Aberdeenshire soldier returns from major jungle warfare exercise in Hawaii

Corporal Jack McGregor shares insights from a month-long military training in Hawaii.

Corporal Jack McGregor, a soldier from Aberdeenshire, has recently returned to Scotland after participating in a month-long jungle warfare exercise in Hawaii. This training, part of exercise JPMRC 25-01, involved 16 soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s 3rd Battalion (3 SCOTS), based in Fort George near Inverness. The exercise aimed to enhance military capabilities and strengthen ties among partner forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

International collaboration in military training

During the exercise, Corporal McGregor and his fellow soldiers worked alongside troops from the United States, Indonesia, and the Maldives. Over 1,000 soldiers participated in this significant event, which focused on improving combat readiness and regional security. The training included both offensive and defensive operations, simulating real-world combat scenarios that soldiers might face in various environments.

Enhancing logistics and combat capabilities

A crucial aspect of the training was the focus on “contested logistics.” This component ensured that soldiers could effectively provide and sustain essential supplies, such as ammunition, food, fuel, and medical support, even in situations where adversaries might attempt to disrupt operations.

The exercise was led by the Washington-based 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade (5th SFAB), which has developed a strong partnership with the Royal Regiment of Scotland through numerous joint exercises in the region.

Reflections on the training experience

Corporal McGregor, who previously completed a jungle warfare instructors course in Brunei, described his time in Hawaii as “quite an epic month.” He noted the unique environment and the importance of adapting to different combat scenarios. With ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, he emphasized the British Army’s readiness to respond to potential threats. “The main focus was to increase the survivability and lethality of real-time wartime situations,” he stated, reflecting on the exercise’s outcomes. “After the exercise, it was clear that both survivability and lethality had improved, making our time there worthwhile.”

Global military readiness

Corporal McGregor’s insights highlight the ongoing need for military preparedness in an unpredictable global landscape. “There’s always a real-time threat within the world, whether that’s somewhere in Europe or in the Indo-Pacific,” he remarked. The training in Hawaii not only enhanced the skills of the soldiers involved but also reinforced the importance of international cooperation in addressing security challenges.