For the first time in history, soldiers from The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR) have become the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Protection Group (PG) for British Forces Brunei. CBRN threats are some of the most frightening faced by modern society today and are only made more challenging by the Bruneian environment.
1 RGR C Company assumed the duties of CBRN PG and are now held at readiness. This means they are required to be on standby to respond to emergencies at any time. Having assumed their new role earlier this year, C Company delivered CBRN concentration training to all other departments in 1 RGR this month.
The rigorous validation comprised training in CBRN theory and actual practises, including clothing, respirator serviceability and size, and a demand for any necessary CBRN kit and equipment in advance. It was never relatively easy to conduct CBRN training in Brunei’s climate with an average temperature of 31°C and humidity of 85%, but C Company accomplished an outstanding job of executing it whilst operating under the heat index limit.
The CBRN PG validation exercise was conducted at an urban training complex in Brunei in accordance with the Counter-CBRN Protection Group Tactical Doctrine Note. This validation exercise comprises tactical operations in several defensive and enabling operations throughout the day and at night in a CBRN-simulation environment. C Company participated in the CBRN PG validation exercise from 26th-30th June 2023. This CBRN PG validation Exercise has given all C Company serving personnels a great chance at demonstrating that they can operate in a CBRN environment.
“With the 30°C heat, wearing full CBRN suits and respirators was not a comfortable task” said Corporal Sameer Gurung, one of the CBRN instructors. “However, the guys all made it work and conducted their drills with total professionalism”.
By Sergeant Mohan Angdembe, The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
