Page 21 - Bugle Autumn 2023

One for the framers. Members of VI Platoon, B Company pose for the cameras
Tactical pause – Riflemen enjoy light refreshments in a break in the fighting
Observing Arcs – a Riflemen keeps watch over the barrel of his GPMG
3 RIFLES
Ex ORION saw the 3 RIFLES’ battlegroup deploy from Edinburgh in April to France for a month of mechanised infantry manoeuvre. This exercise occurs every three years and involves over 12,500 troops from across NATO and simulates the defence of the French mainland following an incursion.
For 3 RIFLES this deployment provided a unique opportunity to exercise overseas with our MASTIFFs, and to fight in an urban environment. We lived and fought through towns filled with friendly French citizens, whilst defending the highways, canals and rivers of the region against an enemy. The complexity of a free-flowing enemy and having to operate in amongst farmland and rural communities was a refreshing challenge and tremendous opportunity to demonstrate our skills, after a hard-fought training progression throughout the winter.
We patrolled the towns, being greeted by our French hosts with crepês and goodwill, and frequently being accommodated in their barns or townhalls, like our forebears before us. When we were not engaged in anti-armour ambushes against the enemy tanks, caffeine and croissants were the order of the day.
Because of the push for driver and commander qualifications, most of the dismounted (Section) commanders were Lance Corporals. These step-up opportunities allowed us to prepare for forthcoming JNCO cadres, and for those who promoted last
summer to test their mettle.
Ex ORION challenged us in a congested
environment, whilst interacting with friendly locals, and demonstrating our tactical acumen in a rapidly changing complex scenario. The Riflemen relished the challenge, and demonstrated how competent we are in our mechanised role.
Lance Corporal Keogh, B Company
On Ex ORION, Support Company worked in combat teams; mixing assets from different platoons to create a well-rounded force. We used the Jackal vehicle for greater speed
and manoeuvrability to provide Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance anti-armour and support capabilities to the wider Battle Group.
We conducted training that we do not
get the opportunity to do very often, such as vehicle river crossings by boat, working at
the battle group level with other nations and operating in a Chemical Biological Radiological
We patrolled the towns, being greeted by our French hosts with crepês and goodwil
and Nuclear environment from a mounted platform. As well as working mostly on French private land. This meant we were often driving through small French villages and parking up in farmers’ barns.
Some of the problems we encountered on the exercise were identifying friendly forces from the other nations as the vehicles our allies used were the same as the Enemy’s. Even though this was difficult and frustrating at times, it was realistic training that we adapted to.
The dynamic of working in small teams worked well. Everyone knows their role in
the Jackal and is trusted to carry out their job which encourages free thinking and individual ownership and makes a higher standard of soldier.
Overall, I found the training extremely valuable and it was a great experience for the Riflemen as we were able to participate in training that we would be unable to do in the UK. Rfn Ross, Recce Platoon 3 RIFLES.
RIFLES The Bugle 21
A RIFLE COMPANY PERSPECTIVE
FIRE-SUPPORT COMPANY PERSPECTIVE