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RobT
05-05-2004, 09:08 AM
From http://www.rafregt.8k.com/Regt2000.htm

http://www.rafregt.8k.com/images/Regt201.jpg
The RAF Regiment's 2 Squadron, based at RAF Honington, will be the first unit in the British military to achieve the new Jungle warfare Specialist qualification. The Squadron, which is the elite airborne unit within the RAF Regiment, is currently in the jungles of Belize, central America, working towards the Jungle Specialist qualification. To do so 2 Sqn is required to survive and operate continuously for a period of 28 days in an environment that is considered by many warfare experts to be the toughest in the world.




http://www.rafregt.8k.com/images/MNT03-104-RAW-UNC%20152%20copy.jpg

http://www.rafregt.8k.com/images/MNT03-104-RAW-UNC-222%20copy.jpg

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http://www.rafregt.8k.com/images/MNT03-104-RAW-UNC%20121%20copy.jpg

So far "Gunners" of 2 Sqn have faced a training regime of increasing complexity and the tempo designed to stretch their individual field skills as well as introduce them to section, Flight and Squadron unit tactics for jungle warfare. These new skills will be used in a Sqn size offensive exercise in mid October (2003), which will be the culmination of 2 Squadrons 28 days in the Jungle

http://www.rafregt.8k.com/images/MNT03-104-RAW-UNC%20105%20copy.jpg

The Jungle training area known as Gallon Jug, is a 50K square and next to the Guatemalan border in the west of Belize. In the near future the Jungle Warfare Training centre, currently situated in Brunei , will move permanently to Belize. Commenting on his men during taking part in jungle training , the Officer Commanding 2 Squadron, Sqn Ldr Jamie Kendell said " As individuals this will fundamentally change the way they soldier... for the young men who successfully come through this it will be a very big achievement".

http://www.rafregt.8k.com/images/MNT03-104-RAW-UNC%20104%20copy.jpg

http://www.rafregt.8k.com/images/MNT03-104-RAW-UNC-283%20copy.jpg

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http://www.rafregt.8k.com/images/MNT03-104-RAW-UNC%20103%20copy.jpg

Enjoy!

Rob
DeltaWhisky58
05-05-2004, 09:24 AM
Superb pix - thanks Rob
Hullebullen
05-05-2004, 09:50 AM
Great pics... woot
Fearless-Falcon
05-05-2004, 10:15 AM
Is this RAF Regiment a conventional light infantry unit or SF?
Are they like the USAF Combat Controllers?
Steve Andrews
05-05-2004, 10:19 AM
They guard airbases

Those are some of the cheesiest pics ever!

"Lets take some cool pictures of us in the jungle, pretending to be real soldiers. With those big machine guns that the infantry carry. You know - popping out of the water like John J...."


STAG ON!!
W(M)D
05-05-2004, 10:34 AM
"Lets take some cool pictures of us in the jungle, pretending to be real soldiers. With those big machine guns that the infantry carry. You know - popping out of the water like John J...."
STAG ON!!

These guys are much more skillful and well trained then you give them credit. They had guys on Telic up front with other army units in the war fighting phase. From what I could make out as individuals they surpassed in some instances their army counterparts.
Javehn
05-05-2004, 10:37 AM
Thanks for the pictures . I am kinda lost here . Sence when RAF trayning it's soldiers to perform ground work ? Isn't this exclusive Army work ? In our place , the only ground work performed by Airforce soldiers , is to guard the Airforce bases .
W(M)D
05-05-2004, 10:43 AM
No, the RAF Regt not only keep the airfields secure tactically from ground and air (air defence units) but also are trained to seize airfields and also are part of the NBC defence strategy of the UK armed services amongst other things.
The people that 'guard' the airfields are the RAF police.
Javehn
05-05-2004, 10:46 AM
Interesting . So those RAF Regiments comparable to regular infantry Regiments ? I mean , from training side , and their usual duty .
Fearless-Falcon
05-05-2004, 10:48 AM
I found a good Explaining site.
http://www.rafregiment.co.uk/
Rob_A
05-05-2004, 10:51 AM
As W(M)D said, the RAF regiment is comprised of 2 types of squadrons, field squadrons and air defence squadrons, no2 squadron (field) are probably the most elite section of the RAF regiment, they are parachute (and now jungle by the looks of it) trained etc and one of thier main roles is to drop in and secure landing sites/airfields.

http://www.rafregiment.co.uk/

Edit: Snap! :D
Royal
05-05-2004, 11:27 AM
The RAF Regiment's 2 Squadron, based at RAF Honington, will be the first unit in the British military to achieve the new Jungle warfare Specialist qualification. The Squadron, which is the elite airborne unit within the RAF Regiment, is currently in the jungles of Belize, central America, working towards the Jungle Specialist qualification. To do so 2 Sqn is required to survive and operate continuously for a period of 28 days in an environment that is considered by many warfare experts to be the toughest in the world.

I have no desire to denigrate 2 Sqn (in my limited experience a top notch airborne outfit). But this is MoD spin.

The JWS is replacing the old JWI's course run in Brunei - becuase of cutbacks we are closing our only permenant Jungle Warfare school and replacing it with ad-hoc training packages in Brunei and Belize. Our only permenant jungle warfare training facility is now the SF training centre.

This will undoubtedly lead to skill fade and loss of 'corporate knowledge' vital if we are ever to conduct conventional jungle Ops again.

I only hope the Kiwis and Aussies maintain their capabilities so we can steal them again (as we had to in Malaya and Borneo). Bean counters memories are short :(
ronin2172
05-05-2004, 11:57 AM
just wondering...in the pics all the weapons have iron sights xcept the LSW is this common for jungle ops?
SamHamam
05-05-2004, 12:03 PM
just wondering...in the pics all the weapons have iron sights xcept the LSW is this common for jungle ops?

Yes
ronin2172
05-05-2004, 12:26 PM
just wondering...in the pics all the weapons have iron sights xcept the LSW is this common for jungle ops?

Yes

any particular reason y they don't use the optical sight?
jamesp
05-05-2004, 12:39 PM
any particular reason y they don't use the optical sight?

Something to do with the range of contact?

Or perhaps this particular squadron use iron sight.
mmackem
05-05-2004, 01:00 PM
Most photos I've seen have shown iron sights, but there are a few using SUSAT's.

The first three are British Army the last one is a Royal Marine.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/455_1083776235_45113222.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/455_1083776204_45113221.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/455_1083776183_45113220.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/455_1083776171_45110351.jpg
Royal
05-05-2004, 03:33 PM
just wondering...in the pics all the weapons have iron sights xcept the LSW is this common for jungle ops?

Yes

any particular reason y they don't use the optical sight?

Partly because you don't need the range, but mainly because you can't see through it when there's 90+% humidity and it's covered in a mixture of mud, sweat, rain and if you're lucky and it cools down, condensation...
Steve Andrews
05-06-2004, 07:41 AM
What Royal said and...
With iron sights it is quicker to aquire and engage targets at the very close ranges typically found in the dense foliage of the jungle.

The Parachute Regiment Pathfinder Platoon used to favour iron sights on the SA80 for CQB too...
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/72/iron1.jpg
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RobT
05-06-2004, 09:57 AM
Cheers for the replies, as for the bloke who said stagging on was all they do well.....You got sorted out didn't you! Say it to the Rockapes themselves, proud bunch of buggers who bite hard!
Steve Andrews
05-07-2004, 03:33 PM
OK..I eat my words. At least I can admit when I'm wrong, unlike some guys on the forum. :roll:

Those "look at me emerging from the water" pics are very cheesy though.
They've been done time and time again....
catalyst
05-07-2004, 05:37 PM
the spacing on the airies going across the river appears to indicate these are all a photo shoot, not photos from a exersize as such. Yet I maybe wrong. Why would you cross a river wif guy so close to each other? Does that not just ask for a duck shoot by OPFORs?

just my $.02
RobT
05-10-2004, 11:41 AM
pics are very cheesy though.
....

If you were in the jungle and somone was going to take pictures of you, you'd make them cheesy! People dont want to see pictures of blokes in jungle standing about!
Steve Andrews
05-12-2004, 04:33 PM
I have some jungle pics. Can't think of any cheesy ones.
reverence
05-16-2004, 01:52 AM
I'd have to disagree that iron sights are better than optics for rapid engagement unless the optics are more than about 1.5 magnification. It is far quicker to place a red dot on target and pull the trigger than align 1.Target with 2.foresight with 3. rearsight with 4. eyeball. It typically takes 1.5 seconds to properly align a 1.5 power scope such as that found on a Steyr or an Aimpoint/Reflex type compared to 3-5 secs for iron sights.
Any thoughts?
digrar
05-16-2004, 04:57 AM
In the quick, fleeting engagements typical of jungle warfare snap shooting is the order of the day. If you **** around to much the target has gone. Point your fingers at the target and squeeze the trigger.
The 1.5 powered sight on the Styer is a good battle sight but it isn't ideal in the dark humid jungle environments.
Royal
05-24-2004, 10:50 AM
I'd have to disagree that iron sights are better than optics for rapid engagement unless the optics are more than about 1.5 magnification. It is far quicker to place a red dot on target and pull the trigger than align 1.Target with 2.foresight with 3. rearsight with 4. eyeball. It typically takes 1.5 seconds to properly align a 1.5 power scope such as that found on a Steyr or an Aimpoint/Reflex type compared to 3-5 secs for iron sights.
Any thoughts?

1. SUSAT's are x4

2. What DigRAR said - in an engagement like that you invariably snap shoot