Page 27 - Bugle Spring 2024

4 RANGER
RANGING FURTHER EAST
In 2023 4 RANGER were given the task of expanding our area of operation, previously limited to the Middle East, to include the Indo-Pacific and everything in-between. This was no meagre task with our area of responsibility now spanning practically half the globe. With the Battalion responsible for a share of UK Defence’s ‘tilt’ to the Indo-Pacific we set about the task with vigour: building relationships and setting our networks further east.
Building on an already close relationship with our partners in the United States Special Forces ‘Green Berets’ and engagements earlier in the year in South Korea, Singapore, and Brunei; A Coy were responsible for carrying the torch forward. July kicked of this effort with teams deploying to Malaysia and Australia as part of large multinational exercises, working alongside our hosts as well as countless other nations. From Seattle to Sydney, this period also remarkably saw us working alongside our US partners on five different continents simultaneously. Whilst engaging with our partners and developing our warfighting role was the priority, extra- curricular activities were encouraged. Motorcycling through the jungle and visiting world famous beaches in Malaysia, while our fellow Rangers met kangaroos and koalas in Australia were highlights. We also hosted our partners here in the UK with a delegation from Singapore and an A Coy team training and mentoring a Kazakhstani unit on the arduous Ex CAMBRIAN PATROL.
Our expanding area of responsibility
has presented wider opportunities as well. Two officers conducted a recce to Vietnam for a Battlefield Study which is planned for 2024. Aiming to evaluate the successes and failures of US military assistance and irregular warfare operations during the war of 1955-1975 and will see Ranger’s travel from Saigon to the ancient imperial city of Hué.
Two officers conducted a recce to Vietnam for a Battlefield Study which is planned for 2024
OC Tm 4 receives an impromptu lesson in jungle mobility in Malaysia
July 2023 saw 4 RANGER working alongside US Green Berets on 5 continents simultaneously
The distinctive CBRN suits of the Kazakhstani Cambrian Patrol team
RIFLES The Bugle 27