Page 124 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

DEPLOYMENTS
Ex MAYAN WARRIOR LFTT Phase
SEVERAL INSTINCTIVE SHOOTS THAT THAT TESTED EVEN THE MOST SENIOR RIFLEMEN
EX Mayan Warrior
Upon hearing about the chance to go to Belize with our paired unit 1 RIFLES I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Going to the jungle has always been on my bucket list so I couldn’t afford to miss this. I soon found myself reporting to 1 RIFLES with several other colleagues where after a week in camp which involved jungle issue uplift and a few generic briefs we ew to Belize.
Once we arrived at Price Barracks we were given a more detailed outline of the next few weeks to come, which was a generous acclimatisation package. Cultural days involved an educational trip to Belize Zoo and a Mayan ruin. To help the local community we helped a local orphanage refurbish benches, unblock drains and repair infrastructure.
Once acclimatised we moved on to the training phase. Over the next couple of days we would be shown how to operate in a jungle environment combined with a low level survival package. Navigation is especially dif cult with poor visibility impeding your view of key features. You have to rely on your bearings and pacing. Everyone learnt a lot in a short space of time before moving to the next phase; Live Firing Tactical Training (LFTT).
LFTT was great with several instinctive shoots that tested even the most senior Ri emen, along with very good attack lanes. We achieved our aim and the phase concluded with a successful platoon camp attack having honed our marksmanship skills.
For the nal exercise we moved to an area of dense jungle. We hit the ground running starting with a camp attack with a switched on enemy giving us a run for our money. We were tested by the elements when occupying a long term ambush overnight in the rain; that night we were cold in the jungle! My navigational skills were put to the test on a recce after a close encounter with a snake. We concluded with a Company attack on several camp positions which went well leaving everyone glad to be heading back to camp after a good Ex.
After the post exercise admin was completed we were able to have a couple of days of much needed R & R in San Pedro; a small island off the cost of Belize. Here every one had good fun unwinding on the golden beaches. This was a great experience and why I joined the Army Reserve.
LCpl North
The end of the exhausting jungle phase
The 6 RIFLES contingent on Ex MAYAN WARRIOR
WE WERE TESTED BY THE ELEMENTS WHEN OCCUPYING A LONG TERM AMBUSH OVERNIGHT IN THE RAIN; THAT NIGHT WE WERE COLD IN THE JUNGLE!
122 SIXTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES