The King’s Gurkha Artillery Delivers Its First Fire Support Teams
Four members of The King’s Gurkha Artillery have successfully completed the Fire Support Team (FST) Commander and Second-in-Command course, marking a significant achievement as they transitioned from infantry backgrounds into the demanding world of gunnery and fire support.
The intensive three‑month course is recognised as one of the most challenging and prestigious qualifications within the Royal Artillery. It demands exceptional technical proficiency, tactical acumen, and the ability to shoulder the considerable responsibility placed upon those who direct and coordinate artillery fire on the battlefield.
The culmination of the course was Exercise COMBINED WARRIOR in Brecon, Wales. Here, FST students were fully integrated with cadres from the Infantry Battle School and supported by the Royal School of Artillery and CAMS (Warminster). Together, they delivered fire support across complex operational scenarios, employing coordinated and integrated artillery fires throughout the exercise.
This achievement represents a historic milestone: the establishment of the first FST within the Brigade of Gurkhas. It also marks a major step forward in strengthening the operational capability of the KGA, underscoring the Regiment’s evolution into a credible and capable Fire Support Team within the British Army.
Captain Rupendra Rai and Captain Prithvi Raj Rai qualified as Fire Support Team Commanders, while Bombardier Deepak Gurung and Bombardier Rabin Chamling Rai earned qualification as Second-in-Command FST.
By Bombardier Rabin Chamling Rai
