Troops first in line for the British Army’s global response force have been testing their firepower in nearby Norfolk.

Known as the Pathfinders, the advance force for 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team is trained to infiltrate behind enemy lines and relay any information to assist mission planning.

After carrying out reconnaissance missions, Pathfinders can then use themselves as a strike force to support 16 Air Assault Brigade, as well as carry out raids on targets, and act as decoys in offensive missions.

Gazette: Highly trained – soldiers become the best of the bestHighly trained – soldiers become the best of the best

The Colchester-based troops, who were on the Stanford Training Area in Norfolk last week, practised fire and manoeuvre tactics during daylight.

After darkness fell, they then practised the use of protected patrol vehicles, which are mounted with heavy machine guns and grenade launchers machine guns.

Anti-tank missiles were also fired during the training sessions.

As the global response force, 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team is trained to be deployed by parachute, helicopter and air landing, so it can respond to global crises as quickly as possible.

Gazette: Load up – the battalion carries heavy weapons so it can fight its way out of situationsLoad up – the battalion carries heavy weapons so it can fight its way out of situations

It is one of the army’s most versatile regiments, consisting of both infantry and aviation specialists trained for both non-combat and fighting missions.

16 Air Assault Brigade is also used as part of evacuation efforts, and was deployed to Afghanistan in August last year to evacuate British citizens and vulnerable Afghans.

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A Pathfinders troop commander said: “Conducting reconnaissance missions in vehicles means we can operate deep into enemy territory to set the conditions for the main force.

“Firepower is always a last resort, but the weaponry we carry is much heavier than an enemy would be expecting reconnaissance troops to carry so we can fight ourselves out of any situation.

Gazette: Heavy weaponry – the battalion is trained to strike the enemy when they are least expecting itHeavy weaponry – the battalion is trained to strike the enemy when they are least expecting it

“It also means we can strike targets of opportunity when they are least expecting to be attacked.”

16 Air Assault Brigade works in particularly close partnership with US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, and the French Army’s 11th Brigade Parachutiste.