Watch this video all the way through, incredible moves by the Japanese fire rescue teams with their very cooperative casualties.
and then this one
It strikes me that for moving in an urban environment there is perhaps one or two things that can be learned from firefighters, especially the crazy Japanese types with their penchant for (ahem) ropes and knots.
Am sure they wouldn’t be as nimble with combat body armour, a million rounds of ammunition and all the other things infantry soldiers have to carry but it is still an impressive display of technique and fitness.
Henriksen are the market leader in assault ropes and ladder systems for urban and maritime environments, their carbon fibre multi-ladder for example.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89u4Fv93rHg
We already conduct ladder training for operations in a built up area, this is relatively common, but it is mostly low rise with very little tunnel or high rise work using combinations of ropes, mechanical ascenders and ladders.
The reality will not be lightweight coveralls and fancy knot work but working with large personal loads and protection equipment, combinations of tempo and safety considerations but I am convinced moving in a complex urban environment, with tunnels, sewers, bridges and multi-storey buildings is a skill we will need to develop across defence as the world increasingly urbanises.
It is not just for the black suited types.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW4IJdX_Ayk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5964mi3YsYc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOUYn6lezjA
I showed those videos to my dad (ex british fireman of thirty years service), and your comment about not carrying the same as a combat infantryman…. All he said was ‘Try doing it wearing proper fire clothing and BA (Breathing Apparatus)’… Then went off shaking his head…
He also made the point that they don’t look like standard issue ladders either- not having any levelling kit or stabilisation poles.
He’s got a point-
…He also pointed out the problems of heat exhaustion as well… Common enough in the US for them to be developing an air-conditioned suit… And becoming an increasing factor in the UK, with fire temperatures going up
All good points, am not saying we do the fancy footwork but that rope and ladder access is a skill that should be more widely available and perhaps there are things to learn and kit to evaluate in the fire fighting sector
Less than man-height ladders were used a lot in Afghanistan
… isn’t the 3rd guy from the left carrying one here?
http://ukdefenceforum.net/search.php?search_id=newposts
Barb, father was ex-fireman as well, those guys have my respect. During service, we carried our webbing and rifle for the obstacle course. The poor civil defence guys carried a hose-reel. In a heat retaining suit. Even then we thought “Better you than me bud”.
We might want to go parkour instead if we want to develop military tactics, the weight allowance is a bit more accurate. Though how you would be running around if someone is laying down suppressing fire near your location is questionable.