62 RAR ISTAR Ex.

62 RAR ran Exercise ‘Open Eyes’ in the Glen of Imaal on 31 Mar/1 Apr 2012. This was an Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) led scenario culminating in an attack on an enemy position where the situation has been developed and planned using ISTAR Assets and Staff processes. This was a learning Exercise and was designed to introduce the Unit to the ISTAR Concept and to practice its implementation. Elements from Brigade CIS, Logs and Medics provided support throughout and some of these elements also acted as a very convincing enemy party.

For the Exercise we deployed an Artillery Anchor OP and 2 by Artillery FOO parties whose task was to locate and observe the Enemy at all stages of the exercise. We also deployed 2 by Recce Patrols and practiced 1 Bty’s Gunners in patrolling and reporting techniques. During the Exercise the enemy changed location and Exercise HQ retasked an OP to get eyes on them in their new location and the Recce Patrols then secured a Forming Up Point (FUP) for the 2/3 Bty 3* Course who carried out a Platoon in Attack on the new enemy position. HQ Bty provided Exercise HQ who carried out full command  and control at all stages of the Exercise with all of the assets feeding information to the Ex HQ via tactical reports.

Pictures to follow…