds she will be mothballed or early September.
much influence over either in 2016 when Albion comes back on-
the warring parties in the stream. If at all possible we will try to cover
Middle East or Vladimir Putin’s these important training serials but,
support for the pro-Russian In 2002 the civil service bean-counters despite us formally requesting dates and
insurgency in the Crimea and pensioned off Britain’s Sea Harrier details from the relevant department in
the neighbouring Donetsk fleet from 2006 on the grounds that Whitehall a week ago (and following this
region, have been filling the the F35B would be in service by 2012, up) it seems that communicating with
headlines. even though that would have left a six the specialist defence media is currently
year capability gap, but at least there not a priority for MoD Directorate of
A
t home senior military command- was still the possibility of flying RAF Media Communications personnel.
ers, and even some politicians, Harriers from Illustrious to try to bridge
have been warning that Britain’s this gap. Then they decommissioned C&S does not have the near bottomless
defence capability has been the RAF jump jet fleet too, in December pit of resources that the news channels
seriously degraded over the last fifteen 2010, and a year later sold them off to have, and the MoD does not lay on free
or so years and have been urging that the US Marines. Still at least there was transportation and accommodation in
more resources be devoted to reinvig- the possibility of the USMC, one of our the same way that many other nations
orating our armed services. With more NATO partners, operating their AV8 look after their specialist defence media,
than a quarter of a century of observing Harriers off Illustrious on multinational but if given sufficient notice of major
military matters under our belt, C&S operations. Worryingly, even that option multinational exercises we try to provide
agrees wholeheartedly with them. no longer exists with no fixed wing coverage if at all feasible ... and at no
carriers currently on the Royal Navy’s expense to the taxpayer. On a value for
On the positive side, the first of our books. money basis we might just be one of
long-awaited aircraft carriers, HMS the best ‘on-message’ publicity assets
Queen Elizabeth [R08], was named by Well at least we are currently living in a available for Royal Marine, British Army
Her Majesty on 4th July and floated stable world. Aren’t we? and RAF Regiment recruitment ... if only
out of her dock just a few days later. MoD would grant us reasonable access.
However she will not be commissioned In the light of the Russian Bear going on One can but wish. - BM

The tank company of the
Romanian battlegroup that
took part in COMBINED
RESOLVE II was equipped
with TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’
main battle tanks which are
armed with a 100mm gun
2
EXERCISE COMBINED 1st of May 2014, around noon.
RESOLVE II TOOK PLACE From his hatch the commander of
IN MAY AND JUNE WITH a TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’, Romanian
4,300 TROOPS FROM 15 for Bison or Buffalo, main battle
DIFFERENT NATIONS BEING tank of the Opposing Forces (OpFor)
TRAINED UNDER US LEAD TO carefully scans the other end of the one
CONDUCT DEFENSIVE AND kilometre wide valley on the Hohenfels Above: AH-64D the AH-64D Apache combat helicopters
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS training area through a pair of binocu- Apache combat of the NATO contingency forces, that
IN A JOINT COMBINED lars, looking for any signs of the enemy. helicopters from have now operated in the area for some
ENVIRONMENT. THE
MANOEUVRES WERE HELD AT
The Romanian’s MBT and two others the 2nd Battalion time, have not yet detected the tanks.
have been given the task of overwatch of the 159th Attack
THE JOINT MULTINATIONAL on an obstacle belt that denies access It is clear that something is going on as,
READINESS CENTER (JMRC) to the valley and consists of barbed wire
Reconnaissance in addition to the combat helicopters,
OF THE US ARMY EUROPE and a large number of anti-tank mines.
Battalion provided the roaring of engines has been heard in
(USAREUR), SITUATED AT combat aviation the distance for some time and the noise
THE HOHENFELS TRAINING The tankers have chosen their support to the NATO is growing louder every minute. Then all
AREA IN SOUTHERN positions well, making best use of any contingency forces hell breaks loose, detonations caused
GERMANY. C&S FOLLOWED possible cover that the ground offers. by simulation devices echo through
THIS MAJOR EXERCISE AND Camouflaged with branches the vehicles Images © the valley, the bangs indicating that the
HERE IS OUR REPORT. are hard to spot by the human eye. Even Carl Schulze artillery of the NATO contingency forces

M2A3 Bradley
armoured infantry
fighting vehicles
from the 2nd
Battalion of the 5th
Cavalry Regiment
advance along a road
on the Hohenfels
training area
1 2
is shelling the valley. A HMMWV fitted 1: During the exercise

with a smoke generator passes in US troops of the
front of the positions of the Romanian European Response
tanks, within seconds the valley is Force (ERF) fielded
covered in thick white smoke, visibility state of the art US
suddenly is zero. Army equipment such up overwatch positions the French into the valley. Again loud bangs echo,
as this M1A2 SEP engineers rush forward to a previously but this time they originate from the
The message is clear, the enemy
(v2) Abrams MBT with identified possible breaching point. gunfire simulation kits fitted to the US
artillery has changed from high
a Track Width Mine Close to the obstacle belt they dismount and Romanian MBTs that are now
explosive shells to smoke shells in from their VABs. It does not take engaging each other.
Plough
order to cover any movement of the engineers long to cut their way
the attacking NATO contingency through the wire obstacle and blow a Obstacle breaching was only one of the
forces. Hidden from Romanian eyes
2: Mobility for the
French engineers that breach through the minefield. With the tasks the troops taking part in exercise
by the smoke, the attack begins obstacle breached the French platoon COMBINED RESOLVE II had to master
to strike home on the other side of
supported the 2nd
commander radios over the net that his in the Situational Training Exercises
the obstacle. Supported by French Battalion from the
soldiers have fulfilled their task. (STX) phase of the exercise. STXs are
engineers mounted on VAB wheeled 5th Cavalry Regiment
short, scenario-driven, mission-oriented,
armoured personnel carriers, of the US Army was
This is the signal the crews of the limited exercises conducted over a
American M1A2 SEP (v2) Abrams provided by VAB Génie Abrams MBTs have been waiting for. limited period of time and designed
main battle tanks and M2A3 Bradley wheeled armoured Vehicle after vehicle, they now begin to to train one collective task or a group
armoured infantry fighting vehicles of engineer section move out of their overwatch positions of related tasks or battle drills through
C Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry vehicles and move down to the breach. Only practice. During COMBINED RESOLVE
Regiment close in on the obstacle belt. minutes later the first platoon of tanks II the STXs were conducted prior to
has passed through. On the other side the main force-on-force exercise in
While the MBTs and AIFVs take the MBTs fan out and begin to advance order to allow the troops of the different
10 Combat & Survival

3
participating nations to get used to Main Image: French

each other and to develop common troops from the
operational procedures. 1er Compagnie of
126e Régiment
MULTINATIONAL COOPERATION d’Infanterie clear
Conducted between the 8th of May
and the 2nd of June, COMBINED
one of the several
RESOLVE II saw the participation training villages
of over 4,000 troops, 60% of who on the Hohenfels
were from the US with the remainder training area held by
originating from NATO nations and enemy forces
other partner states of the USA. Non-
US participants included troops from 3: Lithuania took part
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, with a reinforced
Croatia, France, Georgia, Hungary, mechanised infantry
Kosovo, Lithuania, Poland, Romania,
company from the
Serbia and Slovenia.
Geležinis Vilkas
The strength of the contingents of the Motorizuotoji
Pestininku› Brigada
·
different participating nations varied, 4
the Serbian contingent for example ‘Iron Wolf’ motorised
consisting mainly of an infantry infantry brigade
platoon numbering some 30 troops. equipped with M113
The Albania and Bulgaria contingents APCs
mainly consisted of infantry
companies numbering well over 100 4: During the
troops, while the French contingent
defensive battle
numbered some 230 troops and
included the 1er Compagnie, 126e
phase of exercise
Régiment d’Infanterie, an engineer Combined Resolve
platoon and a Joint Terminal Attack II a Lithuanian
Controller (JTAC) team. Lithuania soldier engages
deployed to Germany a mechanised opposing forces
infantry company, an anti-tank platoon with a wooden stock
and a Joint Terminal Attack Controller 7.62mm FN MAG
(JTAC) team from the Geležinis Vilkas machinegun
Motorizuotoji Pŝstininkƌ Brigada
‘Iron Wolf’ motorised infantry brigade.

Romanian soldiers of the Opposing Forces (OPFOR) dismount from a MLI-84M ‘Jderul’ armoured infantry
fighting vehicle in order to clear a ridge held by Lithuanian troops
Austria participated in the exercise 5 6
with a battalion-size light infantry
battlegroup centred around the elite
airborne infantry unit Jägerbataillon
25, and the Austrian contingent also
involved engineers and an aviation
asset with Augusta Bell 212 utility
helicopters. Romania took part
in the exercise with an armoured
battlegroup, including a mechanised
infantry company, a tank company,
a JTAC team and other assets, in
total some 300 troops. While most
of the participating nations deployed
with their own vehicles, weapon and
equipment, some only deployed their 5: The new standard and to train its soldiers on all echelon
troops who were then issued with US service assault rifle of levels in the art of interoperability
weapons and vehicles. the Lithuanian Armed and cooperation with foreign forces.
Forces, used by this After the US Army withdrew all its
Major US units involved in the exercise soldier on COMBINED remaining armoured units from Europe,
were the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry 7
RESOLVE II, is the and Germany in particular, in recent
Regiment of the 1st Brigade of the 5.56mm G36 KA4 assault years the ERF has been established
1st Cavalry Division, the 1st Battalion rifle manufactured by the to provide the US Army Europe with
of the 4th Infantry Regiment, the Heckler & Koch a combined-arms, battalion-size
professional OPFOR of the Joint armoured battlegroup for contingency
Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) 6: 8: When soldiers operations.
of the US Army Europe (USAREUR) were hit umpires issued
and the 3rd Battalion of the 158th kill cards containing Since early 2014 the heavy equipment
Aviation Regiment, with elements information of wounds for the ERF has been prepositioned
of the 2nd Battalion of 159th Attack received - here an in southern Germany, at the a Lithuanian infantry company were also
Reconnaissance Battalion attached. Austrian soldier is Grafenwöhr Garrison, and is known
briefed by a US umpire evaluated and certified for the NATO
The exercise was directed by the Joint as the European Activity Set (EAS). By Response Force by a team of evaluators
Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) on his comrade’s injuries
prior to him applying doing this only the troops have to be provided by the Supreme Headquarters
which also assisted with training and moved to Germany, taking over heavy
umpire personnel and supported
first aid Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
equipment and vehicles after their
the exercise with its state of the art
7: Using an M88 A2 arrival. The first formation to provide DIFFERENT PHASES
simulation technology environment. the ERF was the 1st Brigade of the Exercise COMBINED RESOLVE II
Heavy Equipment
Recovery Combat Utility 1st Cavalry Division based at Fort was played out in the fictitious state
EXERCISE PURPOSE Lift and Evacuation Hood, Texas. For exercise COMBINED of Atropia, situated in the Caucasus
The overall objective of COMBINED RESOLVE II the 2nd Battalion of the region, and was set in a high intensity
RESOLVE II was to exercise the
System (HERCULES)
US soldiers change the 5th Cavalry Regiment, one of the conflict scenario. The background
European Response Force (ERF) of the Combined Arms Battalions (CAB) of the involved everything from quarrels that
US Army, which is newly formed under
power pack of an Abrams
tank prior to the force on brigade, was deployed to Germany. had ancient roots to current disputes
the Regional Aligned Forces (RAF) over the control of water, oil and gas
doctrine, in a multinational environment
force phase
As part of the exercise a Georgian and resources. Instability resulting from

The MLI-84M ‘Jderul’ armoured infantry fighting vehicles fielded by the Romanian infantry is fitted with a
25mm automatic cannon, a coaxial machinegun and a Spike anti-tank guided missile launcher
8
US troops from the

1st Battalion of the
4th Infantry Regiment
have just stormed
a combat outpost
previously occupied
by Bulgarian forces
- the exercise was
set in a high intensity
conflict scenario
ethnic tension and economic difficulties Multiple Integrated Laser Equipment

and weak and non-representative System (MILES) tactical engagement
governments also played their part and simulation system equipment.
eventually resulted in an invasion of Following this the units then deployed
Atropia by a neighbouring state. to assigned Tactical Assembly Areas
(TAA), where low level familiarisation
In the exercises participating forces training was conducted.
were either functioning as a US-led
NATO contingency force deployed to The next phase to come was the
the region, as forces of the Atropian Situational Training Exercises (STX)
Army or as the invading Opposing
Forces. The Atropian Army was mainly
phase that took place between the 8: A pair of OSV-Ts lost territory from the OPFOR. On the
formed by the Austrian and Bulgarian

18th and 22nd of May. During this (OPFOR Surrogate 30th of May the fighting finished and
forces, supported by some elements

obstacle breaching, fighting in urban Vehicle - Tank) was followed by a day of After Action
of the US Army National Guard who

areas, air assault operations, engineer which are T-80 MBT Reviews conducted at all levels.
were also taking part in the exercise.

training, the evacuation of civilians on replicas used by the In early June 2014 exercise COMBINED
The Opposing Forces, which also

the battlefield and other missions were 1st Battalion of the RESOLVE II was followed by a large
included irregular forces, were jointly

trained for. 4th Infantry Regiment live fire exercise held at the Grafenwöhr
provided by the 1st Battalion of the 4th

seen advancing along ranges, also situated in southern
Infantry Regiment, and the Romanian

On 23rd of May the actual force- a road passing through Germany. Involving most of the
armoured battlegroup. The remaining

on-force field training exercise part wooded terrain. forces that took part in the previously
of COMBINED RESOLVE II started conducted force-on-force exercise the
participating forces formed the with the Defence Phase. During 9: A Bulgarian soldier live fire training lasted up to the end of
brigade-size NATO contingency force. this phase the NATO contingency engages an enemy the month. Elements of the European
The exercise was conducted in forces had to fight a defensive battle position with an Response Force (ERF), provided by
several phases. After their arrival at against the OPFOR, denying them RPG-7 simulator - the the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Cavalry
the Hohenfels training area, up to the the opportunity to gain much ground. system is only one of Regiment, in addition to taking part in
16th of May, the participating units With the Defensive Phase completed many available at the exercise COMBINED RESOLVE II, also
were put through a Reception, Staging, on the 26th of May, the next day the Joint Multinational took part in Exercise ROCHAMBEAU
Onward-movement and Integration Attack Phase started. this saw the Readiness Center used 14, held in France in 2014, and Exercise
(RSOI) package that also involved NATO contingency forces now on to make training more SABRE STRIKE 14, held in Lithuania in
equipping troops and vehicles with the the offensive, tasked with regaining realistic June.

A fleet of AAV7PA1
Amphibious Assault
Vehicles loaded with
US Marines swims
ashore on Dogu Beach
on the outskirts of
Pohang

GENERAL DOUGLAS Right: Marines lie
MACARTHUR’S BOLD on the edge of a
AMPHIBIOUS LANDING AT beach after a major
INCHEON, WEST OF SEOUL,
amphibious landing
ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 1950
CONSTITUTED A DECISIVE
by American and
TURNING POINT IN THE South Korean allies
KOREAN WAR (1950-53). - this US Marine has
CODENAMED OPERATION an M203 grenade
CHROMITE, THE LANDINGS launcher attached to
INVOLVED SOME 75,000 his M16A4
TROOPS AND 261 NAVAL
VESSELS. IT LED TO THE 1: Landing Craft
RECAPTURE OF SEOUL FROM Air Cushion (LCAC)
NORTH KOREAN FORCES
craft of the US
WITHIN A FORTNIGHT AND
ENABLED UNITED NATIONS
Navy were kept
FORCES TO BREAK OUT OF busy transporting
THE PUSAN POCKET IN THE equipment to shore
FAR SOUTH-EAST OF THE - this one carries an
COUNTRY. MTVR 7-ton truck at Corps (ROKMC) personnel occurred 1
the bow simultaneously at different beaches in
I
n 2014, the US Marine Corps the vicinity of Pohang on South Korea’s
(USMC) returned to the Korean east coast.
Peninsula with an amphibious
assault conducted by thou- Last year, Combat & Survival featured
sands of Marines on 31st April. In a South Korean Marines and this year
challenging feat of command and it is time to focus on their American
control, three landings combining counterparts, especially with such a
US and Republic of Korea Marine large-sized exercise taking place. C&S

Members of 1/4
Marines rapidly
dismount from the
rear ramp of an
AAVP7A1 on White
Beach - note the
crewman on the left
providing cover
An MV-22B Osprey flies over a landing beach - this Abrams tank

was crewed by reservists from Charlie Company, 4th Tank Battalion
of the USMC
enjoyed exclusive opportunities Exercise SSANG YONG is an annual Top image: An 2

to witness the landings as well as exercise conducted between the M1A1 Abrams tank
follow-on training. USMC and ROKMC on the Korean
disembarks from an
Peninsula. It nestles within Exercise
Double Dragon FOAL EAGLE, a two month long
LCAC near Pohang
The aforementioned landings were bilateral exercise between the United - the tank originally
an important element in Exercise States and its South Korean ally each came from a Guam-
SSANG YONG 2014 (the Korean year. US officials explained: “SSANG based Maritime
name translates as Double Dragon) YONG 2014 is a combined, forcible- Prepositioning Ship
and it kicked off a week-long series entry operations exercise designed for (MPS)
of drills between the two allies, the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB)-
aim of which was “to penetrate level amphibious operations in order Marine Expeditionary Units
notional enemy beach defences, to train US and ROK Navy and Marine 2: An MV-22B The two participating MEUs were the
establish a beachhead and rapidly forces”. 31st MEU, which is forward-deployed
transition forces and sustainment
Osprey of VMM-262
on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa,
ashore”. The landings involved The overall number of troops was
‘Flying Tigers’ and the 13th MEU, which is based at
AAV7A1 vehicles from the USA hugely impressive – 7,500 US Marines approaches the Camp Pendleton in California. These
and South Korea, while a whole and 2,000 US Navy (USN) sailors, plus amphibious assault were joined by another infantry battalion
host of armoured vehicles, artillery, 3,500 ROK Marines and 1,000 ROK ship USS Bonhomme based in Okinawa as part of the Unit
trucks, naval vessels, landing Navy (ROKN) sailors. This amounted to Richard off the coast Deployment Program (UDP) that
ships, hovercraft, helicopters and some 14,000 military personnel, which of Pohang features six-monthly rotational forces.
aircraft contributed to the overall represented a major commitment in the
exercise. On the same day as the face of severe budget cutbacks, on the On this occasion the USMC was able
initial amphibious landings, artillery US side in particular. In fact, the scale to establish a full-sized Regimental
shells splashed into South Korean of the exercise was unprecedented in Landing Team (RLT) comprising the
waters in an act designed to express the past twenty years. The sheer size following three infantry battalions:
volatile North Korea’s displeasure at was made possible by two separate • 1/4 Marines - the Battalion Landing
the combined US-ROK drills. South USMC Marine Expeditionary Units Team of the 13th MEU
Korean artillery promptly returned (MEU) being available in the area at the • 2/3 Marines - home based in Hawaii
fire. same time. • 2/5 Marines - the Battalion Landing

Members of 2/3 Marines disembark from an Osprey
tiltrotor aircraft during a company-sized vertical
assault inland from Dokseok-ri Beach
Left: This M1161 3
Light Strike
Vehicle, a member
of the Internally
Transportable
Vehicle (ITV) family,
is armed with
a .50-cal M2HB
machinegun
3: A 40mm Mk.19
automatic grenade
launcher mounted on
an HMMWV provides
suppressing fire
during a Combined-
Team of the 31st MEU Arms Live-Fire
EXercise (CALFEX)
The USS Bonhomme Richard of their activities included vertical raids 4
Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) of 4: A battery of using Ospreys, amphibious landing
the USN ferried the 31st MEU to and M777A2 155mm drills, live firing of all types of weapon
from Korea, while the USS Boxer ARG lightweight systems (artillery, mortars, tanks and
lifted the 13th MEU. Furthermore, two
howitzers from 1/12 crew-served weapons), and Military
USMC MV-22B Osprey squadrons
participated to form a brigade-sized
Marines, an artillery Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT).
Aviation Combat Element (ACE). battalion, fires high-

Something else that made the exercise
Ospreys based in Okinawa have got explosive shells at significant was the deployment of twelve
up to speed with recent exercises, Suseong Range USMC M1A1 Abrams tanks. Such
as well as providing invaluable heavy equipment is not typically seen
assistance after Typhoon Haiyan in Asian exercises, so this was a first
struck the central Philippines last on such a big scale. The Abrams tanks via Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)
November. came from two Maritime Prepositioning near Pohang, while the remainder were
Ships (MPS) based in Guam, and they offloaded by crane at Gwangyang port
Once ashore on the Korean were crewed by reservists from Charlie in the south-west of the country.
Peninsula, US Marines conducted a Company, 4th Tank Regiment of the 4th
week of high-intensity training. Some Marine Division. Half the tanks landed The USA has three squadrons of MPS

Marines from 2/3 climb an embankment as they continue rooting out
defenders during a combined raid at an abandoned ROKMC facility
vessels as part of the Military Sealift including on the Korean Peninsula. US 5

Command’s (MSC) prepositioning defence spending is successively being
programme. These squadrons trimmed back, and allies are beginning
with their 31 ships are located in to question the USA’s ‘staying power’
the Mediterranean, Diego Garcia and its commitment to President Barack
and Guam/Saipan. The ships have Obama’s much-vaunted strategic
sufficient equipment to support rebalance.
a Marine Air-Ground Task Force
(MAGTF) for 30 days and they can General Curtis Scaparrotti, the
unload at sea or at a pier. They are an commander of US Forces Korea (USFK),
important factor for supporting USMC said his 28,500-man force on the
contingency operations worldwide. peninsula was “fully resourced” but he
was concerned about the readiness of
Another special aspect of this year’s follow-on forces from the continental US
SSANG YONG exercise was the (CONUS) that are critical to American 5: Members of 6
first-time participation of a combat war plans if conflict ever breaks out with Brisbane-based
formation from the Australian Army. the Kim Jong-un regime. Bravo Company, 6th
Major Mark Slavin told C&S that
98 soldiers from Bravo Company,
Battalion, Royal
Nevertheless, despite American
6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Australian Regiment
cutbacks, the USMC is approaching
Regiment (6 RAR) were in South Korea restoration of full military capability in the
(6 RAR) conduct
for training. This unit belongs to the Asia-Pacific region. Lieutenant General urban training at a
7th Brigade based in Brisbane, and John Whissler, commanding general South Korean facility
it usually operates with Bushmaster of the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III
vehicles. It would have made more MEF) that is headquartered in Okinawa, 6: This Australian
sense for Australia to despatch 2 RAR told C&S, “The Marine Corps is almost is firing a 7.62mm
to Exercise SSANG YONG, because complete with the rebalance to the Maximi machine
that unit has taken up a dedicated Pacific. We now have regained all the gun, a recent
amphibious role within the Australian
Army, but perhaps it will appear in
ground combat capability [four infantry addition to the
battalions] that we actually had here in
future iterations. army’s inventory - it
the Pacific prior to 2003. We still have
some aviation units that will be complete
provides heavier
USMC Ups Its Pacific Game by the end of this fiscal year or early in firepower than the
There is growing concern amongst the next fiscal year. We will be back to standard 5.56mm
top US military officers about their roughly 30,000 Marines in III MEF.” Of F89 Minimi
country’s ability to respond to a this total, 19,000 are positioned west of
security crisis in the Asia-Pacific region, the International Dateline.

Recently the Malaysian Army’s Grup Gerak Khas (Special Service
Group) undertook a waterfront Counter-Terrorism training exercise
and demo in Kuala Lumpur. Gordon Arthur was on hand to capture
the action for C&S and we will bring you his report just as soon as
sufficient space becomes available. - Image © Gordon Arthur

First Class
Sergeant of the KSA
(Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia) Royal Guard
Regiment equipped
with pistol,
shotgun, assault
rifle, armour plate
carrier and helmet

1 One of the two brown-clad teams from Saudi Arabia’s elite and seldom seen Special Forces
Brigade 64 reach the crest - their start point was the white canopy above the bonnet
2 The effort needed to flip the massive tractor tyre can be seen on the faces of
China’s Blue Team as they head on the return leg towards the firing point
Ten years ago, at SOFEX 1: China’s Yellow Ceremony and display on Wednesday Monday we had to break away to sit
2004, the C&S team was Team push the pick-up 30th April or the first three stages of in on the Middle East Special Opera-
shown plans and a scale truck loaded with the competition held the next day, but tions Commander’s (MESOC), thereby
model of a projected Special ammo boxes and eager to document as much of the unfortunately missing out on the Top
Operations training centre water jerrycans up competition as possible we spent the Gun stage, before returning to KASOTC
which the Jordanian Ministry a long slope at the following three days out under the in the late afternoon to photograph the
of Defence hoped would in end of which awaits blazing desert sun following teams Awards Ceremony.
time become a world class the log carry and tyre around five of the following six stages
facility. Five years later, in shifting challenges plus the King’s Challenge finale which Built inside a massive disused quarry,
May 2009, the King Abdullah took place on the Sunday. On the about half an hour’s drive from down-
II Special Operations 2: China’s Snow
Training or KATOSC was Leopards (Red Team)
formally opened and as part striding in perfect
of the ceremonies three unison, with the two
Spec Ops teams participated largest under one
in a skills competition. From log and the three
these humble beginnings smallest under the
the annual WARRIOR other, head back
COMPETITION grew in towards the tractor
size and stature, just like tyre
KATOSC itself. In early May
we were invited to cover the Right: Jordan’s Royal
sixth competition. Guard engage falling
targets from the firing
M
agazine production point atop a bund
schedules and prior com- after the truck push,
mitments prevented us log carry and tyre
being in Jordan at the start shifting challenges
of the event to cover the Opening against the clock

All targets had to be knocked down or all magazines emptied before each team was allowed to sprint to the finishing line
at the end of the Commando Selection stage
3
From our perspective, the primary 3: The Slovakian Team

town Amman, the KATOSC facility
advantage of being invited to cover poses for C&S - note
consists of around sixty training
the 6th WARRIOR COMPETITION the mix of vz 2007
buildings ranging in size from
was the opportunity to see almost Pust (Desert) and Lez
domestic dwellings to shops and
three dozen or so Spec Ops teams, (Woodland) digital
offices to multi-storey buildings and
who would normally be very camera
even includes a full-sized Airbus 300 camo patterns plus
shy, from around twenty nations
replica to allow aircraft assaults to be earlier Czech vz 95
undertaking a range of gruelling
undertaken. Virtually every building pattern trousers at left
tasks in a highly competitive yet
can be used for practising live fire
relaxed and friendly environment.
scenarios and there are conventional Right:At the start of
‘CK’, the former US Marine Corps
and open terrain pistol, rifle and each stage the body
sergeant and head of MissionX,
sniper ranges throughout the quarry armour of one team
who organised the events on behalf
complex. Buildings are rigged with
of KATOSC, explained to us that
member (here KSA
cameras and digital monitoring
competitors arrive at the centre as
Royal Guard) was
facilities to allow students to learn
‘alpha males’ eager to prove their
chosen at random and
from their mistakes by replaying
superiority but after just a couple
weighed to ensure
events to them in a classroom
of days going head-to-head with
it met the minimum
environment after the assault.
the opposition and then socialising
requirement

Last checks for
Palestine’s NSF
(National Security
Force) Team 101 at the
start line of the Urban
Assault stage - sniper
team position was the
roof of the building on
the mound
4: The elite Iraqi Special with them in the evenings they

4 6
Operations Forces team soon start forming bonds with guys
receives their final briefing who are actually not very different
before the Urban Assault from themselves in their skills and
- note the door breaching dedication.
kit carried by the operator As most of the competitors are
second from right currently serving military or law
enforcement Special Forces or
5: Bahrain’s Royal Special
Special Operators, and as many of
Forces Regiment team
them could well be undertaking live
sprints off - sniper and
spotter break left for the operations against deadly enemies
roof as the assault team in conflict zones when or just after
5 trio heads towards the this magazine hits the newsstands,
clear EyePro. This is actually pretty
target building in the there was a degree of concern
much SOP when C&S covers SF or
village complex about their images being used in a
SpecOps personnel, so we would
magazine that is widely available in
have done it anyway, and just to be
6: Canadian Special so many countries around the globe.
on the safe side we are pixellating
Operations Regiment Early on we promised several team
everybody; with the exception of the
(CSOR) sniper team races managers, most notably from NATO
Chinese teams, who told us we were
up the hill towards the nation teams but also some from the
okay to publish full faces.
rooftop from where they Middle East, that we would obscure
will suppress hostiles for facial details where the operators This month we are focussing on two
the assault team were clean-shaven and/or wearing of the stages held on Day 2, namely

7 8
the Commando Selection and the designated firing range area they up a slope, after which they raced out 7: A three-man
the Urban Assault. We also briefly loaded their weapons. Also on safety and back over a 200-metre course assault team - this
covered the 3-Gun Gauntlet stage, grounds, some of my shots had to be carrying two telegraph poles, before one is Jordanian
but more on that another day. Like taken from a distance using a rather flipping (not rolling) a very heavy tyre - makes its way
all of the competitive stages, these long zoom lens (the Jordanian Army at least 50 metres around a traffic speedily to the
events included a live-fire element as camera team I worked alongside cone and repositioning it exactly inside Forming Up Point as
well as a degree of physical exertion, nicknamed this Mr Bob’s RPG!). a marked circle, then they engaged
its snipers provide
run against the clock with time and a bank of dropping targets at 100
points penalties being awarded for In brief, the Commando Selection metres and finally sprinted another 100
overwatch from high
mistakes of failures. In most close- stage involved each 5-man team metres to the finishing line ... against
above our camera
up photos on safety grounds the filling the loadbed of a pick-up truck the clock. position
weapons have no magazine fitted, with ammo boxes and full jerrycans
but as soon as the operators ran into then pushing it more than 500 metres To be continued ... 8: The assault trio
from Palestine’s NSF
101, protected by
snipers overhead,
sprint from the
Forming Up Point
towards the target
building to locate
and take down a
high value target
Left: The rooftop
snipers overhead had
to engage several
hostiles in and
around this urban
complex - two of the
targets in the open
which were visible
from our camera
position are ringed
in red
Images ©
Bob Morrison :
Military Scene

TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ tanks of
the Batalionului 284 Tancuri
on the move - their 8VS-
A2T2M 8-cylinder turbo-
charged direct injection
diesel engines give a top
speed of 60km/hr
T
According to the United he TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’, or ‘Bison’, is
Nations the Romanian Army the most modern variant of the Tanc
has a total of 857 main battle Românesc Model 1985 cu Motor
tanks in its vehicle inventory, de 800cp, also called TR-85-800 or
namely; 530 T-55, 42 TR-77- in short just the TR-85. The TR-85 was
580, 231 TR-85 and 54 TR-85 developed between 1978 and 1986,
M1 ‘Bizonul’. Based at Galati based on the Tanc Românesc Model
1&2: Between 2
in eastern Romania, the 1977 cu Motor de 580cp, or TR-77-580.
1997 and 2009
Batalionului 284 Tancuri of The TR-77-580 in turn is a Romania-built the Romanian
the Brigada 282 Mecanizata variant of the Soviet T-55 that features a Armed Forces
)
‘Unirea Principatelor’ is the modified and stretched hull, a chassis received a total
only tank battalion in the with six road wheels on each side and of 54 of the TR-85
Romanian Army to field the armoured side skirts. M1 - Batalionului
TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ MBT. In 284 Tancuri is the
May 2014 one company of In comparison to the TR-77-580 the only unit in the
TR-85 M1 tanks was deployed more modern TR-85 features a new De Maüini Grele Speciale in Bucharest;
to southern Germany for
Romanian Army
turret, a new and more powerful fire today the tank plant runs under the
exercise COMBINED RESOLVE control system, a new suspension and
equipped with this designation Uzina Mecanica Bucuresti¸
)
II (see page 09). C&S used a more powerful engine. Some 400
main battle tank (UMB) and belongs to the 100% state-
the occasion, which also of the TR-77-580 were manufactured owned Romarm S.A. which is the largest
marked the first deployment between 1977 and 1981. The TR-85 supplier for arms and ammunition to the
of Romanian tanks abroad went into series production in 1986 Romanian Armed Forces.
since World War II, to and up to 1990 around 100 vehicles
research and photograph the were produced annually. Production Modernisation To NATO Standard
‘Bizonul’ MBT. of the TR-85 took place at the Fabrica With the end of the Cold War, the

The suspension of the TR-85
M1 ‘Bizonul’ consists of
torsion bars and hydro-gas
shock absorbers - these
tanks are fitted with a
double pin track with
exchangeable rubber pads
3 The nickname ‘Bizonul’ was assigned to

the new vehicle right from the beginning,
it standing for Bison. Under the
programme it was planned to upgrade
the vehicle in the areas of firepower,
protection and mobility as well as to fit it
with modern communication equipment.
Development of the TR-85 M1 was
conducted by the Romanian Armed
Forces in close cooperation with western
¸
downfall of the Ceausescu Regime, companies such as Aerospatiale-Matra,
the collapse of the Soviet Union and Sagem, Kollmorgen-Artus and Racal,
the disbandment of the Warsaw Pact, as well as Romanian companies such
Romanian politicians began to look as Romarm S.A., METRA - Military 3: A crew refuels 5
for new allies in the West as early
as in 1991/1992. In 1994 Romania
Equipment and Technologies Research their TR-85 M1 - in
Agency, Electromagnetica S.A., Faur addition to internal
joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) Bucuresti, Elprof S.A., IOR and Aeroteh
programme, newly established by tanks the vehicle is
S.A.
NATO, and in March 2004 the country fitted with a number
finally became a member of NATO. In 1997, after completion of the
of fuel tanks on top
development work and successful trials of the track guards
The drive to NATO membership with prototype vehicles, the TR-85 M1
required the Romanian Armed ‘Bizonul’ went into series production. 4: The ‘Bizonul’ has
Forces to transform themselves to Between 1997 and 2009 a total of 54 a gross weight of 50
meet NATO standards; a difficult TR-85 were upgraded to the ‘Bizonul’ tonnes and a ground
enterprise, made even more difficult version. During the upgrade process clearance of 420mm
by the insufficient funds available. the vehicles were, for example, fitted
It was the financial issue that drove
the Romanian Armed Forces to
with a modified turret with extended 5: Main armament
adopt the policy of modernising
turret bustle, a new electronic fire is the 100mm A308
control system, new optics and night rifled tank gun - its
in-service equipment whenever vision equipment, a new, more powerful fighting compartment and the engine
possible to meet NATO standards BM-421 Sg APFSDS-T
engine, a new transmission, a new compartment is situated in the rear of
instead of buying new equipment. braking system, a fire suppression
ammo can defeat up the hull. Inside the turret of the vehicle
In 1994 under this policy the system and a laser warning system.
to 328mm of rolled the commander and gunner are seated
Romanian Armed Forces launched homogeneous armour on the left while the loader is seated on
the Progamuli de Modernizare a Short Description at a distance of the right.
Tancului Mijlociu Romanesc TR-85 The TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ MBT features 4,000m
M1 ‘Bizonul’ programme for the a conventional layout. The driver The MBT has a gross vehicle weight of
modernisation of the TR-85 to NATO is seated in the front, the turret is 50,000kg, is 9,920mm long, 3,430mm
standard. mounted centrally on the hull over the wide, 2,380mm high and has a ground

The tank is of conventional layout - the driver is seated in the front, the fighting
compartment is situated in the centre, the turret is above this, and the engine
compartment at the rear
6 The driver is seated in a belt-harness 8

seat mounted under the roof of the
hull. The MBT is fitted with the SAILR
(Sistem de Avertizare la Iluminarea Laser
¸si Radar) laser and radar illumination
warning system that detects laser
or radar painting of the vehicle and Above: Insignia
warns the crew so that they can initiate worn by the tankers
counter-measures; for example firing of Batalionului 284
flares or smoke grenades from the Tancuri of Brigada
7 vehicle’s smoke grenade discharger 282 Mecanizata
)
system that features a total of twenty

81mm launch tubes. The system can
‘Unirea Principatelor’
also be programmed to set off the
smoke grenade discharger system 6: The12.7mm DShK
automatically. heavy machinegun
can be used in the
Mobility anti-aircraft role or
The TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ is powered to engage ground
clearance of 420mm. The vehicle can
by a Model 8VS-A2T2M liquid cooled, targets
8-cylinder, turbo-charged, direct injection
reach a top speed of 60km/h, has diesel engine developing 860hp at utilizes a 100mm A308 rifled tank gun.
a road-range of 400km, can cross 7: The driver, here
2300 rpm. The engine is connected to a The barrel of this is fitted with a fume
trenches up to 2,800mm wide and THM-5800 hydro-mechanical gear shift,
sitting head out, is extractor and a thermal protection
climb over obstacles up to 900mm steering and braking transmission with
seated in the front sleeve. A skilled loader can fire up
high. four forward and two reverse gears. The left of the hull to seven rounds from the gun in one
brakes are of the dry multidisc type. minute.
Protection 8: Batalionului 284
The front armour of the hull has a On each side the running gear of the tank commander Ammunition available for the gun
maximum thickness of 200mm, that vehicle consists of a drive sprocket - he sports the includes: the BK-412R and BK-5M
of the turret 320mm. A composite
add-on armour package fitted to the
at the rear, six rubber tyre dual road black beret worn HEAT rounds, the OF-412 HE round,
front of the turret offers additional

wheels, a front mounted idler wheel by members of the BR-412B and BR-412D AP-T rounds
and four return rollers. The suspension armoured units of the and target practice rounds. The BM-421
protection. The elements of the consists of torsion bars and hydrogas Sg APFSDS-T round was developed
composite armour can be easily shock absorbers. The tanks are
Romanian Army as part of the upgrade programme
exchanged once they have received fitted with a double pin track with that led to the TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’.
battle damage. Armoured side skirts exchangeable rubber pads. With the BM-421 Sg APFSDS-T, rolled
increase the protection of the side homogeneous armour up to 328mm
of the hull from attacks with shaped Armament thick can be penetrated at a distance of
charge warheads. As main weapon the TR-85 M1 ‘Bizonul’ up to 4,000m.

Manufacturer Romarm
Crew 4 (driver, commander, gunner and loader)
Gross Vehicle 50,000kg
Weight
Length 9,920mm
Width 3,430mm
Height 2,380mm
To increase first round hit capability,
especially when the MBT is moving, the Ground clearance 420mm
gun is fitted with an electrical stabilization Maximum road 400 km
system, the turret drive is also completely range
electric. Among other components the fire
control equipment of the tank includes: Maximum speed 60km/h
the SCF CICLOP -M ballistic fire control Power to weight 17.2 hp/ton
computer, the MATIS STD multi-purpose ratio
thermal imager operating at wavelengths The above two
Main armament 1x 100mm A308 rifled tank gun
between 3 and 5 m in the spectral band, images taken in
a laser rangefinder and the commander’s late June this year Main armament rate 4 to 7 rounds a minute
EC2-55R 55R panoramic sight with are of Romanian of fire
integrated second generation thermal
284 Battalion TR-85 Secondary 1x coaxial 7.62mm PK general purpose machine gun
imaging sight.
tanks undertaking a armament 1x 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun
Coaxially to the main gun, the tank is live fire exercise at 20x smoke grenade discharger tubes
fitted with a 7.62mm PK general purpose Grafenwöhr - note On board 41 rounds 100mm ammunition for main gun
machinegun. Next to the commander’s how side skirts ammunition 4.500 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
hatch a 12.7mm DShK heavy machinegun are fitted and one 750 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition
is installed that can be used for anti- tank is fitted with 24 smoke grenades
aircraft work or to engage soft targets on auxiliary fuel tanks 6 flares
the ground. at the rear [US Army: Engine Model 8VS-A2T2M liquid cooled, 8-cylinder, turbo
Specialist Markus charged, direct injection diesel engine, developing
The ‘Bizonul’ also features an NBC
Rauchenberger] 860hp at 2300 rpm
protection system. A fire suppression
system that uses halon is fitted to Transmission THM-5800 hydro-mechanical gear shift, steering and
the fighting compartment and engine Images © braking transmission with 4 forward and 2 reverse
compartment of the vehicle. The driver is Carl Schulze unless gears
equipped with an AONP-I passive night noted
Suspension Torsion bars and hydrogas shock absorbers
sight.

1 2
3 4
5 6
1: Glacis plate and front skirt - frontal armour is 200mm thick

2: Drivers hatch and vision block - a passive sight can be fitted at night
3: Glacis plate from above - note the infrared and night driving light
4: Armoured air intake filter box with exhaust outlet grille behind
5: Idler wheel at front
6: Road and return wheels
7: Pinion wheel at rear Images © Carl Schulze

9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16 8: Engine cooling grilles

9: Laser and radar sensor
10: DShK ammo pouches
11: DShK heavy machine gun
12: Turret composite armour
13: Commander and Loader hatches
14: Thermal imager
15: Commander’s periscopes
16: Smoke dischargers above exhaust

www.combatandsurvival.com
/combatandsurvival @CombatSurvival +CombatAndSurvivalOnline

“You are off into somewhere
unknown. You are carrying
enough water for the expected
duration of the task. But if things
change, do you know the effects
and early warning symptoms of
dehydration? Do you know how to
conserve the water already inside
you, and thereby reduce your
needs? If supplies run out, do you
know the best sources of water in
the wild?” Jason Polley
Dehydration is often associated in our

mind’s eye with the baking sun and endless
desert sands but in reality we humans
cannot survive very long without water in
even temperate climatic conditions
Model: Gin
Image © Bob Morrison

Stay cool by wearing
a wetted scarf - this
will reduce your
need for water
Dehydration become impaired and you make

Bear in mind you need several dangerous decisions.
litres of water a day to survive
and considerably more if in a It is irritability and impatience that
hot climate, physically exerting leads to carelessness that exposes
yourself. Unless you are drinking you to avoidable life-threatening
plenty and eating kilos of juicy situations.
fruits, you will inevitably drift into a
dehydrated state. WATER CONSERVATION
If water supplies are running low,
The key signs of dehydration to take action by reducing your water
look for are:- needs. Change your behaviour and
• Darker urine than usual conserve what you have by taking
• Ringing in your ears on board the following:-
• Feeling irritable • Rest in the shade during the
• Fatigue hottest parts of the day, using the
• Headaches night and dawn/dusk for physical
activity.
Thirst is an unreliable indicator • Keep cool by wetting clothes with
of your fluid needs, especially Above: Carry what 1
undrinkable fluids such as urine and
in colder climates. It is therefore seawater.
water you can, but
important to schedule water • Stop talking and instead breathe
find out where you
breaks regardless of how you only through your nose - every time can get refills before
feel and to keep an eye on your you open your mouth, you lose you run out
mates. As dehydration worsens, water as vapour ... so shut it!
delirium sets in, as does slurred • Water is needed to digest food so 1: Sucking a pebble
speech, dizziness and ultimately eat less, especially fatty foods, until or button will keep
death. However, what more adequate water is available. your mouth moist
commonly happens is that your • Stay covered up with loose-fitting and make you more
judgement and good sense cotton clothing and thereby reduce comfortable

2 4
fluid loss through evaporation. There are three main sources to

5
exploit.
You should automatically follow the
above whenever in hot climates and • From the ground: pools,
conserve what water you have. Ease streams, lakes, rain, etc. If collecting
the discomfort of a dry mouth and water from a river, draw it from the
throat by sucking a smooth pebble middle where it flows fastest and
or button. Remember, you can last cleanest. Be very cautious of drinking
several weeks on very little food, but still water from small pools as it may
only a few days without water. be contaminated. If you do not see
birds and animals drinking from these
FINDING WATER IN THE sources, or do not see their prints on
WILD the bank, it is probably best if you
Two factors must be stressed: avoid it as well.
One, if your own supplies look
to be inadequate, start looking Bees, flies and ants are never that far
for further water before you from a water source, so see where
become too physically weak or they go. Follow grain-eating birds and
mentally incapacitated. Two, use herbivorous animals and see where 2: One of the early of a nearby water source.
several water gathering methods their tracks lead. Carnivorous animals signs of dehydration
simultaneously to maximise your obtain much of their liquids from
is the onset of Notice the lay of the land and see
chances of finding enough water. blood, so are an unreliable indicator
headaches and where water would naturally gather,
3 irritability such as the outside of rivers and the
bottom of valleys.
3: Dig a hole in Dig an Indian Well in boggy ground:
boggy ground and dig a hole half a metre deep and half
allow cleaner water a metre wide. At first it will fill with
to drain into it dirty water; scoop this out and let it
refill. It will eventually fill with cleaner
4: Always carry water which after boiling (just to
some water make sure) is drinkable.
purification tablets
on you Gather dew and rainwater from wet
grass with absorbent clothing and
5: Boiling water for wring it out into a container. Collect
several minutes will rainwater as best you can, but make
sure the container is clean and not
kill most nasties
contaminated with something that
will induce sickness or diarrhoea.
Images © or via
Jason Polley • From plants: succulent fruit
and vegetables are obvious choices
but be careful of eating too much

Draw water from
the middle of a river
where it is fastest
and cleanest
and about 30cm (1ft) deep. Put in purification tablets into your container,
something damp such as vegetation, or boil it for at least five minutes.
and place a water container in Dirty water must be filtered as best
the middle. Cover the hole with a you can before trying to purify it with
translucent plastic sheet and seal the tablets. These methods may not kill
edges with earth. Drop a stone onto every beastie, but they will help.
the plastic directly above the water
container. Water, in small amounts, REHYDRATION
should condense on the underside Rehydration from a dehydrated state
of the plastic sheet and drip into your must be done slowly. Gulping down
container. a quick litre will probably induce
vomiting. Instead, sip it and allow
• From animals: blood is full your body to re-adjust slowly. Ideally
of nutrients as well as a source of add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of
hydrating liquid. Eye balls contain a sugar to each cup you drink, as this
drinkable liquid as well. Yum yum! will make you feel better quicker.
(particularly if unripe) as it may Above: Avoid still METHODS OF PURIFICATION See you next time when we will
induce diarrhoea. Generally, avoid pools if possible Water gathered from plants, animals, discuss the importance of fire.
drinking milky sap, but coconut milk as they may be by condensation or by melting snow or 6
and the liquid from barrel cacti are
drinkable.
contaminated ice does not need to be purified. Water
gathered from the ground, river, lakes,
6: Small water etc. does.
Cover part of a leafy plant with
a plastic bag, seal it and catch purifiers like this Unless you have a proper filter,
the ensuing water that will collect can save your improvise and pass the water through
through condensation. life and keep you a mesh of fine cloth and/or a tube
functioning. (perhaps a sock) containing sand
Try making a solar still: dig a and charcoal, but not ash. Do this a
hole about a metre (3ft) across few times then drop in some water

Today the European The detail images replaced with light tan. This camo,
nation of Serbia, though on this page and which was slightly tweaked a couple
not a member of NATO, the overall shots of times, was designated Model -
is an active participant Maskiranje Dezen Uniforme - 2002
on the preceding
in NATO’s Partnership for (i.e. Model 2002 Camouflage
Peace (PfP) programme
pages were Design Uniform) and abbreviated to
and, as we will see in a
taken by Carl M-MDU-02.
follow-on article in this during Exercise
month’s issue, it also COMBINED In 2010 a pixellated version of this
participates in United RESOLVE. In most five-colour woodland-type camo was
Nations peace-keeping shots the lightest introduced, with shades and area
missions. However, shade appears percentages being not too dissimilar,
following the collapse of greenish but under the designation M-MDU-10.
the Iron Curtain at the this is an optical The colours of this new digital camo,
start of the 1990s, what illusion as very which is now in widespread use,
was originally one of the light shades take are a light stone/tan shade, bottle
major constituent sub- on the hue of their green, pea green, reddish brown
republics, both in terms of and black. The pixels are not unduly
surroundings; this
size and population, of the large; unlike, for example, Slovakia’s
post-WWII Socialist Federal
being the primary Les and Pust patterns introduced in
Republic of Yugoslavia
reason they are 2007.
became embroiled in civil used. The lower
war with its neighbouring right image of a
republics and then with the Serbian soldier
internal semi-autonomous wearing the
republic of Kosovo.
around 22,000 Regular troops;
earlier M-MDU-02
pattern was taken
S
though possibly as many as eight
ince peacefully parting
times that number are available as by our sadly
company in 2006 with Mon-
trained Reservists. missed friend
tenegro to the east, which Yves Debay in
had been lumped in with its 2008.
Around the time of the break-up of
Serb neighbours since the end of
Yugoslavia a new five-colour oak
World War One, Serbia has both
become less insular and mod-
leaf camouflage pattern, designed Images ©
ernised its armed forces on more
in 1989, was widely introduced Carl Schulze
Western lines. Conscription was
across the JNA (Yugoslav National unless noted
Army) and in due course Serbia
abandoned at the start of 2011,
inherited this as the M89 pattern.
considerably downsizing the total
This consisted of three shades
number of troops in service, and
of green plus reddish brown and
today the Serbian Army (Kopnena
black. Around 2001 one of the
Vojska) is fully professional with
green shades was dropped and

OUR RECENT ASSIGNMENT
IN CYPRUS, COVERING Images ©
THE MAIN CONTINGENTS Bob Morrison -
SERVING WITH UNFICYP Military Scene
ON ITS 50TH BIRTHDAY,
GAVE US AN UNIQUE
OPPORTUNITY TO
PHOTOGRAPH SEVERAL
DIFFERENT CAMOUFLAGE
UNIFORMS IN A SIMILAR
FORMAT. IN MAY WE
STARTED PRESENTING
EACH ONE INDIVIDUALLY,
COMMENCING WITH
AN ARGENTINIAN NCO.
HOPEFULLY OUR IMAGES
AND NOTES WILL BE OF
USE TO OUR UNIFORM
/ CAMO COLLECTOR
READERS AND TO BADGE
COLLECTORS, AND
POSSIBLY TO LIVING
HISTORY RE-ENACTORS
TOO. EACH SOLDIER HAS
BEEN PHOTOGRAPHED IN
THE SAME WAY - USUALLY
KNEELING, FRONT, LEFT,
BACK AND RIGHT - PLUS
THERE ARE CLOSE-UPS OF
BOTH CAMO PATTERN AND
BADGES WORN.
I
n this fifth and final article in the the past small contingents of This well-received
mini-series we are concluding personnel deployed on UN duties Kit & Camo mini-
with the Serbian Contingent to arid areas have worn foreign series, which grew
(SERBCON) who work under desert pattern uniforms, such out of a simple
Slovakian Contingent (SLOVCON)
command in Sector 4, at the
as Bulgarian 3-colour DDPM, kernel of an idea,
eastern end of the UN Buffer Zone
the nation currently only fields would not have these pages were photographed
M-MDU-10 for conventional troop been possible while undertaking vehicle or
through Cyprus. The uniform they deployments. SERBCON in Sector familiarisation patrols out in the
wear is the woodland or temperate without the
4 is a 45-strong reinforced platoon assistance of all Buffer Zone in early March, when
digital pattern introduced in 2010 which has responsibility for one Aphrodite’s Island is at its most
and designated Model - Maskiranje those UN personnel
third of the sector but also supplies verdant, so their uniforms blend
Dezen Uniforme - 2010, or M-MDU- personnel to both the Mobile Force
who volunteered in reasonably well. As daytime
10. This is the same camo worn by Reserve in Nicosia and the sector
to pose for C&S. temperatures were well above
the Serbian troops who participated headquarters at Famagusta. With We would like to 20C it was T-shirt weather and one
on Exercise COMBINED RESOLVE this being such a comparatively express our thanks of the Blue Berets posed for us
in Germany in May and which is small detachment deployed to each and every without his jacket to allow us to
covered in the preceding article on overseas it would not be financially one of them plus photograph the standard M-MDU-
pages 42-44. viable to produce M-MDU combats to the UN Press 10 pattern issue garment worn
in desert colours so the woodland Officers who helped underneath the combat jacket.
Although Serbia trialled a desert pattern is issued. make it happen. Other photos on this page show
theatre digital camouflage the low visibility national badge,
pattern a few years ago, and in The Serbian peacekeepers on flag and rank insignia.

M
ore than a simple gun review, Main Image: British how other nations conduct their
I’m taking this as a little bit soldiers shoot business of waging war.
“The second you stop

extra. Being an Infantry Marine, rounds at their
forward deployed, I looked at The response I usually get is “Oh,
learning, is the second you targets during the
this shoot as a way to examine in depth that is very interesting” or “How
start dying!” That is a phrase the differences between the ways the
Regional Corps neat”, but it always ends there. Going
I recently used when talking British do things on their shooting side
Battle School’s back to my opening statement,
to Afghan National Army of the house and the way we do on ours. March and Shoot with war or really any organisation,
soldiers while teaching a How our two countries view safety, range Competition at if it isn’t constantly changing to an
counter-IED class in Helmand operations, shooting qualifications, Camps Bastion international tempo, it is doomed to
Province. The point I was and immediate action procedures for and Leatherneck in failure. This is not to say that the US
trying to get across was example. Helmand Province, Armed Forces are an archaic and
that in an IED environment,
your most important asset is
March 27th 2014. obsolete organisation. The military is
Something that is seriously disquieting The ‘Marines vs. very good at adapting to the enemy
your mind and how you use to me as a Marine is that sometimes it is facing, but I’m putting this insight
it to solve or predict certain British’ competition
our military is so sucked up into doing out there as a caution to anyone
situations. I am convinced things ‘our’ way that we become
involved 21, 4-man potentially falling in this trap of not
this maxim can be applied convinced that it is the best and only
teams running 7.2 being open-minded.
to anything involving life way. Indeed a lot of how we operate is kilometres then each
or death in the military, absolutely amazing, winning wars since team member firing SA80/L85 ASSAULT RIFLE
and police or, for civilian 1775 and becoming deadly proficient 20 rounds with their Adopted as the national service rifle in
application, self-defence. This at it; as examples, using integrated rifle and 20 rounds 1987, and replacing the L1A1 FN FAL,
is why, when I received an Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU SOC) with their pistol the SA80 (Small Arms of the 1980s)
opportunity to spend some
time with UK Forces on Camp
that can be in any conflict zone within [US DoD: got off to a rocky start in terms of
a matter of days, or basing our tactics Sgt. Jessica reliability. Looking through photos of
Bastion and shoot some of upon Combined Arms and Manoeuvre British troops in the first Gulf War, one
their weapons, I leapt at the Ostroska]
Warfare. But this sometimes gives us can see a lot of the rifles are taped up
chance. blinkers and I see it when I talk about to prevent jams from the sand.

At the very end of the 1990s the SA80 Right: Author
and Heckler & Koch saved each leaning in to the
other. The firearms manufacturer was weapon while
going through a tough financial time conducting a Combat
and the SA80 seemed to have no Marksmanship drill
reliable version in sight. H&K took up
re-manufacturing and made a number
with the L85A2.
of changes which culminated in the
As is evidenced
L85A2 and more recently upgrade by his stance, it
L85A3 versions of today. These are was very easy to
currently in use with all of the British get tight with the
Army, the Royal Marines and the weapon because of
RAF Regiment, with several variant its compactness;
offshoots such as shorter carbines, something very
single fire cadet rifles, and the heavy necessary while
barrel LSW as a squad support shooting offhand
weapon.
and while on the
One fact that a lot of people tend to
move. Because,
forget about the rifle is that it gave the unlike a kneeling
UK, which has an army to be reckoned or prone position
with, a service rifle with magnified where a shooter will
optical sights. Of course Austria had use bone support to
adopted the Steyr AUG with its optical build a foundation
sight in 1978 but the Austrian Army for the rifle to
doesn’t go to war all over the world. shoot from, in the
To put this in perspective, the US offhand standing the
Marine Corps didn’t begin fielding
optical sights until Operation IRAQI
foundation has to be
FREEDOM in 2003 and even that was
a tight hold on the
only to a Designated Marksman in a rifle to help steady the move, and from different yard The SA80 that I was able to shoot
rifle squad. The rest of the infantry had it for a shot. Notice lines within 36 yards. We did some was by all means a modern rifle, apart
to wait as late as 2005 to have the 4x the gear worn in incapacitation double tap drills as well. from the original SUSAT sight. Most
Trijicon ACOG; RCO (Rifle Combat the picture is the of the British Infantry that go outside
Optic) being the nomenclature used exact same set-up I shot two full magazines through the the wire are equipped with the Trijicon
in the Marines. The Army was on a that is taken out by SA80 and one magazine through the ACOG or an Elcan SPECTER sight but
Glock. Nothing too strenuous or torture the rear echelon soldiers have the old
similar schedule. Nowadays, almost a typical US Marine testing. This was due to the range and SUSAT. Apart from that, the rifle has a
every modern army has optical sights Infantryman in
on their service rifles, even some time constraints. In addition to me being full spectrum Picatinny rail system as
third world armies do as well. Then
Afghanistan [MV] a guest on Camp Bastion, conducting the handguard, a grip pod, and Magpul
of course there’s the whole bullpup something like 500 rounds or a water Emags are issued out en masse to the
configuration debate but that is 1: Every UK Forces test was certainly not permissible, Army.
beyond the scope of this article. Glock 17 is issued unlike the type of full review if I had the
with the Radar weapons on hand in a range back in the The sling is a thin green type that is
ON THE RANGE holster - the author States. But I was very grateful for this really only used in garrison. On patrol
The course of fire and the range highly rates it [BM] opportunity to learn about and try out a clips are issued and the rifle can be
were very simple, just some basic new weapon system, a rifle I had only clipped to an Osprey (British flak jacket)
observed or read about before. in other words making it a One Point
CMP drills; shooting from the prone, 2: SA80A2 fitted sling. The rifles on Bastion have a black
kneeling, and standing, while on with Trijicon ACOG The conduct of the range was finish but this is painted over with a light
1 sight with Shield professionally administered and very tan that stays on, rifles in-theatre for a
CQB sight atop plus well disciplined. This was done in a good period of time are seen with this
a polymer Emag subtle manner unlike many Marine starting to wear off.
[BM] ranges where conduct is strictly
controlled. Even though commands Being a bullpup layout, the rifle itself is
Images © were simple, safety was very much very compact, and its width is noticeably
Miles Vining paramount and at no time was an thin, compared to an M16/M4. This
collection, unsafe act allowed to continue. translated into me being able to get
Greg Roberts
or Bob Morrison 2

a very tight stance with the rifle. This
is great for offhand shooting, not to
mention urban operations. The tighter
I can be with a rifle, the more control
I can exert over its firing and effects
down range. This was especially
evident at the 36 yard (33 metres) line
I was shooting at. I cannot speak for
longer ranges as that was all the camp
range facilitated.
Using the SUSAT, the point of aim was

point of impact with the scope set on
the 300 metre Battle Sight Zero dial. To
adjust for further ranges, the user must
manipulate the dial to the correct yard
line. Adjustments go up to 800 metres
and there are peep-hole iron sights on
top of the scope. Also to gain proper
eye relief the shooter must place his
eye more or less on the scope. And
what of scope bite? On the SUSAT
there is a rubber fitting that prevents
any, with about an inch of rubber in
between the shooter and the actual
cast iron of the scope.
The grip pod (downgrip) was useful

but my personal opinion on the grip
pod is quite negative, nothing to do
with the SA80 but my own experience
with it as a Marine. It’s too large/bulky
as a grip and too fragile as a bipod.
It’s absolutely great if all you are doing
is gently setting the weapon on level
ground while you are attending to some
trivial matter. But using it as a legitimate
shooting support, in the rough and
unforgiving space of a live fire range
or in a gunfight, it is worthless and the
legs will eventually break. I have no idea different affair than an M16/M4. British where he is looking. Unlike our rifles Above: The author
what the rage is with these things in the doctrine dictates that the right hand where a shooter can complete most getting hands-on
AR market in the States. If you disagree, must always be on the pistol grip, a very operations without even breaking a with the L85A2.
you’re welcome to run a live fire range sound principle realising that we have cheek wield. Of course after much The simple green
with me and a support weapon, grip the same one but in using an M16/M4 training and familiarisation I’m sure
webbing sling is
pod mounted. In the meantime if having sometimes one must use his right hand I could get to a point where I could
a grip pod on your AR makes you for manipulation. Tilting the rifle to the manipulate the rifle fast enough to get
mostly used in
all the more prepared to fend off the right, the shooter inserts a magazine, it back up in the case of a stoppage garrison while
apocalypse then knock your socks off. then tilting it the opposite direction to the or empty magazine. combat troops use
left, the shooter then charges the rifle a simple clip that
Operating the SA80 is rather with the left hand on the cocking knob. A For immediate action procedures, I attaches on one
straightforward but a little awkward good tap is then required when the knob do prefer the British method over the end to the rear sling
for me, being very M16/M4 controls has gone fully forward, similar to tapping American. Since basic training many swivel and the other
minded. To chamber a round, the the forward assist on an M16/M4. servicemen have it drummed into end to their Osprey.
shooter must first insert the magazine. their heads the phrase ‘Tap, Rack, This makes a very
Being a Here is where I have an issue from Bang’ when dealing with a misfire. In
handy one point
bullpup, a tactical perspective. Most of this procedure terms, this means to tap
this is a requires the shooter to break his hold the bottom of the magazine with the
sling attachment
to the target, even if he is physically free hand, rack the charging handle while on patrol. The
looking at the target, the rifle to the rear, and then attempt to fire. British small arms
must be tilted this way and This is good apart from one often range on Bastion at
that and is not pointed omitted necessary step. A good which this is taking
PMI will always be sure to let you place was very
know that immediate action requires; well and thoroughly
The author has
some concerns
observe for feeding and ejecting, constructed, with
then move to ‘Tap, Rack, Bang’. proper shooting
about the issue
downgrip / bipod position markers and
The British procedure cuts right
but not the rifle to the chase; if encountering a
range markers all
itself [BM] stoppage, tilt the rifle to the left, over [MV]

Shooting the British Glock 17 was just like shooting any other Glock. In other
words, flawless reliability. The lanyard is swinging towards the target because of
the presentation of the pistol. The author’s grip on the pistol is more indicative of
an IPSC competition but that is because of the author’s experience shooting pistol
competitions in the United States. The left shoulder pocket is bulky because of the
required CAT tourniquet inside it, this is done by many Marine units in theatre [MV]
trigger. The trigger itself does not have super tactically outfitted and have a
a heavy pull, it is a two-stage military Magpul BAD lever of course. The rifle is
trigger with slack being about 2/3 of also only meant to be fired from the right
the way back. The issue for me was shoulder, with no modifications available
the reset time. A shooter has to almost for left handed shooters. Lefties have
release his finger the entire length of to adapt or have a horrible shooting
travel for the trigger to reset to the experience.
hammer in order to get off the next
shot. If you release it too soon, that GLOCK 17 GEN 4
next shot cannot be made until the Now that the SA80 is aptly described,
trigger is released all the way. Once I’ll move on to the 9x19mm Glock 17
again, with constant training this issue pistol. The Glock itself was simply a
will go away, but from a shooter’s standard Glock 17 acquired by the
perspective, looking at the rifle in MoD to replace the ageing Browning Hi
general, I find the trigger to be lacking. Power. This, along with the Sig Sauer
P226 is becoming the face of the British
Apart from this, the rifle functioned military’s sidearms. I’m not going to
great, no malfunctions whatsoever. expound on the Glock because its
When the bolt is locked to the rear reputation is world renowned, all the
after the last round, the charging knob readers probably know that and I’m not
can be visually seen
locked to the rear in the
retract the charging knob and observe Above: The Glock corner of the shooter’s
the chamber. This immediately forces 17 has an increased right eye. This was a
comfort compared to an
the shooter to confront the malfunction. magazine capacity M16/M4 where if you’re not carefully
It may just be an empty magazine or it of 17x 9mm rounds paying attention to the vibrations of
may be a double feed, but the point is
compared to the rifle, you can miss feeling the bolt
you are looking directly at the problem
instead of possibly making it worse by
the 12+1 of lock back after the last round. The bolt
executing ‘Tap, Rack, Bang’. its Browning locking levers are on both sides of the The Glock 17 Gen 4
predecessor weapon, very convenient compared to model was introduced
Firing the SA80 is just like any bullpup, [Courtesy Greg the M16/M4 where the release catch for frontline operational
the biggest problem from my view is the Roberts] is only on the left side. Unless you’re service in 2013 [BM]

wasting space beating a dead horse. is the most thoroughly issued out and Above: A side by is based on and founded upon. But as
used personally by those with Beretta’s side comparison of the saying goes ‘Not so fast….’. This
What I will cover is the operating signed out to. the author’s issued retention system is dependent on a
procedures and the holster. Also, the M4/M203 and British single swivel that locks the trigger guard
course of fire with a pistol involved Both holster systems are designed to into place, no other lock is present. The
a kneeling position which is different
L85A2. This L85A2
have rotating angles of draw and both swivel is also about the size of a quarter.
from the Marine Corps’ pistol course are made in sets with different cradles
was mostly used The holster is also very exposed with the
which is all standing positions. intended for thigh, hip, and chest/ at Bastion and thus muzzle portion completely open.
flak mounted carry. This is to facilitate doesn’t have the
In regards to the holsters and wearing the pistol in a garrison setting Elcan/Trijicon scope The Radar’s retention system is a two-
operating procedures, this is what I without body armour on. But if the or the Insight laser/ stage, the first is activated by the firing
found the most interesting. With the user dons his flak vest, he can easily light aiming module hand thumb to release the slide lock and
US Armed Forces and the M9 Beretta, transition his holster from a thigh/hip that an infantry- the second is operated by the trigger or
the safety conditions are set upon mount to a vest mounted one, as some issued L85A2 would middle finger to release the pistol itself.
the pistol, with magazine inserted,
Safety on, and round in the chamber;
prefer to have the handgun high up on have for outside Although slower initially, with training I’m
their chest while burdened down with sure the speed can be brought up to
all various safety measures. With a
the wire. Notice the
gear. This makes for drawing a handgun that of the SERPA. But what I like about
Safety-less Glock, the British have to in confined spaces such as in the
British issued Emag. the Radar is that it exposes the pistol
improvise. With a magazine inserted, turret of an American MRAP or British US Marines are very less and is a two stage retention system,
no round in the chamber, the pistol Foxhound more accessible. envious of their but most of all the pressure is more on
being in the holster is itself considered British counterparts the shooter’s middle finger. Instead with
a safety feature. Once drawn, the The difference between these two because the USMC the SERPA all the pressure is on the
pistol has now been raised to an locking systems is quite noticeable; the recently made it trigger finger during the draw. From a
elevated safety level, racking the slide Radar is much more robust than the against regulations safety perspective this is perfect; I can
brings it to the final condition before SERPA. The Radar’s locking cradle is to use any polymer draw the Radar all day without worrying
firing. Inserting the pistol back in the
holster brings the condition back
permanently attached to the mount, and magazine while about an ND happening but although
the holster locks in via a built-up circular the SERPA is quick, the retention isn’t
down.
in-theatre so we
device. The SERPA on the other hand, as good and the chances of a novice
is held in place by two rotating pieces
have to contend blasting chunks of ground is somewhat
The holster in use is certainly a wise of plastic in its cradle. The cradle is with issued steel plausible. I believe a few YouTube videos
pick in my opinion. When the MoD secured to the mount via three Phillips or aluminium have even been posted about negligent
adopted the Glock 17 it also adopted head screws. For robustness the Radar magazines for our discharges with the SERPA.
the Radar 1957 Level 3 holster set takes the lead. rifles [MV]
as well. This is a small company At the conclusion of the shoot, I was
that has its product made in Italy. In In retention though, SERPA is a lot 3: The author highly extremely satisfied having gained
comparison to the US equivalent, the
Black Hawk! SERPA, I think the Radar
faster in drawing, it already has a good rates the Glock 17 valuable experience shooting a
offers some distinct advantages.

reputation and that is primarily what it and C&S has yet to NATO country’s weapons. I was very
thankful for the opportunity. But, more
Before I delve into the differences, let
3 hear a bad word said
importantly, I had learned about how
it be known that the UK also issues of it [BM] another military operates, because the
SERPA holsters but only for soldiers second you stop learning is the second
issued the Sig Sauer P226. Also, you start dying.
if readers are wondering why I am
choosing to compare the Radar to Footnote: Miles Vining is a US Marine
Black Hawk! specifically, and not who has undertaken two operational
Safariland rigs or other holsters in use, tours in Afghanistan as a Marine
it is because service-wide the SERPA Infantryman over the last four years.

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This one, as the
sub-title states,
is aimed at the
‘shelter-in-place
preppers’ and
owners of home-
built survival
bunkers. In case
you are unaware,
‘preppers’ are those people who are
preparing themselves for the possibility of
nuclear holocaust, an outbreak of global
pandemic disease, a meteor strike turning
The plethora of natural disasters the climate upside-down, invasion by
around the world in recent malevolent aliens life forces, the arrival
years or, to be more precise, of Judgement Day and pretty much any
the increased global media Written by the author of Emergency disaster short of an attack by flesh-
coverage of types of event Air, this is actually his personal story eating zombies who have escaped from
which have occurred over time of how back in the 1990s, following video games ... though no doubt someone
immemorial, has prompted the redundancy, he and his wife left
the densely populated eastern side
somewhere is prepping for the zombie
publishing world to either dust
of the United States and moved to eventuality too.
off any relevant titles in their
Arizona in an old school bus with
warehouses or commission
a surplus army tent aboard on a Joking aside, and I say this as someone who qualified
updated versions. On these journey to self-sufficiency. In due
pages we are taking a brief look as a ventilation and air-conditioning technician in an
course they built a rustic cabin,
at a clutch of US titles which earlier life phase, providing clean air for breathing is
home-schooled their boys and and
have turned up in the C&S lived ‘off-grid’ for seventeen years actually an essential in many survivalist situations as,
offices over the last few months just as humans can only survive for a few days without
Packed with solid advice from one who has water, we can only survive for a matter of minutes
and which I have now found the ‘walked the walk’, this 156-page paperback
time to read through. without air. This handy little 120-page paperback
is a mine of useful information and I found it
explains this and then tells us how we can improvise
hard to put down once started. It might not be
The 200+ page, coffee table sized Self- to ensure our survival chamber has enough breathable
as easy to live off-grid in the over-populated
Reliance During Natural Disasters And air to last as long as our water and food supplies. Very
UK as it is in parts of the US, so this book may
Civil Unrest falls squarely in the revised & not be a blueprint for anyone trying to live ‘The
interesting.
updated category as it was first published Good Life’ in 21st Century Britain, but it will give
readers plenty to think about. Another Paladin
Press title imported by Casemate, this one has Also published in the States by Paladin, this one has a
in 2007 and then reprinted in 2011.
Although aimed fairly and squarely at the a £16 cover price. recommended retail price of £10
First Responder in the United States, a
country which is so large that even the
mainland states (excluding Alaska) fall
over four international time zones and
where many communities need to be
self-reliant as help from neighbouring
The fourth of five Paladin Press titles available in
communities can be a long drive away,
the UK through Casemate which we are looking
the basics it covers are relevant just
at this month, this one is probably the most
about everywhere.
pertinent for British readers. Although written for
the American market, with the exception of the
Broken down into ten chapters, this title
Guns On A Budget chapter pretty much everything
explores the civilian aspects of: Disaster
else covered is relevant to those on this side of
Firefighting; Controlling Utilities; Salvage
The Pond who are preparing to survive in the event
& Decontamination; Search & Rescue;
of a natural, or man-made, disaster suddenly
Vehicle Rescue & Firefighting; Wildland
overturning their lives.
Fires; First Aid & Transporting Injured;
and Staying In Touch. The last two You may have read a fair bit on the subjects this title covers in past
chapters are on issues needing special issues of C&S, but being in book format the author has been able
consideration and putting together to expand on them in a way that our feature writers cannot when
everything learned. Although published only given a few brief pages. However being in book format it does
in the US by Paladin Press, this title is rely more on words than on illustrations. With a recommended
distributed by Casemate in the UK with a retail price of £22, possibly only the serious ‘prepper’, rather than
cover price of £28. the Shoestring Survivalist, may be interested in this one.

At first glance this one
might not look as if it
falls into this month’s
‘Surviving Natural
Disasters’ theme, but
in a way it does as
insects are pretty much
the one source of food
you can find anywhere
on the planet. Even in
deserts regions, where
vegetation can be
sparse or non-existent,
you will still find bugs
of one sort or another if
you know where to look.
This book could help you determine if they are edible or
not ... and that includes cockroaches which, according to
some, might even survive a nuclear holocaust!
According to the author there are 1462 recorded species of edible insects,
including 235 species of butterflies and moths, 344 species of beetles,
313 species of ants, bees and wasps, and 239 of grasshoppers, crickets
and cockroaches. Food for thought?
Although only 60 pages thick this paperback from Paladin Press, available
from Casemate in the UK, is a very interesting and informative read. Listed
UK price is £12. I cannot say that I found the thought of eating most of
these creatures particularly appetising, especially as where shellfish is
concerned I draw the line at the occasional tandoori king prawn, but I am
glad that I read this book as it is an area I have not delved too deeply into
in the past.
And finally, going off-

topic with this last one,
our old friends at Military
Pocket Book Ltd. have
not only reprinted their
excellent and popular
Sniper Pocket Book after
just two years but they
have also included colour
illustrations this time.
Changes, other than the
addition of colour, are minuscule but as the original got
it pretty much spot-on first time there was no need for a
major rework. Externally, the only difference is [Colour
Edition] at the bottom right of the cover.
Written and illustrated by Frank Fletcher and Rupert Godesen, this really
is a mini-bible for sharpshooters and snipers, but any military or game
shooter should find it very useful, as should every infantryman even
if sharpshooting is not their speciality. Complete with a useful plastic
weather cover, this one is small enough to fit in your jeans or inside jacket
pocket allowing you to read up on the subject even when off-duty. Also if
you buy the book through the milpkbk.co.uk website the publishers
will give you access to an app version too! Recommended.
Whenever possible
we taste test the
ration packs we
cover - this is Dutch
Meatballs & Spinach
heated over the new
Zip tablet on a Zip
stove
M
odern combat ration
main courses, with the
It has been said a million 1: An old standard exception of freeze-dried
times before, and it is very issue hexamine components intended for
doubtful that Napoleon tablet and pressed Arctic use, are usually prepared
Bonaparte was the first to say metal stove - hexi in such a way that they can be
it, but an army really does fumes are noxious eaten cold but to derive maximum
march on its stomach. On nutritional and morale benefit it 3
so the heater cannot
the modern battlefield there is recommended that they are
be used in confined heated before consumption.
is even less chance of living
off the land in the way that
spaces Since WWII the standard method
Napoleon’s troop’s opponents used by many armies for heating
were often expected to do, so 2: Fire Dragon, rations has been the hexamine
the individual combat ration which was invented (hexamethylenetetramine) solid
pack is an essential part of in Wales by BCB, fuel tablet, usually issued with a
the kit carried by almost every is now widely simple pressed metal disposable
frontline soldier today, be that available in both gel stove, though over the last twenty
in or on his vehicle or in his form for civvy use or so years the Flameless Ration
pack and webbing. and as solid tablets Heater has been issued in US MRE be used outdoors or in a very well
1 for military uses rations and adopted by some other ventilated space, plus ingestion
nations. of the fuel can cause nausea and
3: The BCB Crusader even organ damage, a search has
Cooker and Crusader In their day hexamine fuel tablets been on for alternatives for quite
Cup - the foil topped provided a workable solution to some time. Over the last couple
tub to the right the problem of reheating military of years two British companies,
contains the fuel rations in the field, but as the BCB International of Cardiff
which is non-toxic poisonous chemical formaldehyde and Standard Brands (Zip) of
and can be used as a is one of the ingredients the fumes Leatherhead, have been keeping
hand cleaner too given off during combustion are C&S abreast of developments
noxious, meaning this fuel can only in non-hexamine fuel tablets

The bubbles are visible
proof that the Fire
Dragon tablet is able
to bring water up to
boiling point quite
easily
5
A Dutch ration retort

pouch being heated
in the Crusader
Cup over a Fire
Dragon tablet in the
Crusader Cooker
4 4: Fire Dragon left
little residue in
the cooker - the
charcoal stick is the
match used to light
it - and there was
no soot build-up on
the base of the cup
after heating
5: The new Zip by putting a lit match to the wrapper 6

tablets look similar but as they are more like hexi tablets
developed for both the military they can be burned on any flat
and outdoor markets. Since the
to hexamine - to the
left of the tablet is fireproof surface including rock and
summer of 2013 we have been soil.
testing these in various (non- a Boilex All-In-One
laboratory and non-scientific) emergency aircrew
stove and to the When FireDragon was officially
conditions to get a feel for how launched at the DSEi military expo
they work. right is the Boilex
in London last autumn Dr Stephen
Hinged Stove
Hughes, BCB International’s
Both companies have approached Chief Chemist, stated: “Hexamine
the problem from a slightly 6: Assembled is a potentially dangerous and
different direction, with BCB pentagonal Zip outdated substance; burning it can 7
(FireDragon) developing tubs of Boilex Hinged Stove give off cyanide. Soldiers are out
denatured ethanol with polymer with Zip MCF tablet there protecting our security but
solidifier and Zip (Military in its wrapper they need protecting themselves
Cooking Fuel) developing more from preventable contact with
conventionally shaped tablets 7: To successfully toxic materials which can have a
of naturally derived methyl light the Zip MCF detrimental impact on their health
decanoate. FireDragon tablets tablet ignite the and well-being.
(the company also produces combustible
the fuel in gel form in bottles) wrapper not the fuel “That’s why we teamed up with world
ignite very easily once out of leading experts at Cardiff University’s
their foil-topped tub and liquefy Images © Chemistry Department to formulate
as they burn, so they need to be Bob Morrison and develop the FireDragon fuel
contained in a receptacle. Zip which will help soldiers cook their
MCF tablets, which are solid and rations quickly, safeguard their
individually wrapped, are ignited health, protect the environment as

8 9 10
well as help militaries reduce their 8: The Zip MCF burns 11 12

logistics and medical costs. As it with an intense flame
is non-toxic, unlike hexamine the and leaves a heavy
FireDragon fuel can be packed soot deposit
with rations. Another benefit about
the fuel is that when required, it 9: The Crusader II
can double as a waterless hand Cup and Cooker are
sanitizer – helping reduce the designed to nest
number of soldiers suffering from around a standard
dysentery which has blighted water bottle
troops for generations.”
In their publicity material for their 10: This issue MTP
Military Cooking Fuel tablets water bottle pouch
Standard Brands state: “Zip’s will hold both the
unique formulation is made using Crusader II Cup and
naturally derived, fully sustainable Cooker too
biofuel. It is non-toxic and poses 13
little threat to humans or animals 11: The Flameless
either when burning or if ingested Ration Heater
accidentally. It burns cleanly requires a small
and has a high calorific value amount of water to
when compared to conventional activate a chemical
hydrocarbon fuels. reaction - this water
cannot be drunk
“The fuel ignites extremely quickly afterwards and needs
and easily, far more so than to be safely disposed
hexamine. It can be used both of along with the
indoors (with adequate ventilation) outer bag and the state that in given conditions one be reversed as a stand for either
and outdoors, and burns cleanly, toxic chemical pad it tablet should bring half a litre of a canteen cup or a larger mess
unlike hexamine which releases contains water to the boil in under eight tin, and they have also designed
toxic hydrogen cyanide when
minutes. The companies have (primarily for downed pilots) a
burning. The fuel is covered with 12: The Zip Boilex also produced portable cookers simple aluminium foil fold-out cup
an ignition wrapper, which also All-In-One aluminium to support a boiling vessel above under which an MCF tablet can be
ensures the product is odourless stove with Zip MCF their fuel. BCB’s popular Crusader placed to boil water.
and waterproof. The solid tablet heating water Cooker has been modified into a
cubes provide the soldier with a
Mk.II version with a small pot in the Our initial impressions on these
lightweight and convenient format
13: This French bottom into which the fuel tablet fuels are favourable but we see
to carry and store.”
folding hexamine can be popped to give optimum disadvantages in both, though
tablet stove is also combustion conditions. Zip have each is clearly better than a
Both manufacturers claim that
issued to many produced the pentagon-shaped hexi tablet. If asked to choose,
their products meet or exceed
armies as a rations Boilex Hinged Stove which is a FireDragon tablets would probably
UK MoD requirements which
heater simple fold-flat design that can get our vote.

Garments from the
SURPLUS Raw Vintage
W
clothing line look like e sourced this pair for Lottie These trousers are
they should be military to wear on a photo assign-
but are actually fashion
the smallest in the
ment to the Torcal Natural range, being UK Size
items, though this is not Park - think Dartmoor Tors
necessarily a bad thing 8 with 72cm waist,
with incessant sunshine, abundant
as the German company ibex and rare imperial eagles - from
but waistband sizes
behind them has been in the Becketts Adventure online store
increase in 4cm
the business a long time (ArmynNavy.com). As she is tall and increments (through
and has a reputation for
slim with long legs the type of combat- M, L & XL) to 84cm
sourcing good quality
style ‘lightweights’ closest to her size or UK14 with the
clothing. These 100% XXL or UK16 version
available in the average outdoor chain
cotton heavyweight being 88cm - there is
store would hang on her like a sack
olive green combat-style
trousers are made in China at half mast but as these trousers are a cargo pocket with
but, unlike most of the specifically designed for the female cover flap on each
thin lightweight Chinese- form, cut low at the waist with around thigh
produced combat trousers a 34-inch inside leg measurement
found on just about every they are a much better fit yet still give
High Street, tailoring plenty of room for outdoor climbing
quality is very good and and clambering as well as being highly
they are very hard-wearing, durable.
but they will not make a
massive hole in your wallet. Starting at the top, the lined

Photos on this
page show
waistband, belt
loop, pocket
and front fly
details - the
lightweight arid
theatre boots
Lottie was
wearing with
waistband, which has a feminine
the trousers
floral pattern backing, has two
sturdy pairs of button fastenings
are the new
(internal and external) at the top of HAIX Desert
the brass zipped fly and the five Eagle Mid model
deep belt loops are heavy duty. first spotted at
The front flat-sewn patch pockets Eurosatory in
have slanted rounded cover flaps June
with single button fastening and
the two rear hip pockets also have gives higher protection from wind
buttoned cover flaps. On each thigh and sun as well as being more
Model: Lottie
there is a reasonably capacious full showerproof.
bellows cargo pocket with pleated Images ©
front expansion panel and similar Changing tack. The keen-eyed Bob Morrison :
cover flap to the other pockets. The might have spotted that Lottie is also Military Scene
hems are plain. all stitching, with the wearing a new style of lightweight
exception of waistband and pocket boot with these trousers. This is the
flaps, is doubled. Desert Eagle Mid (as in mid-height)
from HAIX and we will come back to
As these trousers are tailored from it in a future issue. We first spotted
a heavyweight 100% cotton canvas these boots at EuroSatory in Paris,
fabric they are naturally not as light where their military sales team also
as most of the cheaper, thin mass showed us a couple of innovations
market combats and if soaked they introduced as part of a recent major
will not dry out quite as quickly, contract. My own trials pair should
but on the other hand they protect be with me shortly plus I have a
the legs much better from thistles, visit to the factory pencilled in for
camel thorn and other arid region the autumn, so watch this space for
vegetation plus the close weave more.

2 4
5.11 like to see these shoes Main Image: The

as part of a ‘training kit’ Recons seen here
which includes Shorts/Top/ ‘chillin’ in a cable car
Socks but I took them on a while I look out on
recent trip and they were the Jungfrau
just so comfortable they
were more or less the only
shoes I wore, so they will
1: The Recon trainers
come with me again on my have a lot of features
next trip. They are light and and, as they say on
the side, are even The stormproof floating
airy and oh so comfortable.
lighter clearly has its benefits.
‘rope ready” - there is
I
Floating is perhaps not a thing
have to say 5.11 do produce a good level of impact you often need a lighter to do
comfortable footwear. These train- absorbency in the but, turning this around, its
ers are light, robust, grippy and, heels 3
design means it is waterproof
especially if in warm dry condi-
and I could not get water into it
tions, are really good to wear for all 2: I used these for by floating it or holding it under
sorts of uses and not just training. bike riding and walks a tap.
Recommended.
on fine days in the
W
1 Alps and for driving - hen living outdoors we all need
they were ideal a reliable source of fire and this
one has worked for me. It can
3: The powerful flame be used both in its watertight
ignites easily and is container or out, which can be more
kind on the fingers, handy for some uses. The lighter is
sealed into the container by O-ring so
unlike some
is both watertight and secure. It can be
refilled by the usual gas refill.

Product - UK Contact: 5.11/Tactical UST/Whitby & Co Biolite/Whitby & Co
Telephone/Web: 0046 4046 7388/511tactical.com 01539 721 032/whitbyandco.co.uk 01539 721 032/whitbyandco.co.uk
5 6
I
Some while back I t is surprising how much heat
covered the Biolite Stove you can get from a few sticks
and I must say at first I and with the grill fitted to the
4: It definitely was a bit of a sceptic on Biolite you can barbecue some
floats! Perhaps not this concept. I was wrong! meat as well as boil the kettle or
a convincing shot It works and works well heat a pan, not to mention charg-
but you try taking a and I will cover it again ing up your mobile phone all at
picture of a floating in depth in due course once. Very fuel efficient and it’s
lighter in the sea or as my son is currently free. A bonus.
on a river using it as the principal
WE HAVE JUST TAKEN cooker on his Danube The only warning here is to
canoe expedition so a lot beware of the type of wood you
THIS ON AN EXPEDITION 5: The Pico LED
of firsthand experience use as it will have an effect on
WHERE WE MOVED A LOT, Lantern is a handy will come back on this taste of the likes of bacon. The
TRAVELLED MILES AND item to have for tent one. However, the Biolite grill certainly makes the Biolite a
CHANGED CAMP NIGHTLY or more general use. Grill proved to be a bit whole lot more versatile for that
SO OUR GEAR WAS
bulky for his trip so I am outside meal, be it at home or on
PACKED, UNPACKED AND 6: All new and shiny covering this separately. a backwoods trip.
REPACKED AND HUMPED the grill packs away
AND HAULED. THIS 8
quite compact but
LANTERN STOOD THE PACE is still reasonably
WELL. large so not really a
backpack item
I
used it as a base light for our
tent but it also works well as a
7: With the fire
general camp light or cooking
going the heat is
area light and so on. It gives a
diverted under the
good light on two levels and also
grill but you can
flashes SOS if needs be. A single
press button makes operation easy
still add fuel as
and simple to find in the dark. A
required
good thing. It has a very long burn
time, according to use, and is pow-
8: Using the Biolite
ered by 4 AA batteries. It is also
Grill you can
water resistant and slip resistant, barbecue some meat
rubbed coated where it matters, as well as boil the
and can be hung by its own folding kettle or heat a pan
handle or on the base by another
recessed hook. Neat and handy.

Product - UK Contact: Snugpak/Snugpak Grangers/Grangers International
Telephone/Web: 01535 654 479/snugpak.com 01773 521 521/grangers.co.uk
9: The TravelPak Sleeping Bags are what Snugpak do, and do

2 complete with well. They produce a very extensive range to
cater from ultralite warm climates through to
stuff sack and big and cosy bags for very cold climates.
mossie net
T
he TravelPak range comprises four categories with the
10: Note the 2-suffix being middle of this range with a recommended
attached mossie/ usage range down to -3C extreme or +2C comfort. At
just over the 1 kilogramme it is not heavy and compress-
bug net - handy es to a good small size in its supplied compression sack. An
10
to have in those add-on for this is the built-in mossie/bug net. With this, if the
areas where needs arises, you can zip it over the aperture to keep those
insects are a pesky biters out while you rest inside.
problem The Travel Pack also has anti-bacterial treatment which
is a good thing for longer trips. Jean used this on our
Images © recent European trip in support of my son’s Danube canoe
or via expedition. The weather was up and down, to say the least,
Mike Gormley albeit us being in ‘summer’ and Jean found the temp range
of this to be ideal, if perhaps on the bottom line a couple of
times. The mossie net was not required for real, even though
we were often camped near the river, and although a good
idea Jean thought it would be better to be able to remove it
completely if not in use as does tend to get in the way a bit.
All in all, another good bag product from Snugpak and this
one will be off to do the Tour de Mont Blanc in a few days.
11
Grangers is a well known and respected name 11: Granger’s 30

in the area of cleaning and protection of kit. I Degrees Down
must say I do like to care for my gear; I expect Cleaner, Fabsil
a lot from it and it is not cheap, and that’s for
Waterproofer,
sure, so it is well worth a few £s to keep it
working as it should and to help it last.
Clothing
Performance Cleaner,
I
always try to give my boots a clean and proof session be- 2 IN 1 Cleaner &
fore a trip, hence getting out the Footwear Proofer to give Proofer, G-Max
my footwear a spruce-up before heading off to the Alps. Universal Footwear Footwear Proofer
As can be seen in the photo Grangers have a product for Proofer which has just
most things and in my experience they work and in particular given my beloved
are easy to use. Leather boots, for example, respond really Alt-Berg Yan Tans a
well to the leather treatment wax (not shown here) keeping re-proof
them supple, well proofed and looking good as well.

Security Industry
(OPTIMALRISK.COM) IS A FORMER BRITISH ARMY ATO AND IEDD/

The news this month has protecting its pro-Russian neighbours. unlikely to be fired by rebel forces
WIS OPERATOR TURNED EOD THREAT AND COUNTER-IED TRAINER

been full of security issues, without training. Since the system
including the ongoing To prevent the Ukrainians taking the was thought to be only delivered
campaign by Israel against ground back easily the Russians have across the border on the day of the
Palestinian terrorists, but the been supplying the rebels with training, firing, it is unlikely that the Russian
ROBERT SHAW OF OPTIMAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD.

latest at time of penning this vehicles, small arms and ammunition. crew had had time to train any
column is the shooting down The one thing the DPR insurgents insurgents on it and therefore once
IMAGE © BOB MORRISON : MILITARY SCENE

of Malaysia Airlines flight don’t have is airpower, which would informed of a potential target were
MH17; over an eight square mean that the Ukrainian forces have ordered to fire it themselves by a
mile area near Grabovo in a tactical advantage. So, to negate DPR separatist commander.
the Eastern Ukraine with the this advantage, the Russians have first
loss of 298 people, including supplied MANPADS which have been The DPR initially surprised the
80 children. The images of used to shoot down helicopters and Ukrainians by using this type of
the burnt wreckage, bodies close air support aircraft. Since the system to shoot down a transport
finally being recovered and Ukrainians can still move their forces aircraft previously, which is why
personal effects strewn around the area occupied by the DPR having identified the threat Western
AND CONSULTANT.
across fields and villages insurgents, using transport aircraft airlines were warned and some
has angered Western flying at a greater height, the insurgents of them diverted flight paths. The
governments (especially the are thought to have received the 9K37 Ukrainian air traffic control also
eleven countries with citizens Buk (Beech) M1/M2 missile launcher warned airlines to fly at higher
on board) with blame for the and associated tracked radar, which altitude to reduce the risk, though
act being levelled at Russia’s is a vehicle-mounted system used no one would have thought that
Vladimir Putin, but there to provide umbrella coverage over the separatists would target a civil
are also calls of deception airspace under which an armoured airliner.
and fingers pointed back at force operates. This, then,
the Ukrainians and even the would make sense of the Despite the face of ruthless
airline itself for not diverting reports that as well as efficiency that forces like to project,
the flight. So why was it shot the Buk system they are all made up of human
down and who is to blame? there have beings who are fallible and make
been tanks mistakes. Mistakes are also more
T
he area in which the airliner was and APCs common in conflict due to friction
brought down is in Ukraine. How- supplied to and fog of war. It would seem
ever the region is under control of the rebels. that the alleged Russian crew
pro-Russian separatists that are thought they had identified a
determined to become part of Russia Giving the Ukrainian military transport
and are defending it robustly against rebels small plane and destroyed it
Ukrainian forces. The pro-Russian arms and ammunition, in a case of mistaken
nationalists, from the self-proclaimed even MANPADS, is a identity. This has been
Donetsk People’s Republic or DPR, whole different game to giving borne out by the intercept
complain that they don’t want to be terrorists a theatre air defence of communications between
part of Ukraine and that their rights system like Buk (which can the Russian-speaking crew,
are violated, despite the fact that the shoot down commercial airliners) the separatist commander and
country holds free elections and that and armoured vehicles and is the team that investigated the crash
the minority Russians who live there altogether far more serious and site to find bodies of women and
are freer than they are in Russia. The could seriously rebound on children rather than the soldiers and
Ukrainian forces could, of course, take Russia. Even worse is the fact weapons they had been expecting.
the contested area back but are being that it might not even have been
cautious as they don’t want to cause rebel forces firing the missile itself So what happens now? Any effort to
excessive collateral damage and hand but actually Russian military as it’s bring the Russians
Russia an excuse to invade based on a fairly complicated system and to justice through
legal means will
FLIGHT MH17
of course be
undermined by
the very Western
leaders who
rely on Russian
State Terror or
energy and live
next to them. They will be
very cautious about any Russian
reaction, especially as Western
Tragic Mistake?
governments have a history of
leaving friendly populations to
aggression by fascist or communist
forces despite any treaty to help
defend them. In being weak though,
- By Robert Shaw we risk history repeating itself as we
have already seen with Georgia in
2008.

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1 2
When UK distributors Heinnie 1: There are sleeping

Haynes (heinnie.com) asked roll straps on the
me if I would be interested bottom of the pack
in trying out the Re-Storm and PALS tapes too
24-hour rucksack from
- note the drainage
Greek company Pentagon
S.A. and showed me sales
eyelets
photos I presumed that their
PentaCamo pattern was a 2: Removable
copy of MultiCam. Wrong! stiffening board
On closer inspection this slips into a pouch
interesting camouflage turns on the inner face of
out to be more like a blend of the back - there are
MultiCam and Lizard Pattern straps and clips for
elements skilfully crafted for a bladder in the rear
the type of Mediterranean
compartment
terrain in which the
Greek Armed Forces are
accustomed to operating. Right: When I used
Indeed there are even reports the Re-Storm as
that some elite Greek units a camera daysack
have been testing this as on a recent trip to
an alternative to pixellated photograph castles
Lizard Pattern. in Andalucia I was
surprised by how
well the camo
blended into various
backgrounds
Left: Upper front
compartment has
two-way zip and a
zipped mesh internal
pocket
Images ©
Bob Morrison :
Military Scene

3 4 5
6 3: Not Bugs Bunny - here 7

I have unclipped the
shoulder straps to better
show the padding on the
back and the straps
4: Shoulder straps are
contoured and padded
with D-rings, PALS
tapes and quick-release
buckles
5: Main compartment
has large mesh sack 8
pocket at the rear
plus two zipped mesh
pockets on the front flap
6: MTP bergen cover to
the left and MultiCam
rucksack to the right
I
took the Re-Storm with me as a SLR cameras with zoom lenses (one shows how much lighter
camera bag and daysack on on camera was playing up so I took a PentaCamo is than the
a recent research and photogra- back-up) plus a bridge camera, in other two camo patterns 9
phy trip to Andalucia in Southern the main compartment; chargers
Spain, where I visited a number of with spare lithium batteries and 7: There are plenty of
Arab castles and the Torcal Natural ancillaries plus sat-nav, in the lower PALS tapes for strapping
Park, and was impressed by how it front compartment; a book, road on pouches - this one is
both blended into the arid scrubby maps and travel documents etc.,
British-issue MTP and
terrain and did not stand out unduly in the upper compartment; and my
illustrates well how
when resting against stonework. prescription sunglasses in the pocket
PentaCamo is much
Indeed I reckon Lottie, who was as- lighter than MTP or
set into the top.
sisting me, must have been getting a MultiCam
bit fed up with me repeatedly asking In addition to the obvious zipped 8: Lower front
“Did you see where I put down my compartments, there are also four compartment also has
camera bag?” as I kept losing it useful zipped mesh internal organiser two-way zip and zipped
when shooting in Torcal. pockets plus there is a full depth mesh internal pocket
open-topped mesh pocket on the
As for the bag itself, which when back of the main compartment. 9: There is a handy
full but not over-packed measures The bladder can either be carried fleece-lined zipped
roughly 480x400x200mm so fits in its own rear zipped compartment pocket in the top face
inside even the slightly reduced or in the main compartment mesh into which you can slip
volume EasyJet carry-on baggage pocket, with the drinking tube being your EyePro - or in this face and sides, to which MOLLE-type
gauge, I found it made an excellent threaded out through ports either case my prescription pouches can be added, and two pairs
daysack for carrying: laptop, in the side of the top handle. There are sunglasses case of compression straps are fitted. A very
rear bladder compartment; three light stone PALS straps on the outer useful daysack.

Jason, our Survival
Writer, is forever
telling us to wear a
suitable hat when out
under strong sunlight
as heatstroke can be
a killer
Even a full-size pistol

like this CZ-75 (this
is a replica) can be
comfortably carried inside
the Velcro-fastened
concealed under-bust
holster
1 2
If those of you who were ence book How To Survive Out- 1: The Holster Shirt’s
in the UK in early July cast doors) to have taken the message design is intended both to
your minds back you will on board. So when Heinnie Hay- be close-fitting so that it
remember that spell of nes sent us the A.D. (After Duty) looks like a T-shirt when
tucked into trousers and
very warm weather caused Australian Bush Hat, produced to spread the weight of a
by what the Met office by Greek company Pentagon, it concealed pistol etc.
forecasters described as seemed a sensible item of kit to
a ‘Spanish plume’ which take down to Andalucia. 2: Although primarily and security personnel who need
reached up towards us designed to discreetly to carry a concealed firearm, but
over the Continent and the With a retail price of just £4.95 this conceal a pistol and covert it is also a very useful garment for
radio or even handcuffs the
Bay of Biscay. This mass simple 100% cotton bush hat is female traveller can use travellers (such as backpackers
of hot air was actually not going to break the bank yet it this comfortable undershirt and gap year students, or even
generated in North Africa does precisely what it needs to do to conceal passport and festival goers) who need concealed
and when Lottie and I were in both protecting the head from money etc. pockets to safely carry passport
shooting on the Costa the sun and shading the eyes with and cash under a shirt or jacket
3: If required the brim at
Tropical, south of Granada, its wide brim. Available in Olive either side, or both, can be without attracting attention.
and in the Torcal Natural or Beige in sizes S, M and L (XL pinned up in Aussie fashion
Park, north of Malaga, we is out of stock at time of writing) using a simple press stud - Manufactured from a polyester/
too experienced very hot this hat has a reinforced brim the crown also has eyelets spandex blend this stretchy
weather in excess of 35C which can be pinned up either or for venting garment is like a long vest to which
which the Spanish called a both sides with a simple press Model: Lottie two deep padded under-bust and
‘Sahara plume’. stud fastener and the crown is underarm pockets are stitched.
Images © Bob Morrison :
W
ventilated with two eyelets each A yoke and reinforcing spreads
hen working in high Military Scene
side. Lottie took this out to Spain the weight, though if carrying a
temperatures under a in plastic bag inside her suitcase heavy pistol on one side it might
3
cloudless sky not only is it and despite it getting a bit be advantageous to balance this
necessary to apply a very scrunched up it was still perfectly with spare magazines or a radio
high protection factor sunscreen presentable for casual wear. in the opposite pocket. Simple
but it is also important to wear a Velcro pads hold the pocket closed
hat to prevent sunstroke. This, of Turning now to the Women’s but with only a little practice one
course, is our Survival Writer Jason Holster Shirt from 5.11, also can speedily retrieve the pistol in
Polley’s area of expertise but I supplied by Heinnie Haynes one simple move. If worn under a
have read enough of his articles (available online through Heinnie. loose open fronted shirt or jacket,
on heatstroke and heat exhaustion com), this is intended primarily for this garment really does discreetly
(not to mention his excellent refer- female law enforcement officers conceal a pistol.


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Editor: Bob Morrison

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P64 Outdoor TRIED & TESTED P50

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is shelling the valley. A HMMWV fitted 1: During the exercise

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participating nations to get used to Main Image: French

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US troops from the

ethnic tension and economic difficulties Multiple Integrated Laser Equipment

formed by the Austrian and Bulgarian

forces, supported by some elements

of the US Army National Guard who

were also taking part in the exercise.

The Opposing Forces, which also

included irregular forces, were jointly

provided by the 1st Battalion of the 4th

Infantry Regiment, and the Romanian

armoured battlegroup. The remaining

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An MV-22B Osprey flies over a landing beach - this Abrams tank

enjoyed exclusive opportunities Exercise SSANG YONG is an annual Top image: An 2

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Aviation Combat Element (ACE). battalion, fires high-

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vessels as part of the Military Sealift including on the Korean Peninsula. US 5

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From our perspective, the primary 3: The Slovakian Team

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4: The elite Iraqi Special with them in the evenings they

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3 The nickname ‘Bizonul’ was assigned to

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6 The driver is seated in a belt-harness 8

system that features a total of twenty

front of the turret offers additional

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1: Glacis plate and front skirt - frontal armour is 200mm thick

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15 16 8: Engine cooling grilles

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/combatandsurvival @CombatSurvival +CombatAndSurvivalOnline

Dehydration is often associated in our

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Dehydration become impaired and you make

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