124 It also put 8/12 squarely in the lime light to undergo significant changes as it trialled a complete restructure. 101 BTY collapsed its gun line, redistributing its gunners and equipment to 102 and 103. 101 BTY would retain it’s JFT’s, using them instead as a brigade asset, specifically the Force Recon Battery, in a 1-year trial in order to assess its effectiveness in this new role. 103 BTY received two guns from 101 as well as two detachment’s worth of members on the 26th April. With the move into Littoral operations, brainstorming was underway on how to operate an M777 in an island-hopping scheme. Adding to the complexity, there was the additional goal of operating in a GPS-denied environment with as little electronic signature as possible. The training was set out to be complex, unproven and completely experimental. Previous iterations of 103 Battery had brainstormed littoral operations, but the records were lost, leaving the current battery to start from scratch. There was a huge year ahead. And lots to get done. The regiment hit the ground running and as part of the high tempo, 103 BTY lead the regiment in upskilling all soldiers on every existing weapon system available to gunners. 103 JNCOs instructed courses on all small arms from SL40, 84mm, 66mm, MAG58 and 9mm in March, culminating in qualifying practices in KFTA for the entire regiment. Newer 103 members also attended upskilling courses such as driving qualifications and advanced guns. Hardly a soul could be seen at the battery during this time. With courses galore and training opportunities it was a rocky and difficult start of the year for any members who were already fully qualified. For JNCOs in the battery it was a momentously difficult time.
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