Temporary Landing Zone Construction on Exercise Askari Storm 4/14 and the Lessons for Future Contingency Operations

摘要

9 Parachute Squadron Group constructed two temporary landing zones (TLZ) in Kenya during Ex Askari Storm 4/14. Both were based on existing strips: one on a landowner's Cessna strip, which required considerable work to upgrade for C130 operations; the other on a strip constructed by 51 Para Sqn in 2013, which required more limited repair and maintenance. The TLZ construction party proved that 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) has the capability to recce, design, resource and construct a TLZ. Perhaps more importantly, they enabled 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) Battle Group to conduct a realistic Air Assault Task Force mission: an austere parachute mount from Mpala Farm TLZ; then an offset parachute drop, insertion march and live firing attack to secure the Wild Geese TLZ; and finally a rapid air landing on that strip to insert additional combat power and logistic support.