POST EVENT REPORT- TROJAN SQUADRON BATTLE PT 30/11/2011

The main aim of the session was to test the bursars physically and help them to develop their teamwork skills in a leader-less environment. This event was designed by Captain Reilly to give bursars an insight into casualty evacuation methods that are applied in current combat operations. The session highlighted the key requirements of safety and speed when transporting injured personnel to an extraction point, even when under fire. On the 30^th November 2011 Trojan Squadron took part in their second Battle PT training session on Town Moor in Newcastle. This involved the cadets practising casualty evacuation (casevac) methods in teams and finished with a 1km casevac race between 8 man sections around Cow Hill. 

After all bursars paraded at Cow Hill, the Squadron Physical Training Instructors (PTI’s) began the lessons that combined as a warm up prior to the final race. The bursars were briefed on the application of toggle ropes to create a makeshift stretcher in combination with a pair of CS95 Smocks for transporting a casualty. They were also introduced to carry methods such as the Fireman’s Lift and Troop drag to move personnel before being split into 4 man teams.

From here, the ‘warm up’ began with a sprint up to the top of Cow Hill. The 4 man teams rotated in pairs, each practising the carrying methods while the other pair completed various exercises. Throughout these practices bursars were sent sprinting up Cow Hill, putting in a strong effort on every occasion. This ran alongside a fond introduction to ‘Billy the Whistle’ which involved the bursars sprinting from a prone start position to calls of the whistle. Some bursars found the intensity of this very demanding but all were thoroughly “warmed up” prior to the final race.

The final casevac race ran over a 1km course around Cow Hill which included height differences of over 80m across undulating terrain. With the simulated enemy approaching from the north, the teams of 8 personnel had to safely evacuate a casualty quickly to the casevac point. The route taken by each team ran through gullies, up and down the hills and through mud obstacles, testing the bursars to their physical and mental limits. All teams and accompanying officers put in huge effort to transport the casualty at a high intensity around the route using all they had learnt to push themselves and their team members around the directed route as fast as possible to the extraction point.

The afternoon was a great success, testing all the bursars to their limits and giving them key lessons into the importance of casualty evacuation. The day gave every one a chance to practice and develop their skills with each person putting in a 100% effort. Thanks go to Captain Reilly for organising the intense Battle PT session on behalf of the Squadron.

OCdt McIllmurray (30112035)