Page 30 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

4 RIFLES
B COY: TRAINING CYCLE AND THE UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE EXERCISE 20-2 IN THE USA
B Company’s eight-month training cycle began in August 2020 and the highlight has been the Unconventional Warfare Exercise (UWEX). This type of exercise
is used by US partners as part of their pre-deployment training. B Company deployed on the second ever UWEX in September 2020 in the dense woodlands of Kentucky-Tennessee. The primary focus was on testing the Company’s ability to Advise, Assist, Accompany and Enable (A3E) a partner force in testing operational scenarios.
Prior to the deployment, B Company underwent initial conceptual and physical training in the UK, invigorated and eager to return to soldiering after two-and-a-half- months of dispersed working. The Company experienced an influx of new Riflemen from all over the regiment during the contin- gency phase and for many this was the first opportunity to meet in person. The time spent dispersed during lockdown was not wasted and the Company used it to develop a wide range of tactical and conceptual standard operating procedures to build a firm foundation from which to progress. The training cycle was devised to continue the development towards the A3E capability
and implementing a Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyse (F3EA) targeting cycle. This provided many in the Company with their first exposure to these concepts. The Company’s initial focus was setting the conditions for
a successful deployment and performance on UWEX 20-2 alongside our US
colleagues. The initial training concentrated on sharpening individual specialisms before moving onto collective training. This all built strong cohesion in the teams and was followed by three weeks of intense concep- tual training which honed the Company’s planning processes. This was firmly
tested by the Specialised Infantry Group Commander during Ex GREY SHARD, a week which involved a high level of concentration and little sleep! Following the rigorous testing of its conceptual ability, the Company turned its attention to the tactical application of soldiering by deploying on several exercises in the UK. This culminated with
an exercise on Salisbury Plain incorporating Chinook and Puma helicopters for Helicopter Assault Force (HAF) strikes onto objectives of varying complexity.
By early September, B Company were ready to deploy on UWEX 20-2. The exercise was very well resourced, and the Company used a broad range of assets including Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems, an Intelligence Cell, an Information Activities and Outreach Cell and a Divisional-level reconnaissance capability. These assets were drawn from across our wider Army force structure. The Company had to isolate for two weeks on arrival into the US, and rather than waste this period, they effec- tively managed thier time and improved low-level skills and integrated external assets. This was done so that the Task Group could
maximise effect during the exercise and showcased to Riflemen of all ranks what capabilities our wider divisional partners can offer; an eye-opening opportunity. To aid the A3E cycle, the Company
had a 50-strong partner force (provided by 5 Regiment Royal Artillery) to train and operate with. This allowed them to experience the friction of planning and executing complex operations alongside an unknown force whilst coordinating
a variety of assets. The Company conducted a variety of actions, including Ground Assault Force (GAF) and Heli- copter Assault Force (HAF) operations alongside partner forces in several different complex environments and scenarios. The use of the US training real estate added great value to the exercise, providing numerous different operating environments to test teams. The Company also exchanged tactics and operating procedures with our US allies. The six-week exercise was a rewarding and challenging experience and the Company returned to the UK with a sense of achievement. B Company’s focus is now on the refinement of the lessons learnt from UWEX and final preparations for deployments across the Middle East in 2021.
Capt Rex, B Coy
Team 8, B Company conduct a Helicopter Assault Force
30 RIFLES The Bugle
The time spent dispersed during lockdown was not wasted and the Company used it to develop
a wide range of tactical and conceptual standard operating procedures
B Company on an operation
using a US Humvee during UWEX 20-2
action with US Black Hawk Helicopters