Report Author: JP Dixon

Unit: Overland Guide Association (OGA)

Operation: Joint RAF Mountain Rescue / Bowland MRT Exercise

Date/Time Group: 18:00 hrs Friday to 17:00 hrs Saturday

Weather: Cold, saturated, visibility poor, morale high

Classification: TRAINING – DEBRIEF FOR INTERNAL DISTRIBUTION

1. SITUATION

At 18:00 hrs Friday, OGA operatives Kelvyn “Skee” and JP “Dixon” deployed to the Trough of Bowland MRT base. Mission brief: minimal. Intelligence: sparse. One thing certain—nobody except the team leader knew what chaos awaited.

RAF Mountain Rescue personnel were billeted in an undisclosed alternate accommodation. Spirits were high. Suspicion low. Rain… inevitable.

2. MISSION PROFILE

Primary Objective (Phase 1):

Locate and extract two downed pilots from an aircraft believed crashed along Forest of Bowland and sounding areas.

Secondary Objectives:

• Test joint interoperability between RAF + Mountain Rescue Units

• Stress-test DRCABCDE protocols under realistic field conditions

• Assess endurance of OGA operatives sleeping in wet moss for extended periods( apparently). 

3. EXECUTION

Phase 1 – Downed Aircrew Scenario

19:00 hrs – OGA operatives JP and Kelvyn, with two Calder MRT chaperones, commenced a 2 km insertion over peat-heavy, ankle-twisting terrain. Weather transitioned from wet to wetter.

Position established: Reverse slope in the Trough.

Status: Dug in. Waiting. Wet but warm and cosy in a large group shelter protected from the ground- until the rescuers are near and then out in the cold do reel) 

For several hours we maintained concealment as the combined RAF/MRT search line swept the area within the flight plan. Visibility was approximately 30m horizontally, 20m vertically. Strobes, cries for help all swallowed by dense clag.

00:30hrs – Search team approached within range. Strobes activated. Contact established.

Casualty roles:

• JP – Pelvic fracture, femur fracture, left ankle injury, hypothermic

• Kelvyn – Severe head injury, classic Battle’s sign, failing GCS, Cushing’s Triad → critical

Mountain Rescue teams executed initial assessment with high proficiency, mirroring OGA’s own DRCABCDE protocols. Environmental risks identified immediately. Treatment initiated.

Despite excellent casualty management, prognosis for Kelvyn’s simulated injuries remained grim. Cerebral compression overwhelmed him. CPR called over radio at approx. 02:00 hrs.

The radio announcement sent a chill through even the most experienced team members. Exercise for Phase 1 terminated.

Extraction commenced. Terrain consisted of moss mounds, bog pits, and uneven ground—all with ankle-snapping potential. A ready walk back at 03:00 to awaiting landrovers. 

Arrival back at base was met with the universal truth:

“Hot drink solves everything.”
Three to four hours’ sleep achieved (on paper).

Phase 2 – Sponsored Hiker Incident

Objective:
Two poorly prepared hikers missing overnight on the fells.

Actual casualty condition: Hypothermic, ill-equipped, minimal layers only for one and lower egg injury for other.
(Realistic, because OGA operative staged it by stripping to base layers in 9°C wind with 20 km/h gusts.)

12:00hrs – OGA operatives deployed to hillside 500–700 m from access track. Conditions: exposed, cold, mild but with increase cloud and eventual fading light the rescue was going to get harder. 

14:00 hrs – SARLOCK activation triggered via Kelvyn’s phone, directing teams to our exact position.

Multiple MRT teams arrived in excellent form.

Treatment commenced using robust DRCABCDE approach. Environmental management prioritized—group shelters, insulated mats, casualty bags deployed.

JP’s hypothermia (real and simulated) was convincingly obvious. Aggressively uncontrollable shivering was clear indicator of hypothermia onset. Heated base layer provided secret and blissful relief, which halted the cold shivering. Slowing the operative to remain safely within the simulation. 

Splinting and packaging of Kelvyn’s tib/fib was undertaken methodically. Casualties prepared for extraction.

Stretcher phase:

Duration approx. 1–1.5 hours

Terrain: Slippery sandstone, saturated ground, steep recessions

Bodyweights: Described generously as “heavy individuals” we know who they are really talking about. 

Teams rotated frequently, demonstrating excellent load-sharing and pacing discipline. Despite challenging conditions, teamwork remained solid.

4. OUTCOME

  • Casualties safely delivered from hill at approx. 17:00 hrs
  • All personnel accounted for
  • Radios used efficiently
  • SOPs enacted professionally
  • No real casualties sustained
  • Dignity and core temperature both fluctuated but survived

5. OBSERVATIONS & LEARNING POINTS

Search challenges:

Trauma realism:

• Kelvyn’s head injury scenario presented a fatal prognosis, reinforcing serious limitations of prolonged rescue windows in hostile terrain

• Hypothermia risk drove most decision-making

Team performance:

Terrain impact:

6. CONCLUSION

Operation Salter Fell was a resounding success, testing all involved across physical, environmental, and tactical domains. The combination of RAF Mountain Rescue, local MRT teams, and our OGA casualty realism provided an immersive training environment.

The volunteers of Bowland  MRT and the RAF Mountain Rescue Unit demonstrated exceptional professionalism, calm under pressure, and strong teamwork. Their commitment, skill, and operational discipline remain an asset to the region.

OGA is proud to support these teams and remains ready to collaborate in future exercises, delivering high-quality casualty simulation and clinical insight.

7. FINAL NOTES (Unofficial)

End of Report

Filed: Completed