Page 15 - Bugle Autumn 2023

working through a variety of notional scenarios based on previous experiences in the Central African Republic. UK personnel were split between the Company CPs and the Battalion Tactical Operations Centre (TOC), helping to coach them through a variety of serials including the medical evacuation
of Zambian soldiers and the escort of humanitarian aid. Throughout there was an emphasis on streamlining the communication processes of the headquarter elements and the building of the intelligence picture to inform future activities.
Outside of the delivery of training, as
with any capacity building task, there was a significant amount of defence engagement activity. The team attended the British High Commission’s coronation event for the crowning of King Charles, providing a military presence at a high-profile occasion. The team was also asked by the Commandant of KKPTC to discuss the importance of British military contributions to ZAMBATT with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix, during
his visit to KKPTC for the International Day
The enthusiasm and willingness to learn from
the Zambian soldiers made the experience highly enjoyable
of United Nations Peacekeepers. Mr Lacroix keenly expressed the value that training teams such as the one provided by 2 RIFLES add to peacekeeping efforts throughout Africa.
Overall, the team relished their experience in Zambia with many expressing their desire to return on subsequent missions of ZAMBATT. The enthusiasm and willingness to learn from the Zambian soldiers made the experience highly enjoyable for the team and all will return to the UK with a greater understanding of the role UN peacekeepers play in maintaining human security throughout Africa. Lt J.C. Cuthbertson RM, OC 9 Platoon, C Coy
for the team
2 RIFLES
Clearing complex buildings with skill
EX IBERIAN SUN
A Coy recently deployed to Valladolid, Spain on EX IBERIAN SUN. The annual exercise hosted this year in April and May saw UK and Spanish forces of the “Isabel la Catolica” Battalion closely integrate to achieve mission success.
Both nations detached units to work within the other’s chain of command, completing a series of challenging urban and trench assaults, before culminating in the two partner forces completing a Battlegroup advance to contact. LCpl Boden said: ‘It was really fun to have them alongside us and we got on really well together. The language barrier wasn’t really as big an issue as I thought it would be. Throughout the exercise, it became clear that our tactics were very similar, and this made it easy to work alongside one another.’
Each unit gave the other demonstrations on their kit and equipment, with A Coy choosing to show off one particularly unique piece of kit, the sword. On Thursday evening, the Riflemen were visited by the UK Ambassador to Spain and conducted a demonstration attack alongside the Spanish forces on to a series of trench positions. The Riflemen had the chance to meet the ambassador afterwards and many were pleased by his visible show of support for The Rifles.
With the exercise wrapped up the Company visited the battlefield of Salamanca, a place that holds deep significance to the regiment. The noise fell silent at the top of the greater Arapiles as we
conducted a sermon
for all those lost in the
battle. The day was
fondly remembered by
all involved and ended
a really enjoyable two
weeks on EX IBERIAN
SUN.
Lt D Bennett
OC 1 Platoon
A Company
Always time in the battle for a quick pic
Victorious Riflemen and moody skies
RIFLES The Bugle 15