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Will Meddings Profile picture
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6 Jan, 9 tweets, 6 min read
If you are interested in following someone who opens your eyes to what some of our adversaries are doing, then I highly recommend @CalibreObscura. They write articles and threads on non-state armed groups, their TTPs and their #weapons.

Here's a thread of their best work:
1/
@CalibreObscura How about this: an interview with one Abu TOW, of the most prolific and well-known rebel #ATGM operators in Syria, or indeed globally. He's fired 140 ATGMs - and claims 133 hits.
2/
 calibreobscura.com/fighting-with-…
@CalibreObscura Think you 'own the night'? Everyone does. But its worth looking at the low-light capabilities that are being used in Idlib and re-asking yourself if you really do. A fascinating run-down of IR/TI sights in use.
3/
 calibreobscura.com/retaking-the-n…
@CalibreObscura Clearly I've had an interest in the weapons of IS in West Africa - its how I first came across @CalibreObscura's work. This article is the most recent in a five part series: The Weaponry of IS West Africa (Pt. 5): Curious Capabilities
4/
 calibreobscura.com/the-weaponry-o…
@CalibreObscura If you're a weapons-geek then you'll also get a steady thread of the most interesting, obnoxious and over-modded weapons that the middle east has to offer. Like this bad boy.
5/
@CalibreObscura Or this absolute beauty.
6/
@CalibreObscura But there are more than that as well: This thread on IS-K developments in Nov 21.
7/
@CalibreObscura Or, going further back, this thread from 2019 on Abu Bakr al-Baghadi.
8/
@CalibreObscura So if you aren't following @CalibreObscura, then give them a go. Open your eyes to some amusing weapon mods, garish gold plating and a world of insight into armed-group TTPs.

I'll leave you with this little gem, for @MilitaryBanter and others to enjoy:

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More from @WillJMeddings

Will Meddings Profile picture
23 Dec 21
The @BritishArmy recently selected its next batch of RSMs.

Here’s a thread about the most inspirational RSM that ever lived.

He fought in N Africa, dropped at Arnhem, saved countless lives in a POW camp, and became the first Academy Sgt Maj at @RMASandhurst.

RSM JC Lord, a🧵
Fighting with @3PARA in Tunisia he showed just how rigid he was in setting his standards. And in keeping a cool head:
He also showed a leader needs a sense of humour and compassion.

Ray Sheriff, of 3 PARA, was wounded in the chest in North Africa. He was staggering back to find the medics when he came across RSM Lord:
Read 23 tweets
Will Meddings Profile picture
13 Dec 21
Been wondering about how the UK LRRG sustains itself over 1,500km and three weeks of patrolling?

Wonder no more.

For @ThinkDefence, @TheRLCThinkers,
A thread on LRRG sustainment.
This thread has too many heroes. But two stand out – the BGLO (Maj W) and the A1 Echelon Commander (Capt S).

One organises it, the other carries and distributes it. Nothing can happen without these two.
A1 Echelon can be up to 25 vehicles, if you include its protection. It’s a big beast. But the dozen-or-so SVs can carry all the supplies you need, including spares.

Lets have a look at each:
Read 20 tweets
Will Meddings Profile picture
7 Dec 21
#Miltwitter can be an echo chamber.

So if you are interested in #peacekeeping or the protection of civilians in conflict…

here’s a🧵 of 8 accounts I found useful to follow over the last year that will help prepare you for human security operations.
Who: @CivCenter
Centre for Civilians in Conflict

• reports
• analysis
• links to the wider protection of civilians community

Useful thread: how #COVID19 affected civilian protection activity around the world.
Who: @PDWilliamsGWU
Professor of international affairs, talking peace operations, Africa and the UN.

• Somalia analysis
• Ethiopia commentary
• UN peacekeeping activity

Useful thread: aims of, and comments on, the UN’s #SouthKorea Ministerial.
Read 11 tweets
Will Meddings Profile picture
24 Oct 21
How was your weekend?

Yesterday the LRRG arrived into camp after a tough 500km patrol to the far east of #Mali.

During the patrol we came across two armed men who chosen to open fire on us. In the resulting firefight both were killed.

A🧵. 1/
thesun.co.uk/news/16486348/…
It happened as the LRRG was patrolling across a huge stretch of rarely-visited terrain.

One of the important roles we carry out - being where armed groups don’t expect us.
2/
When we move, the force spreads itself out to find settlements, routes, and the armed bandits and terrorists who target the population.

In this case, the two armed men were travelling on a motorcycle across rolling desert and scrub.

When they saw us they quickly fled.
3/
Read 10 tweets
Will Meddings Profile picture
22 Aug 21
An update from UK ops in #Mali: Two weeks ago an armed group committed an atrocious killing of over 50 civilians in the villages around Outagouna. The #Malian Army and Nigerien troops from @UN_MINUSMA were first on the scene. We were not far behind.

A 🧵

theguardian.com/world/2021/aug…
The 🇬🇧LRRG is 250-strong, but it isn’t designated as a QRF.

Yet we can move fast and stay deployed on the ground for a month at a time, providing security for longer than most.
Outtagouna is around 150km from Gao. So the first phase was getting south. We received the news in the middle of the night and were moving 250 soldiers South first thing the next morning.

It wasn’t long before we were outside the town.
Read 11 tweets
Will Meddings Profile picture
28 Apr 21
Medevac is one of the most common training events of the @UN_MINUSMA mission rehearsal we are doing.

Here’s a bit more about the medical chain we’ve got. 1/11
First, every team has a Team Medic. Normally you’d train 1 per 4 person team, but given we’ve gone for 1 in 2. Double the medical provision.

Team medics provide care in the first 10 minutes.
2/11
Next in line is the Combat Medical Practioner or CMT.

Each company/squadron has a couple of these. Professional RAMC medics, they move with the Sgt Maj or in the Ridgeback ambulance.

Medical care within the first hour.
3/11
Read 14 tweets

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