On March 14, 2025, UK ISAR conducted a critical no-notice exercise, dubbed Exercise Lemur, at the MFRS Training & Development Academy. This exercise focused on testing the mobilisation of UK ISAR personnel, particularly from an administration perspective, in response to a simulated international emergency.
Objective of Exercise Lemur
The core objective of Exercise Lemur was to evaluate how the UK ISAR Admin Team would respond to the rapid mobilisation of personnel during an unexpected crisis. The scenario involved a devastating earthquake (8.1 MW) in Madagascar, requiring urgent international assistance. The aim was to produce a comprehensive team list, including passport information, deployment roles, and skills for all nominated personnel in a very short timeframe.
Challenges Faced
As a no-notice exercise, the admin team faced several challenges, beginning with being moved out of their usual office and having to work offsite. The team had limited access to the internal network and was forced to rely on WiFi, which led to connectivity issues for some members. Additionally, they had to adapt to working on smaller laptop screens instead of their usual large dual-monitor setup. These conditions simulated a real-life deployment scenario, where team members might have to work in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Despite these challenges, the team worked collaboratively and adapted quickly to overcome the obstacles. Their ability to remain calm, think creatively, and support one another throughout the exercise was a testament to the strength of the UK ISAR team.
Conclusion
Exercise Lemur was a highly successful drill that provided invaluable insight into how UK ISAR can improve mobilisation processes, strengthen team cohesion, and better support personnel during international operations. Despite the challenges posed by the no-notice scenario and technical issues, the admin team’s ability to adapt and maintain focus demonstrated the professionalism and resilience that UK ISAR relies on.
