Page 111 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Lt Teddy Walker leads 5 Platoon through the Estonian forest
THICK FORESTS, NEAR IMPASSABLE BOGS AND MARSHES, EXCELLENT AND EXTENSIVE TRENCH SYSTEMS WITH TUNNELS AND BUNKERS, ALL ENHANCED THE TRAINING EXPERIENCE
Rfn Maj (centre left) and soldiers from Javelin Platoon on patrol
A Coy Patrols Competition
November saw A Company conduct a compa- ny-level patrols competition designed to test low-level drills and SOPs. It was made deliberately arduous, and the sections were put well out of their comfort zones, but the Ri emen enjoyed training resources rarely seen on exercises of this nature.
The preparations were carried out ‘below the radar’ so as not to arouse suspicion. Section commanders were called in to the lecture theatre to what they thought was going to be a brief on Salisbury Plain safety from the OC, Maj Helsby; in fact it was a set of orders for a platoon air assault onto a farm complex.
The sections then moved to the HLS to be picked up by CH47, and were dropped at the objective. The assault also included a training serial for the aircrew which involved a trip to Salisbury Hospital for Rfn Esan! The platoons were then airlifted north to a harbour location for the night.
The next day involved a 25km patrol loop with a number of stands which included a CBRN stand ran by Cpl Weatherill-Podbury (armed with millions of CS tablets) and a section advance-to-contact in complex terrain, followed by a CASEVAC.
The enemy picture gradually developed with a standing patrol screen looking onto likely objectives and approach routes. 2Lt Kemp, having only just taken command of 2 Platoon, was given the task of OC for the nal strike. He received his orders via radio and planned the operation. The company set off at 0330 and launched onto Baden’s Clump Compounds at 0600. A small enemy force withdrew west leading to a follow up attack on a nearby barn. After conducting casualty evacuation for several wounded they arrived at a farm complex to nd swords laid out. They didn’t have a clue what was coming... The swords were just a distraction from the main surprise which was a huge slap-up breakfast laid on by the catering department complete with silver from the messes. You could see the relief on their faces! We were then transported back with Merlin helicopters, which was a good conclusion to a very testing week for the Rfn and JNCOs.
Sjts Walker, Simpson and Jones – A Coy
THE SWORDS WERE JUST A DISTRACTION FROM THE MAIN SURPRISE WHICH WAS A HUGE SLAP- UP BREAKFAST
FIFTH BATTALION 109
©J. Andrjustsenko / Légion étrangére