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the town. The FO officer calculated the ship's error, but the ship's computer system did not indicate anything wrong, so after three rounds were fired the FO officer dismissed the ship from the firing line. The ship's weapons staff spent the next 24 hours going through their system, and discovered their radar had not locked onto the correct datum point, creating an error in firing equal to that calculated by the FO officer. The
Argentine military command were very quick to announce this error as a deliberate act of aggression towards the Islanders. The FO team, which was still conducting covert reconnaissance and bombardment, learned of the tragedy from the BBC World Service.
33:
391:, and a basic parachute course. After Commando qualification, unless already Observation Post qualified, they then undergo six months of basic Gunnery Control training and Observation Post operations. Personnel are trained in infiltration and exfiltration, covert observation, target identification and location, voice and data communications, adjusting gunfire from both afloat and ashore, and
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long-range surface navigation. Much of the training is conducted at night with this being the preferred time for covert infiltration and exfiltration. One team member (the team medic) is also cross trained as a combat medical technician with additional medical training in BATLS (Battlefield
Advanced Trauma Life Support) and BARTs (Battlefield Advanced Resuscitation).
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were killed by
British naval gunfire controlled by the unit, when a ships' gun beacon MIP radar malfunctioned. The three women were sheltering in a part of the town which the FO team officer had been briefed was free of civilians. The FO team were themselves in a very exposed position to the north of
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Once a NGA has completed probation the candidate may be selected to undergo further amphibious training beyond that of AACC. During amphibious training, NGAs are trained in over-water parachute infiltration. Training is also conducted in Small/Fast Boat
Coxswains; Small/Fast Boat operations and
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as the second in command (2IC). The rest of the team consists of a (Royal Navy) communicator, RA Lance
Bombardier, and Gunner. The team can be split in two with the Bombardier commanding one team and the Captain the other. All unit members are capable of co-ordinating air strikes and directing
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fire from the gun batteries of 29 Commando
Regiment Royal Artillery, when ashore in support of 3 Commando Brigade. In support of this role, the battery provides FSTs to the Royal Navy when conducting training on a variety of gunnery ranges around the world.
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148 Battery's FSTs comprise gunners of the Royal
Artillery, already qualified members of the regiment when posted into the battery, augmented by Royal Navy communications personnel (signallers) who are required to undergo the
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Lance
Bombardier Ross Clark aged 25 from South Africa, and Lance Bombardier Liam McLaughlin, aged 21 from Lancashire, were killed during a rocket attack in the Sangin area of Helmand province on 3 March 2007.
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The battery uses the vehicles and standard equipment of 3 Commando
Brigade, supplemented with specialist observation capabilities; night vision, voice and data communications and target indication such as
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FO teams called artillery fire and air strikes onto
Argentine positions in support of every major British assault. With the Argentine surrender, the unit returned to their home in Poole.
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The unit conducts training in various exercises and climates including mountain and arctic, jungle, desert and temperate. It regularly deploys with Royal Marines units to
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606:
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259:-trained unit were in high demand as commanders re-discovered their usefulness. FO teams were relocated about the islands as the British advanced on the capital at
395:(FAC) techniques. Upon completion of the course a new Naval Gunfire Assistant (NGA) will be assigned to a Forward Observation team for a probationary period.
213:, the unit eventually evolved into the 95 Forward Observation Unit (95 FOU). In 1975 the unit was reduced to its current size and co-located with the
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336:. On the first night of the operation the unit suffered its first deaths of the war when a US Marine helicopter crashed close to the Iraq Border.
184:. All personnel within the battery are also parachute trained. The battery is supported by a Battery Fitter Section from 29 Regiment's attached
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As of July 2020, the battery began transitioning to the Colt Canada C8 rifles, similar to that of the UKSF and the Royal Marines adapting the
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357:, to observe and identify candidate targets, conduct preliminary Battle Damage Assessment, adjust fire or provide target illumination for
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The unit provides Fire Support Teams (FST - formerly called Forward Observation parties) to control and co-ordinate Naval fires (
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The battery consists of HQ personnel, Fire Support Teams and administrative and logistical support personnel.
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The battery is formed into a number of Fire Support Teams (FSTs), operating ashore or in advance of the
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229:(AMF(L)) and the SBS. The smaller sized unit soon found it was unable to meet its many obligations.
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for jungle warfare training. Given the similar skillsets there is a level of training with the
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Marine Joint Effects Observer Groups to standardise procedures to assure interoperability.
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Workshop, also commando qualified. The battery and its Battery Fitter Section are based at
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is a specialist Naval Gunfire Support Forward Observation (NGSFO) unit within
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Military units and formations of the United Kingdom in the Falklands War
551:"Lance Bombardiers Ross Clark and Liam McLaughlin killed in Afghanistan"
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3 Commando Brigade conducted an amphibious landing to occupy the
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148 provided fire support to various British formations.
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and allied ships, land based air delivered munitions and
529:"Eight personnel from 3 Commando Brigade killed in Iraq"
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A FST consists of five personnel; a patrol commander (a
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MOD Mission task List (Maritime) v2.01 dated Aug 05
387:Volunteers for the battery must first complete the
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148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery
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451:, with the L7 General Purpose Machine Gun (
288:148 provided teams initially in Northern
186:Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
607:Honourable East India Company regiments
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16:British Army commando artillery battery
22:148 (Meiktila) Battery Royal Artillery
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251:where it operated alongside both the
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531:. Ministry of Defence. 21 March 2003
243:After the Argentine invasion of the
89:29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
383:Selection and introductory training
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421:Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
247:, the unit deployed to the South
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399:Continuation and unit training
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209:Originally formed during the
355:Forward Edge of Battle Area
266:Three British civilians in
255:and SBS. The skills of the
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612:Bengal Artillery Batteries
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292:and later assisted in the
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597:Royal Artillery batteries
459:as support fire weapons.
447:Personal weapons are the
438:Laser Target Designators
425:Netherlands Marine Corps
389:All Arms Commando Course
182:All Arms Commando Course
227:ACE Mobile Force (Land)
553:. Ministry of Defence
464:Future Commando Force
334:2003 invasion of Iraq
165:naval gunfire support
69:Naval Gunfire Support
359:laser guided weapons
148:29 Commando Regiment
134:Meiktila Day 3 March
393:Forward Air Control
239:Operation Corporate
572:Falklands Commando
486:Battle of Meiktila
223:Parachute Regiment
155:3 Commando Brigade
570:McManners, Hugh.
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233:The Falklands War
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444:location.
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95:Garrison/HQ
591:Categories
497:References
481:Royal Navy
374:), with a
169:Royal Navy
431:Equipment
245:Falklands
205:Formation
173:artillery
59:Artillery
470:See also
257:Commando
249:Atlantic
219:RM Poole
190:RM Poole
115:Motto(s)
99:RM Poole
369:Captain
328:during
200:History
123:Colours
79:Battery
27:Country
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457:Minimi
455:) and
413:Belize
409:Norway
332:, the
296:hunt.
225:; the
194:Dorset
105:Patron
45:Branch
36:
453:GPMGs
449:L85A2
576:ISBN
559:2017
537:2017
440:and
417:USMC
314:Iraq
290:Iraq
75:Size
65:Role
55:Type
442:GPS
419:'s
253:SAS
217:at
215:SBS
192:in
153:of
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