Page 115 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Cpl Jones and Cpl Moon lead the 5 RIFLES team competing in the arduous Admiral Pikta Recce Competition
D Coy lead the charge in the Gun Run at a BG Sports Day in Estonia
OP CABRIT HAS NOT BEEN ALL EXERCISE
As part of the rst rotation of Op CABRIT, A Coy has overcome many challenges, from maintaining an Armoured Infantry Battlegroup in a new environment, to establishing sustainment proce- dures for the procurement of consumable supplies. This has added challenge to battle-preparation prior to exercises and readiness crash outs, requiring every Ri eman to be proactive and use his initiative to maximise the training.
Whilst conducting exercises on Op CABRIT it is repeatedly noticed how important it is that junior commanders understand the All Arms battle and
how to integrate and operate their section or re team effectively in the battlespace. Due to the close nature of the terrain and complexity/ uidity of the “ ghting”, the eld of view for Pl and Coy commanders is extremely limited, demanding the Section and Fire Team commanders to co-ordinate and liaise directly with Artillery and Armour in order to neutralise the enemy with re. In addition, battle winning essential tasks, such as the taking of a key trench position over-looking a bridge, have become purely the domain of the JNCO as the close terrain doesn’t allow for the massing of force and repower practised on the
prairie in BATUS.
Beyond revising our Fighting in Woods and
Forests (FIWAF) tactics, JNCOs have had to learn to ght an enemy equipped with tactics and drills speci cally suited to the terrain, with compa- rable re power and technology. This, to the genuine excitement of JNCOs, has seen a return to Mission Command
that hasn’t been evident in previous training events. JNCOs have taken the lead in developing their own tactics in order to counter that of the opposing forces (mostly played by Estonians, Latvians and Germans). This adaptation has allowed for some impressive feats of soldering. Examples such as sneaking up to within ve meters of the enemy Main Defensive Area prior to launching a section level attack, or dismounted delaying battles in the woods that sap the enemy’s momentum. Innovation has been commonplace and has ensured 5 RIFLES’ reputation is strong amongst our partners.
OP CABRIT has not been all exercise, although it felt like it at the beginning! There have been several days out to some of Estonia’s main cities such as Tallinn, Tartu and Parnu. The opportunity to explore and enjoy a different country and culture has made the deployment more rewarding, and the time pass quicker. Adventure training and challenging pursuits became more common as the operation developed, with sailing, horse riding, and various water-sports and the opportunity for stand down including go-karting and paint-balling. JNCOs were the fore-runners in planning and conducting these activ- ities and, with support from the BGHQ, enhanced the experience for those deployed on Op CABRIT. A Coy JNCOs
Commanding as a Junior Non- Commissioned Of cer (JNCO) in Estonia
British, French and Estonian joint training
Rfn Rideout enjoys a break from Exercise in Estonia
FIFTH BATTALION 113