Page 41 - Bugle Autumn 2023

6 RIFLES
FALKLAND ISLANDS OP FIRIC
For four months Rfn Bradley from and I deployed as part of the Falkland Islands Roulement Infantry Company (FIRIC).
The lead unit for the deployment was 3rd Battalion the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (3 PWRR), and our company was fortunate enough to contain several Riflemen from 6, 7 and 8 RIFLES and our Regular counterparts from 3 and 5 RIFLES.
I was lucky enough to be selected as a Section Commander for the entire operational deployment. This opened an immediate vacancy for a section second-in-command and Rfn Bradley was swift to volunteer for what he viewed as a great opportunity to learn and progress.
One of the Company’s main tasks was to routinely patrol the Falkland Islands and deter any unwanted activities, particularly potential Argentine interference and infiltration. These vital patrols entailed a section strength unit being rapidly Heli-lifted to a remote and inhospitable area of the Islands, after which the team would live and operate on the local farmer’s land for the entire week. The patrols were an amazing opportunity to get out into the rugged and vast wilderness of the Islands. Encountering wildlife other than sheep that we are not used to was certainly an unexpected bonus. Patrolling and bumping into up to three species of penguin hammered home what a truly different environment we were operating in. During our free time we put the effort in to help the farmers work their land.
On one particularly memorable patrol we
helped a local farmer construct an entirely new house and since a lot of the section have construction backgrounds in their civilian lives, the end result was far better than initially expected. In return the farmer allowed the section to shelter for the night in his sheep sheering shed, which was infinitely more comfortable than harbouring up on the wet and windy peat bog. He even invited us to a meal before we departed to thank us.
In between these patrols, when we were back on camp, there were a number of crucial tasks to complete, but the most important was forming the Quick Reaction Force (QRF). The QRF manned the operations room, carried out radio checks with the sections, deployed on patrol, dealt with any communications issues, plotted patrol locations, and highlighted any issues to the chain of command. Regular practice drills were conducted on the base and that included bomb threat drills, during which the QRF’s role was to cordon off roads and control traffic and personnel access. The QRF also had the task of escorting VIP visitors to the island.
Any time we weren’t either deployed on patrol or acting as the QRF, we were training. The Falkland Islands offer some fantastic training opportunities and we were able
to conduct some superb Live Fire Tactical Training we had not experienced before. Using aircraft flying above, the RAF were
able to simulate air support, adding a level
of realism we had not thus far experienced. One training opportunity allowed us to work
During our free time we put the effort in to help the farmers work their land
alongside our colleagues in the RAF and conduct Close Quarter Battle drills with both the RAF Regiment and military dog handlers. It was beneficial to experience the capabilities of other units, with the dog handlers proving particularly helpful and an asset we have not had access to previously.
In our down time we had access to a bar, gym, bowling alley and even cinema on site. Overall, it was an interesting and rewarding experience and a very different type of deployment when compared to our previous deployment to Cyprus on OP TOSCA in the midst of Covid-19.
LCpl Poole A Coy
6 RIFLES SHARPSHOOTER CADRE, WILLSWORTHY RANGES 15-19 MAY 23
THE PERFECTION OF THE BASICS
The application of correct marksmanship principles and using a variety of positions up to 600 metres
RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE
The top shot of the week receiving a reward from the Commanding Officer
HIGHLY MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALS
9 newly qualified sharpshooters throughout 6 RIFLES, many of which will now be moving on to JNCO cadres in the coming months
A DIFFERENT BEAST
The L129A1 sharpshooter rifle packs a punch with its high- performance 7.62 round
RIFLES The Bugle 41