Exercise Falling Star
Last weekend 2nd-4th March saw the marine detachment being despatched to Exercise Falling Star. This involved a security issue in Northern Europe on the Madarsko/Segedin border, where the political powers that be had been in disagreement over the rights to the oil pipeline that crossed the country and in particular, supplied the UK with its domestic oil.
After an incident where supplies were stopped for a short period, the UN Security Council had no choice but to get the marines on to the ground and straight into action to secure the pipeline. The marines initially engaged a terrorist group who were responsible for the stoppage and after a few skirmishes with further groups, found that the enemy forces had no wish to fight and consequently all enemy forces moved back over the Solisian border, where the UK has no jurisdiction.
……and in reality - ……... saw the marine detachment being despatched with full kit, to an untested training area during the wettest Friday this year. Arriving late Friday night, locating a suitable harbour area in the cold rain and then struggling to erect bivvies on what seemed like a lake of mud, the detachment settled down to a night of sentry duties (and more rain).
First light on Saturday morning saw the marines swimming out of their bivvies and looking forward to a hot meal, before receiving order to patrol the ground and gain information on reported enemy movement and locations.
During the afternoon, using the information gained, the detachment split into various sized groups to clear building’s and eliminate any enemy found. However, during this action a message was received that a friendly OP had been over-run and a small group of the enemy were holding a hostage, quite close to our position. With no further ado, the marines located the building where the hostage was being detained and staged a daring rescue. After a couple more contacts with the enemy, the detachment were forced to withdraw through lack of ammunition and later that night returned to rendezvous with a re-supply drop.
Early on Sunday morning, further information was received of the main enemy location, south-west of the marine’s position and that the enemy were preparing to move back over the border. Orders were given to the detachment to delay the enemy in any way possible to give friendly forces a chance to bring up heavier support. After a fierce fire fight which disabled the enemies plans to move out of the area, the marines, through lack of supplies, were forced to withdraw and allow Air Support to finish the task.
With the elimination of all enemy forces in the area, the marines were stood down and re-called back to their unit for a well-earned rest.
Congrats to all the marines that took part and special mention to our two new guys who although had little experience, still managed to grit their teeth and keep up with the more experienced guys.
So ………..what did YOU do this weekend?