Page 109 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Palm, and then Danish, French and British repre- sentatives. After a look at Estonia’s new CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and an opportunity to try out their live- ring simulator, the Countess was given a tour of camp and some of the accommodation and welfare facilities.
Afterwards, the visit moved to the Estonian Central Training Area, where the Battlegroup were training. An opportunity to meet members of ‘3eme’, our embedded French Company was followed by a eld lunch - the Battlegroup’s Chefs, under Sgt Winsper, pulled off another amazing spread. We had been extremely concerned about the potential impact of weather after horizontal snow less than a week before but we need not have worried. In an 18x24 tent in glorious sunshine, lunch was more akin to high-end safari than a huddle for warmth. After lunch, HRH was invited to step into a Challenger 2 taxi for a ride to A Company’s range. She was able to chat and have a brew with some of the guys before a repower demonstration from Challengers, Warriors and other company weapons.
The Countess seemed to really enjoy herself, and despite our early nerves the visit went swimmingly. HE Mrs Theresa Bubbear, UK Ambassador to Estonia, accompanied the Countess throughout and said it was one of the top ve days in her career – either a wonderful compliment or a damning
indictment of a life in the Diplomatic Service!
As ever, it was a great pleasure to be visited by HRH and we look forward to seeing her again on our
return from Estonia.
Maj Ben Casson, OC B Coy
Cpl Springer teaches HRH how to aim a UGL
...enjoying the snow
LUNCH WAS MORE AKIN TO HIGH-END SAFARI THAN A HUDDLE FOR WARMTH
THE RIFLES
FIFTH BATTALION 107