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Equipment Support remains separate from the other logistic pillar of
Service Support and consequently the REME has retained not only its
own identity but expanded its responsibilities. Equipment Support
encompasses equipment management, engineering support, supply
management, provisioning for vehicle and technical spares and
financial management responsibilities for in service equipment.
During early 2009 the REME had a regular Army establishment of some
9,895 personnel and a strength of 9,390.
ROLE
The aim of the REME is ‘To keep operationally fit equipment in the
hands of the troops’ and in the current financial environment it is
important that this is carried out at the minimum possible cost. The
equipment that REME is responsible for ranges from small arms and
trucks to helicopters and main battle tanks. All field force units
have some integral REME support (1st line support) which will vary,
depending on the size of the unit and the equipment held, from a few
attached tradesmen up to a large Regimental Workshop of over 200
men. In war REME is responsible for the recovery and repair of
battle damaged and unserviceable equipment.
The development of highly technical weapon systems and other
equipment has meant that REME has had to balance engineering and
tactical considerations. On the one hand the increased scope for
forward repair of equipment reduces the time out of action, but on
the other hand engineering stability is required for the repair of
complex systems.
Seven REME Equipment
Support Battalions have been established. Six of these battalions
provide second line support for the Reaction and Adaptable
Divisions. An Equipment Support Aviation Battalion in the UK
supports 16 Air Assault Brigade.
We estimate that during late 2015 the REME had a total of about
9,000 regular personnel.
|
Regular Unit |
Role |
Location |
| 1 Close Support Battalion |
Supports 102 Logistic Bde |
Catterick |
| 2 Close Support Battalion |
Supports 102 Logistic Bde |
Leuchars |
| 3 Armoured Close Support
Battalion |
Supports 101 Logistic Bde |
Tidworth (2017 - from
Paderborn - Germany) |
| 4 Armoured Close Support
Battalion |
Supports 101 Logistic Bde |
Tidworth |
| 5 Force Support Battalion |
Supports 101 Logistic Bde |
Cottesmore |
| 7 (Air Assault) Battalion |
Supports 16 Air Assault Bde |
Wattisham |
|
Reserve Unit |
HQ Location |
Sqn Location |
| 101 Battalion REME |
Wrexham |
Prestatyn, Liverpool,
Manchester, West Bromwich, Telford |
| 102 Battalion REME |
Newton Aycliffe
|
Newcastle upon Tyne,
Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Sheffield, Newton Aycliffe |
| 103 Battalion REME |
Crawley |
Croydon, Portsmouth,
Ashford, Bexleyheath, Barnett, Brentwood |
| 104 Battalion REME |
Northampton |
Corby, Coventry,
Redditch, Swindon, Nottingham, Derby |
| 105 Battalion REME |
Bristol |
Yeovil, Taunton,
Gloucester, Bristol, Bridgend, Cwmbran |
| 106 Battalion REME |
East Kilbride |
Belfast, Lisburn,
Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Grangemouth |
| Note: With
the exception of 101 Battalion these battalions are
paired with regular REME battalions. |
REME EQUIPMENT
SUPPORT BATTALION
The Close Support Company will normally
deploy a number of FRGs (Forward Repair Groups) and MRGs (Medium
Repair Groups) in support of brigades. The company is mobile with
armoured repair and recovery vehicles able to operate in the forward
areas, carrying out forward repair of key nominated equipment often
by the exchange of major assemblies. It is also capable of carrying
out field repairs on priority equipment including telecommunications
equipment, and the repair of damage sustained by critical battle
winning equipments.
The role of the General Support Company is to support the Close
Support Companies and Divisional Troops. Tasks include the
regeneration of fit power packs for use in forward repair and the
repair of equipment back loaded from Close Support Companies. The
General Support Company will normally be located to the rear of the
divisional area in order to maximise productivity and minimise
vulnerability.
REME LAD (Light Aid Detachment)
Major divisional units have their own REME support organisation
generally called the LAD which can vary in size from about 60 to 120
personnel. Usually commanded by a Captain, LADs are capable of quick
repairs at the point of failure.
In manpower terms the REME LAD support available to the units of a
division might resemble the following:
| Armoured Regiment (T56)
|
120 |
| Armoured Cavalry Regiment
|
90 |
| Armoured Infantry Battalion
|
90 |
| Close Support Engineer
Regiment |
85 |
| Field Regiment Royal
Artillery |
115
|
| Air Defence Regiment Royal
Artillery |
160 |
| Army Air Corps Regiment |
130 |
| Signals Regiment |
60 |
| RLC Logistic Support
Regiment |
75 |
|
