Soldiers get taste of life on the frontline at Shropshire training exercise - with video and pictures
A scenario similar to ones played out in war zones such as Iraq or Afghanistan was staged in the rain and wind lashed fields of Nesscliffe Training Camp.
Almost 100 soldiers of the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards were involved in a training exercise ahead of a six week deployment to the National Training Centre in the Majove Desert, California.
The exercise involved 'key leader engagement' in a scenario set out to mimic those that take place in hostile places.
Large military vehicles and armed soliders were involved in securing an area of the training camp, which was to be used for Major Ben Parkyn, from Telford, to move in and engage in conversations with 'locals' about security issues, concerns and ethnic divides in the area.
The situation was set up by an intelligence officer, to train soldiers in situations such as this.
Similar exercises will take place on Exercise Diamondback in California, and then the Squadron C, will be deployed to Poland as part of the Nato Enhance Forward Presence, providing reassurance to Nato allies.
Squadron Leader Major Parkyn, of Horsehay said: "The operation involves reconnaissance and human terrain analysis, and is designed to gather information from a situation like this, and take it back.
"When going to Iraq the first time we tended to smash it up, where as these operations are designed to think of the implications, and gather evidence from key leader engagement scenarios.
"I will engage in a conversation with people from the other side on a neutral area, to take about their grievances, and gather information.
"These operations are hugely important, and are very helpful."
Others in the squadron, based in Norfolk, included Corporal Keiran Welfoot, from Ellesmere, who has served for nine years.
He said the operations were valuable, and helped prevent any casualties in real life situations such as the one that played out yesterday.
He added: "They are extremely important, because we don't get this level of training on camp.
"In training we work had to prevent situations where we get causalities, and by doing this exercise it helps us achieve that in a real situation.
"For the younger guys it is good, they haven't had experience of things such as this, and the Calfornia trip will be extremely valuable, to learn from the US forces too."
Around 50 military vehicles including Jackals, Coyotes, Panthers and recovery assets will be shipped out for the six week operation in September.
The Jackal, involved in Wednesday's exercise, is the Squadron's primary vehicle, and is ideal for its reconnaissance role due to its mobility, endurance, speed and manoeuvrability.
The scenario played out in the rain at Nesscliffe, and after securing the area, Major Parkyn met with 'locals' who then ensured the area was safe, and called their 'leader' in, to talk with the Major on issues that concerned them.
Major Parkyn said: "Our actions determine how the scenario plays out, if we go in too heavy they pull on, so it is just like a real scenario."
Moments into the operation shots are fired in one of the outer security perimeters, and the locals are worried, with the leader saying: "I thought we were going to be protected."
After re-securing the area, the locals agree to continue the engagement, with soldiers picking up valuable skills of what it would like like in a real scenario.
Recruits on the regiment are from Wales and the Border Counties, including Corporal Jamie Chater from Bridgnorth, who has served for eight years.
He spent overnight at an Observation Point gathering information on the surrounding area.
He added: "The operation is important, it is a progression of skills, and good practice for a real situation.
"I was basically in a bush observing the target.
"The trip to the US is an exciting one, it is good for the younger lads to be involved with foreign forces and to learn.
"But we all learn, you never stop learning really.
"To be able to do it here is great, I haven't been to Nesscliffe since I was a 13 year old cadet, so it is strange coming back."
Major Parkyn explained following the US trip, the Squadron will be deployed to Poland, where this exercise will be put into a real life situation.
He added: "There will be a six month deployment in Poland, where we will provide assurance to Eastern Europeans through scenarios like this."
