Page 26 - Bugle Spring 2024

4 RANGER
Final checks ahead of launching onto radioactive material recovery mission
Ex TROPIC FALCON
R Coy, deployed on Ex TROPIC FALCON, Oahu, Hawaii. Conducted from the Joint Pacific and Mission Readiness Centre, this biannual exercise is designed to replicate the liberation of an Indo-Pacific nation from a near-peer adversary. As part of this, our joint special operations capable component endeavoured to shape the
battlefield to enable the conventional force to manoeuvre. This was largely done through the identification and destruction of air defence systems, and the capture of high value targets.
Working to provide multi-domain effects through electronic warfare and JTACs from the Air Land Integration Cell, the exercise was 4 RANGER’s first time working under US Green Berets as part of a US division. It was not only a worthwhile experiment in both shaping the Rangers toward ‘How We Fight 2026,’ but also integrating with the US 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) as the UK broadens its understanding of the Indo-Pacific.
After a lengthy 24-hour journey over,
the team completed a comprehensive acclimatisation and training package. Thereafter, upon the arrival of the US Charlie Company, the exercise started, and Team
11 took part in several shaping operations ahead of the divisional main landing. Kicking off with a raid against an active radar sight housing an integrated air defence system,
USS Missouri
The team also managed to squeeze in some welcome down time
Nav check during a jungle insertion
the scenarios came thick and fast. The infrastructure, terrain, jungle, and assets provided a genuinely unique training environment, stress-testing the force
within highly niche scenarios. Stretching from the recovery of radiological material, to conducting Pilot Recovery Operations whilst utilising electronic warfare assets, the training benefit for 4 RANGER was broad. The team also managed to squeeze in some welcome down time, visiting Pearl Harbour before dispersing across the island to enjoy some well earnt R&R – and naturally trying their hand at surfing!
26 RIFLES The Bugle