Naval gunfire experts have spent a week jumping into the Mediterranean to practise parachuting into war zones.
The forward observers and liaison officers, who directed the guns of the Fleet during last year’s Libyan campaign, leapt into the waters off Gibraltar.
Pictures: Cpl Al Crowe RAF, BFHQ Gibraltar
DROPPING into the Mediterranean in the shadow of the Rock, these are the troops who direct the guns of the Fleet.
Personnel from 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery Royal Artillery and Naval Gunfire Liaison Officers have completed a week’s parachute training in Gibraltar to hone their jumping skills.
The specialist troops are required to direct and co-ordinate the barrages from the guns of the Fleet – or NATO warships – anywhere in the world, jumping by day or night, carrying equipment.
It was thanks to them that more than 550 rounds of high explosive shells crashed down with pinpoint accuracy on to Colonel Gaddafi’s military machine during last year’s civil war in Libya.
A forward observer and kit descend towards the Med
The experts could have been parachuted into the Med to be picked up by HMS Liverpool, Iron Duke or Sutherland (which all fired their guns in anger) – but as it was, they didn’t.
But it’s a skill which needs to be maintained, so 20 personnel from the battle-proven formation spent five days climbing into the back of an RAF Hercules… and then jumping out of it on Exercise Medsplash.
They joined members of Fleet Diving Unit 1 and the Submarine Parachute Assistance Group – the latter, commonly known as SPAG, are at six hours’ to go anywhere in the world to leap into the ocean to help stricken submariners.
For the 148 Battery troops, Medsplash gave experienced observers the chance to refresh their parachuting skills – and for NGLO rookies (who are actually Territorial Army reservists, commando trained and employed by the Navy) the opportunity to complete the five requisite jumps to qualify.
A senior NCO watches as the battery troops jump out of the back of a Hercules
“The parachuting itself involves kitting up in dry suits with life jackets, donning parachute harness and reserve, and packing and attaching equipment in a waterproof container,” explains Lt Col Tim Wood RA.
“Approaching water, the key is to release the ’chute on hitting the water to prevent any chance of it dragging the parachutist.
A RIB from the RN Gibraltar Squadron races to pick up a jumper
“The drysuits – and lifejackets – support the parachutist as he gets the equipment off and recovers his equipment, and with a bit of luck, he is picked up by a small boat as soon as possible.
Lt Col Wood continues: “In the balmy waters of the Mediterranean, bobbing around for a while is no hardship – but in the cooler waters off Scotland and Norway, this can be critical.”
For the forward observers, the chance to train around the Rock made Gibsplash “a great exercise, making best use of time, resources and opportunity, and another chance for the highly-trained operators of 148 Battery and the liaison officers to demonstrate their capability,” said Lt Col Wood. “You never know where it might be needed next.”