Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result
Home Defence & Military News Army News

British Army Gunners Pack A Punch In Iraq

by Editor
June 23, 2008
in Army News
3 min read
0
14
VIEWS

UK Ministry of Defence,

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.

Describing the action against the abrupt escalation in fighting that swept across Iraq at the end of March 2008, D Battery's Sergeant Guy Catterick said:

“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.

“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. He said:

“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.

“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. Bombardier Martin Beckett, team commander, praised the gunners' work in defending the COB and taking the fight back to the enemy:

“Being the commander is the best job here because you are the one making it happen. When people hear the guns their morale goes up and you're the one firing the guns,” he explained, commending the newer and less-experienced members of the battery.

“We had a few close calls but the lads are all very brave, especially the younger ones. No matter what you're doing when there's IDF you've got to run to the guns while everyone else throws themselves on the ground.

“I'm very proud of the team. 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.”

Previous Post

Airpower: A-10s target anti-Afghan forces

Next Post

Accountability Office Urges Air Force to Re-Bid Tanker Contract

Related Posts

Indonesia Orders Additional CAESAR Artillery Systems

France to send more mobile artillery to Ukraine

February 1, 2023

France will ship 12 more Caesar truck-mounted howitzers and fresh air defence equipment to Ukraine to bolster the fight against...

Leopard tanks to arrive in Ukraine around late March: Germany

Leopard tanks to arrive in Ukraine around late March: Germany

January 27, 2023

Leopard tanks pledged by Germany to help Ukraine repel Russia's invasion will arrive in "late March, early April", Defence Minister...

Next Post

Accountability Office Urges Air Force to Re-Bid Tanker Contract

Latest Defense News

Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers

Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers

May 17, 2025
Trump announces ‘full and immediate’ India-Pakistan ceasefire

Trump announces ‘full and immediate’ India-Pakistan ceasefire

May 10, 2025
Pakistan says Indian missiles strike air bases as conflict spirals

Pakistan says Indian missiles strike air bases as conflict spirals

May 10, 2025
J-10C fighter jet

Pakistan says India has brought neighbours ‘closer to major conflict’

May 9, 2025
North Korea fires multiple suspected cruise missiles

North Korea fires flurry of short-range ballistic missiles

May 9, 2025
China says ‘closely watching’ Ukraine situation after Russian attack

China vows to stand with Russia in face of ‘hegemonic bullying’

May 9, 2025

Defense Forum Discussions

  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Royal New Zealand Air Force
  • General Aviation Thread
  • Chinese Air Force (PLA-AF) News and Discussion
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
  • Indonesian Aero News
  • Russian Navy Discussions and Updates
  • Indonesia: 'green water navy'
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com