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An Apache AH Mk1 helicopter supporting
Challenger 2 tanks with AS90 self-propelled guns in the background
smoke. A group of some 40 plus members and their guests enjoyed a splendid day on Wednesday, 10 October 2007 at the Army’s Land Combat Power Demonstration on Salisbury Plain; close to the Land Warfare Centre at Warminster, Wiltshire. The Staff College Demonstration (SCD or the ‘Firepower Demo’) is staged primarily for the benefit of the Joint Staff College students to give an insight into the Army’s operational capability in a joint and combined context. The aim of the SCD is “to develop an understanding of the Land Component, the complexity and capabilities of a land formation and how it may be deployed and then employed to achieve full operational effect – by demonstrating the capabilities and equipment found in a formation and how they may be organised.” |
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After arrival formalities, and refreshments in the Infantry
Officers’ Mess where members were met by a Royal Tank Regiment piper
(Trooper Douglas), the Group boarded a coach at 10:45 hrs to travel
to the ranges where all were seated on the Close Operations Stand at
Imber Clump to watch the displays after an entertaining interlude by
the Adjutant General’s Corps Band playing popular music. |
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| The morning display for an hour was a Combined Arms Manoeuvre Demonstration to display the capability of a Battle Group from basic section to BG level using pyrotechnic simulated firings. | |
 Lunch
for the Group followed in the VIP tent which was the inevitable, but
delicious, Army curry washed down with a glass or two of wine. The
lunch break provided an opportunity to visit the static Battle Group
Capability Display with many items of modern equipment on show. Our
Chairman, Air Cdre. (Rtd.) David Wilby AFC RAF, also took the
opportunity to make presentations to Maj. Gen. John Cooper DSO MBE.
(see photo left), the Director General Training Support and to Lt.
Col. Andy Pullan, CO 3 Yorks. |
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 Back
to the stand at 14:00 hrs for 90 minutes of a Combined Army
Firepower Demonstration involving not only the infantry with their
impressive array of weapons, but Challenger 2 tanks, AS90
Self-Propelled Guns, Scimitar Armoured Vehicles & Warrior Infantry
Fighting Vehicles, with an Apache AH Mk1 helicopter, an RAF Tornado
and two RAF Harrier aircraft in close support. All the weapons
systems were firing live ammunition and some of them only yards from
the stand! |
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| The Group then returned by coach to the Infantry Officers’ Mess in the Land Warfare Centre for tea and cake followed by a respectably short AGM (the draft minutes will be available as soon as they are written by clicking here to take you to the Members’ Area and thus to the Document Archive). The meeting concluded about 17:15 hrs when all dispersed. | |
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Autumn Visit and AGM 2007 |