Exercise SPITFIRE ADVENTURE 23 was a 20 Works Group Royal Engineers (Air Support) canoeing expedition which took place on the Green River, Moab, Utah, from 9 – 24 Sep 23. The main aim of the exercise / Expedition (Exped), which were successfully met were to:
a. To develop teamwork, leadership and confidence in a challenging and remote environment, under controlled risks.
b. To deliver, through Distributed Training (DT), the Open Canoe 2* Foundation (O2F) qualification to all participating personnel.
c. Allow instructors to gain logbook experience of delivering DT and leading multiple day expeditions.
d. Provide 20 Works Group Royal Engineer experience in organising an overseas Adventure Training exercise.
The exercise involved personnels predominantly from within 20 Works Group RE, however, canoe instructors from the Royal Logistic Corps and wider Royal Air Force supported the event. The preparatory training for the students in terms of kit issue and allocation, briefs etc were conducted in the UK, prior deployment. There was a Forces Health Protection Brief (FHPB), identification of risks and the mitigation put in place made known and briefed to every participant of the Exped. Prior to the execution phase of the Exped, the participants were briefed on the rules and regulations of the Canyonland national park and Green River in Moab, Utah, by the instructors and the kit hire company, Tex`s Riverways. This training and preparation phase was deemed by all attendees to be adequate and well received.
Expedition
Day D-2 (9 Sep 23). The Expedition group convened together in RAF Wittering, and made the journey to London Heathrow, via coach. The group was divided into 2 different chalks, both flying into Las Vegas via different routes; namely Los Angeles and Denver. After a long trans-Atlantic flight from UK, the team arrived Las Vegas late evening, and occupied allocated rooms within the self – catering accommodation.
Day D-1. (10 Sep 23). The day started with breakfast followed by briefing on the Main Event List (MEL), ‘rules of the road’, groups division and the road move to Moab, Utah. The drivers and co- drivers were delegated and briefed on travel times, taking adequate breaks and stops, prior to commencing the journey. The hire cars were then collected, and the team promptly left Las Vegas for the 460 miles journey to Moab. Although long, the drive was particularly pleasant, and no issues were encountered. The difference in the land scape and features were very significant compared to that in the UK – every moment was a picture taking moment.
Day 1 (11 Sep 23). Owing to the instructors’ remit to instruct the whole phase of the Exped in one go, the group of 15 was divided into 2 different groups. According to the change in plan, the first group of 8 (including Open Canoe Leader 4 Star (O4L) instructor) was to deploy 5 days to commence 60 miles of canoeing in the Green River while the other group (6 participants, 1 Open Canoe Leader Training (O4T)) was to conduct similar training in nearby Ken`s lake for 5 days. The day started with briefing by the instructors and the Expedition leader on the group break down, the main event list of both groups, reinstating risk, the health and safety, medical planning and evacuation plans, kit preparation and all other covering the key learning points (KLPs) included in the Distributive Training (DT) for O2F qualification. The group then moved to Tex`s Riverways where all the kit and equipment required for the Expedition was hired from. Both groups were allocated canoes, all kit and equipment which was loaded on to the vehicles and trailers in order to conduct training and execute Exped efficiently the following morning. Tex`s Riverways guides briefed us on the do`s and don’ts during the Exped phase in Green River and normal kit and equipment care. Both groups late went into the local market to buy provisions i.e. food and drinks to last the next 5 days in the Green River.
Day 2 (12 Sep 23). Day 2 saw Group 1 leaving Tex`s Riverways for the Start point of their first day in the Green River, Crystal Geyser under the lead Instructor, Sgt Richard Monk. Meanwhile group 2 headed towards nearby Ken`s lake for their canoeing skills training under Maj Andrew Gifford, Gp 2 instructor.
Group 1 covered 12 miles in the Green River and camped for the night in Anvil Bottom. A comms check with the group was conducted by the Exped Leader, SSgt Gurung at a designated time, where progress of the group and weather update for the following night and next day was briefed to the instructor in the river. The Satellite phone carried out by the Lead instructor was very efficient in relaying short messages while signal was often lost due to the remoteness of the campsite, beside the riverbank in the Green River. Meanwhile, Group 2 back in Ken`s lake conducted basic drills of safely loading, unloading and securing canoes on the trailer for transition. The instructor went through basic paddle strokes i.e. forward, draw etc along with safely embark and disembark on to the canoes which proved very handy during the Green river phase. Group 2 stayed in the campsite, Sun outdoors until the changeover on the 5th day of the Expedition phase. CILOR grant was used for meals where participants cooked their favourite meal of choice every day.
Day 3 (13 Sep 23). Day 3 saw Group 1 canoe 12 miles into the Green River from Anvil Bottom to Mile 86 point on the river. Due to the forecast of heavy rain, thunder and lightning, the group used most of the time to conduct training before weather closing in. Group 2 conducted training in Ken`s lake where they went through CLAP (Communication, Line of Sight, Avoidance, position) which was later practiced to perfection. The group also learnt towing canoe to avoid obstacles and river rapids.
Day 4 (14 Sep 23). On Day 4, Group 1 started the Exped from Mile 86 point into the famous Bowknot Bend covering circa 16 miles in the Green River. Meanwhile, Group 2 in Ken`s Lake, practiced backward stroke, J stroke along with transition from Tandem to solo canoeing. As novice, the training in Ken`s lake was found significantly important where J stroke came in use during solo canoeing. Stand up paddle (SUP) boarding which is one of famous paddle boarding sports was practiced on canoes for confidence built up during the day.
Day 5 (15 Sep 23). The day was split into morning and afternoon details as it was the day for the groups to swap turns from river to lake and vice versa. Group 2 took a bus shuttle arranged by Tex`s Riverways to meet up Group 1 in Mineral Bottom, the start point for Group 2 in the Green River. Meanwhile, Group 1 did their last leg of canoeing from Bow knot bend to Mineral Bottom where the two groups met in the afternoon. With occupying the canoe and all kit loaded on board, Group 2 made their first leg of the canoeing Exped in the green river. All the skills learnt in Ken`s lake came in very handy whilst in the river where the group paddled circa 12 miles and camped for the night. Group 1, however, took the shuttle back to Tex`s riverways and made their transition from Green river into Ken`s lake practicing skills under Capt Mukungunugwa (CI2). Comms check and weather update was conducted by the Exped 2IC on the pre-arranged time. Group 1 camped in the Campsite; Sun outdoors, meanwhile, Group 2 camped alongside the riverbank.
Day 6 (16 Sep 23). During the 6th day of the Exped, Group 2 paddled another 12 miles into the stretch of Green River. There were many historic and scenic viewpoints and places of interest along the way which the group paid visit to i.e. Fort Bottom ruin which was within the close proximity from the river bank campsite. There were many wildlife and birds encountered enroute, along the riverside. Back in Ken`s lake, Group 1 conducted similar skills enhancing training and used most of their time, learning in a slow time. Avoiding and tackling of obstacles was very impressive skills that incorporated all paddling techniques learnt, this was very much enjoyed by the participants. Group2 camped alongside the Green riverbank whereas Group 1 stayed in the campsite.
Day 7 (17 Sep 23). The 7th day in Green river marked completion of 84 miles collectively by both the groups. The scenic view of the landscapes and opening of the Grand Canyon was very picturesque, where group would raft up and enjoy few moments praising the sight. Group 1 in the other hand conducted recovery and capsize drills in Ken`s lake. Group 2 camped out in the riverbank whereas Group 1 stayed in the camping site.
Day 8 (18 Sep 23). During the 8th day of the Exped, Gp 2, paddled another 12 miles into Green river whereas Gp 1 enhanced their solo canoeing skills in Ken`s lake. Gp 2 hiked up to nearby Turks Head which was one of the iconic features enroute to the Spanish Bottom of the Green River. Gp 2 camped along the riverbank whereas Gp 1 camped in the campsite in Moab.
Day 9 (19 Sep 23). Day 9 of the Exped saw Group 2, paddled 12 more miles marking 108 mile point in the Green river. Throughout the Exped in the Green River, there were occasions where “Pig of the day” was awarded to the individuals who messed up thing frequently despite the clear advice provided in terms of conducting the training safely. To our surprise, the instructors did at times lose their paddle in the river and was awarded the title. The plastic pig was found in the Green river by one of the participants and the trend carried on until the end of the whole Exped. Group 1, in Ken`s lake conducted solo canoeing skills under the CI2 instructor. In the evening, Group 2 hiked up to the nearest settlements which was marked as a site to visit in the vicinity of the campsite. Group 2 camped along the riverside banks whereas Group 1 camped in the campsite.
Day 10 (20 Sep 23). The last day of the canoeing Exped ended up in the Confluence where the Green River and the Colorado river meets up, covering 120 miles in total by both the groups. This was the point upto where canoeing was possible as recreation as past this point were followed by the rapids of the Colorado river. Group 2 was picked up by Tex`s Riverways` jet shuttle and was transported back to Potash Bottom, a 2-hour ride on the jet boat, followed by a bus shuttle to Tex`s riverways. Meanwhile, Group 1, conducted few trainings in Ken`s lake before handing the canoes back to Tex`s Riverways. Both groups got together in Sun outdoors campsite where they were briefed by the instructors for the DT in order to achieve O2F. The road move back to Las Vegas was also briefed by the Expedition leader later that afternoon. It was then followed by group meal in a restaurant marking the end of our time training for O2F in Moab, Utah. The group stayed in the campsite for the evening before making the epic journey to Las Vegas, the following morning.
Recovery (21-23 Sep 23). After spending unforgiving and gruelling hot days in Moab`s heat, total of 11 days either in Ken`s lake or Green River, it was time to recovery and head back home. On 21 Sep 23, the group drove from Moab, Utah to Las Vegas via Hoover Dam, an iconic example of extreme engineering excellence and the site never to miss in Nevada. The group spent time on the Hoover dam before heading back into the self-catering accommodation. The allocated rooms were occupied, then it was down time for the participants until flying back from Las Vegas to London Heathrow on 23 Sep 23.
