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1RIFLES have had a busy and exciting year having conducted a unit move to British Forces Cyprus (BFC) assuming
the role of Regional Stand-by Battalion (RSB) for the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA) in Dhekelia – a significant change from their previous 17 years at Beachley Barracks in Chepstow.
Making the move between Jun-Aug 23, they took over Alexander Bks from 2 R Anglian, and the unit have grown strength- to-strength within this role whilst making the most of the ‘Cyprus Offer.’
As the RSB for ESBA, the Bn have been involved with several taskings and exercises: seeing them deploy on Short Term Training Teams (STTTs) to Tunisia, an OTX to Oman, and a Joint Forces Amphibious exercise with the Royal Marines; in addition to providing local engagement serials with anti-poaching assistance to the local Police Forces.
In the context of Physical Development, the Rfn have fully engaged with what Cyprs has to offer from the Commander British Forces’ (CBF’S) Sports Trophy through to new PT serials such a beach PT and the implementation of the new Brecon Risk Reduction Exercise; all of which hold their own nuances with the main obvious one being the management of heat illness and acclimatisation PT.
1ST BATTALION THE RIFLES
SSgt (SSI) A Spencer RAPTC
One of the more popular areas of the ‘Cyprus Offer’ has to be the availability to partake in stacks of on-island Adventurous Training; ranging from Sub-Aqua Diving, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Sea Kayaking and, of course, the Parachute Centre where they can learn how to free-fall through to taking their families for tandem jumps away from the normal working routine.
What’s next for 1 RIFLES? Well, 1 LANCS are prepping for their unit move back to the UK and this will see 1 PWRR taking over the Resident Infantry Battalion (RIB) in the West Sovereign Based Area (WSBA), and this will see 1 RIFLES assume the COB role in summer 2024. This will see the Bn heavily involved with high- profile security responsibilities across the Island, manning critical infrastructure and locations. This will be a different challenge from what they have experienced in their first year on-island, but one the troops are looking forward to for increased stability for those Rfn who have their families on-island with them.
In the blink of an eye, the chain of command are now in the planning stages for our next Op HALIFAX move which will see the unit return to Beachley Barracks dring May-Aug 25; with 4 SCOTS taking over the role of the RIB across the ESBA until summer 27.
SSgt (SSI) Spencer RAPTC
In summary, a ‘sunshine tour’ this has not been, but an exciting role that 1 RIFLES have managed with professionalism and, overall, are looking forward to their return to the UK which will see them re-role from a Light Role into a Light Mech Role.
Sjt Smith leading the Hero WoD Competition on CO’s PT
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1 RIFLES Cyprus Rugby 7’s Team