Page 39 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

6 RIFLES
Set the table! The Commanding Officer and his team of liaison officers
hosting one of the key leader engagement events at Ledra Palace Hotel
Members of Ops Company conducting
routine patrolling in the Buffer Zone
with the focus switching to potential public order scenarios where we made best use of a bespoke Devon and Cornwall Police training facility nearby. Guest public order instructors arrived from the Mission Training and Mobilisa- tion Centre and guided us through challenging test serials before validating the battalion
and allowing us to progress onto the mission rehearsal exercise in Nescliffe.
The exercise commenced three weeks before we were scheduled to climb the aircraft steps in September, and this time all elements of the battlegroup were tested concurrently with RLS being kindly provided by 1 RIFLES. Rather surprisingly, the training area in Shropshire proved to be extremely similar to the ground in Cyprus and the exercise ably prepared us for our role in theatre. Shortly after deployment, we hosted a visit from Commander Strategic Command - our Colonel Commandant and we hope that we can host Commander British Forces Cyprus in Nicosia before the end of the tour – another Riflemen, proving we really do get everywhere! On Remembrance Sunday we hosted an event in Wayne’s Keep, a Commonwealth War Graves Association cemetery that is located inside the
Buffer Zone. The service that was attended by six Ambassadors, ten Defence Attachés and delegates from some thirteen nations!
Since our departure in September, it has been a difficult time for our families. The vast effects of COVID-19 has changed the nature of the deployment - adding a substantial four-week pre-arrival isolation split between
Members of Ops Company conducting
The visits officer briefing the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Finnish Foreign Minister
routine patrolling in the Buffer Zone
We hope that we can host Commander British Forces Cyprus in Nicosia before the end of the tour – another Riflemen, proving we
really do get everywhere!
Monitor and report.
the UK and Cyprus and extending the unbroken period away from loved ones to seven months. Not surprisingly, the Riflemen and Rangers have risen to the challenge without complaint and have knuckled down to the job in hand. We have continued to engage with our families and we have been hosting regular virtual evenings to update them with the ‘goings on’ from theatre - even more so over the Christmas period.
The battalion is due to hand over to 6 Regt RLC in April and has begun planning the homecoming parade, followed by a family orientated reception in Wyvern Barracks where there will be activities and entertain- ment for our guests on the 22nd May 21.
We look forward to seeing everyone there, hopefully, in a few months time.
Capt George Harrison
Just one example of the
beautiful scenery that we
operate in on a daily basis
RIFLES The Bugle 39