With the largest NATO deployment since the Cold War now over, we look back at the vital role played by troops from 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade.
The convoys provided by 10 Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment ensured that 7 Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (7LMBCT), “The Desert Rats”, could carry out their role as NATOs Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in north-east Poland.
Archive imagery of a briefing to 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade.
10 Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment covered distances up to 1,250km.
Known as “The Iron Vipers”, the Brigade provided the ammunition, food, and fuel to keep British soldiers in the fight.
From the start of January 2024, the roads of Europe saw a constant flow of military and civilian vehicles, transporting everything from Challenger 2 main battle tanks to fresh water.
Before the exercise started, 10 Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (10 QOGLR) established convoy support centres and divisional supply areas across Germany and Poland.
Covering distances of up to 1,250km, their convoys ensured that 7 Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (7LMBCT), “The Desert Rats”, could carry out their role as NATOs Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in north-east Poland.
From April 2024, 10 QOGLR were relieved by 27 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (27 RLC) whose convoys stretched 780km into south Germany, sustaining 12 Armoured Brigade Combat Team (12 ABCT) as they validated the King’s Royal Hussars Battlegroup.
27 RLC also tested new communications systems that enabled logistics support elements to operate with greater reach.
Whilst deployed on Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, we were able to communicate over 1,000km securely and reliably. Not only did our systems provide robust voice communications, but they also provided accurate situational awareness
Sergeant Leah Andrews, 27 RLC, Communication Specialist, said:
“Employing these new comms systems enabled the command team to build a significantly clearer battle picture, which resulted in much better command and control than they previously experienced.”
Exercise Steadfast Defender provided NATO allies with opportunities to develop new capabilities and explore how to counter the threats identified following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
2nd Lieutenant Emily Fisher, 151 RLC, Troop Commander, said:
“Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 provided an unrivalled opportunity for reservists from 151 and 157 Regiment to integrate with and work alongside our regular counterparts.
“We honed our existing abilities operating green fleet and developed new capabilities on white fleet vehicles to deliver vital kit and supplies to Poland.”
Throughout the exercise, 5 Battalion Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (5 REME) kept British Army vehicles on the road, conducting repairs and maintenance of essential vehicles.
As the Army’s only unit capable of repairing the engine and gearbox (powerpack) of a Challenger 2 tank, 5 REME were critical to the King’s Royal Hussars battlegroup validation.
A sustainment enterprise day during Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 showcased the readiness, relevance, and integration of the Iron Vipers.
Major Jeff Tibbett, planning officer for 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade, said:
“This exercise truly showcased where the Iron Vipers sit in the journey from warehouse to warrior. We were able to demonstrate how working with industry, integrating civilians and reservists enhances the delivery of sustainment without increasing the workforce.
“It also gave us the chance to experiment with innovative communications equipment to track convoys and enable command and control over extended ground lines of communication with little infrastructure burden.”
Major Rich Cummings of 1 Field Company, 5 Force Support Battalion REME added:
‘When we combine this with our newest capabilities, such as metal 3D printing of parts in the field, and as the only Army unit that can replace a Challenger 2 powerpack without having to ship it back to the factory, we are seeing a step change in support capability which is agile and capable of keeping our vital armour in the fight.”
Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 saw 20,000 British personnel deploy to central, north, and eastern Europe. In total, 90,000 troops from all 32 NATO allies trained together to test plans to reinforce European defences.
