BASRA — When Coalition forces came under heavy attacks from insurgents in Iraq, the flames of the British Army gunners' 155mm AS90s proved to be the showstopper.
Packed off from the gun lines on the Contingency Operating Base (COB) in Basra, a team from D Battery, 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, deployed north to Tallil. As well as delivering munitions back at the insurgents' door, the Gunners' 155mm self-propelled weapon,capable of firing 96lb (43.5kg) Nato HL15 projectiles over a range of 25km, also rapidly caught the attention of their coalition comrades.
"We were working with the Australians, Americans and Romanians. They were coming under indirect fire (IDF) and needed counter-fire, and we can deploy there when people need us,” said D Battery's Sergeant Guy Catterick, describing the action against the abrupt escalation in fighting that swept across Iraq at the end of March.
"The gun made their life a bit easier and it's good that people see what D Battery can do. We were on our own with the AS90 but the Australians were very friendly and there were a lot of visits to look at the gun. Then the Americans heard about it and we ended up showing quite a few people around. It's a good show of force and had the same effect on lifting their morale, especially the first time we were engaged."
Guaranteeing a round-the-clock defence system, D Battery's gun teams had to step up to a hot plate when the violence erupted in southern Iraq. They were called on to return fire against the sharp increase in IDF attacks onto the COB, as well as firing in support of British Forces assisting the Iraqis pushing into Basra city. The plate got hotter when they deployed to Tallil.
"It was different up there wearing your body armour in the 44C heat," said Gunner Roy White. "We were working alongside the Australians who were quite friendly and chilled out. There were just slight differences in some of the procedures and it was good to learn what they do. It was good to get off the COB, as it broke up the tour."
On both bases, the gunners loaded up an eight-hours-on and eight-hours-off shift system until further notice. They lived off their guns. Food had to be delivered to the lines where there were - no showers or water.
Gunner Jonathan Boateng arrived just as the pace of operations intensified. Having just completed his phase two training, he wanted to meet his new comrades and witness the AS90 in action.
"It was hard for me but after the first three days I got used to it. On your eight-hours-off you lie down, and sleep does come to you because you are knackered – unless there's IDF and then you have to rush to respond to it,” he said. "The first time I saw the gun fire it used one of the strongest charges so it was pretty loud and my whole body shook involuntarily. But it boosts morale. When I arrived we were getting IDF every day and I'd never experienced that. I was a bit stressed until I got used to it and now I run straight to the guns and do the job."
That job has involved D Battery firing hundreds of rounds in six months as counter-IDF and in support of operations. The mission is protecting Multi-National Division (South East) personnel in Basra, on operations and on the COB. The guns have also launched ilIume, which creates daylight out of the night sky, and smoke to provide cover for troops conducting operations.
The Mobile Artillery and Monitoring Battlefield (Mamba) radar is one asset that locates rocket and mortar firing points around Basra. A rapid relay system delivers highly accurate strike area data to D Battery, which then puts its AS90s in action.
"I'm very proud of the team,” said Bombardier Martin Beckett, team commander. “The detachment has changed quite a few times but they've all been good, especially the new lads, as it's a different world coming from Pirbright."