Our participation as a General Support Transporter (GS Tp) on Exercise WESSEX STORM, was to provide essential services to the participating battle groups. This included logistics support, equipment provision, ammunition supply, and rations distribution.
Initially, we were stationed at Salisbury’s Avon compound for three days to undergo TES KIT testing, which involved personal and vehicle testing and fitting to ensure our preparedness for the exercise. We then relocated to Narberth-Templeton in Pembrokeshire, where we fulfilled various responsibilities as part of the MATT TP. These responsibilities included item supply, maintenance of Log RV, VITAL, and item tracking, which were crucial for effectively managing and distributing equipment and rations to other units throughout the exercise. During our stay we deployed in Pembroke Dock Pot, we were fortunate to have a chance to engage in a rear Sea Point of Disembarkation (SPOD) operation. This experience provided us with valuable trade knowledge and insights specifically related to SPOD operations.
Later in the exercise, we moved to The Defence Training Estate – RAF Caerwent, where we spent a week engaged in urban exercises, camouflage activities, and the defence and support of friendly forces. We were involved in strategic planning and its implementation on the ground, while also facilitating item issuance via MJDI based on the requirements of the dependencies.
Finally, we spent a week in Barton Stacey, providing support to our dependencies (The Second Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR) and 1 IRISH) with SPOD and APOD functions. Additionally, we managed the Ammunition Compound in Salisbury, Shrewton, overseeing the supply and provision of all necessary ammunition to our dependencies, and conducted the closing down procedures at the conclusion of the exercise. As a supply specialist and General Support, our main responsibility was to offer second-line support and meet the demands of our dependencies, specifically 2 RGR and 1 IRISH, using various transportation modes such as road, air, and sea.
By Private Padam Gurung, Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment
