Page 53 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Operation SHADER
Vetted Syrian
Opposition Training
In May 2017, Ri emen returned from Jordan after 6 months of training members of the Vetted Syrian Opposition (VSO). The training team was commanded by Lt Scully and Sjt De Lange (A Coy) and included a further six junior non-com- missioned of cers from across the Battalion. The team was generated to support the training of the VSO by the US Green Berets in Jordan. Prior to deployment the team was put through an intensive pre deployment package run by fellow Ri emen from A Company 3 RIFLES. The training focussed on foreign weapon training, pistol ranges and a three week Arabic language package, in addition to all of the mandatory training requirements for deploying on operations. The team did not deploy immediately after completing the training; it was held at readiness, awaiting governmental permission to deploy. The Ministry of Defence announced in late October 2016 that it would be renewing the commitment to support the VSO and the team departed to Jordan on the 8th of November 2016.
On arriving in Jordan, the team was met by members of 5th Special Forces Group, The Green Berets. The team’s mission was to assist in the training of the VSO and develop training programmes that would increase the operational effectiveness of the VSO in Southern Syria whilst partnering coalition forces on missions to defeat Daesh. In the early stages of the deployment the team worked closely with the Green Berets to understand fully the opera- tional picture and develop training programmes that would encompass all of the requirements identi ed whilst conducting partnering missions. The team also familiarised itself with the American-made weapons that the VSO were using, much to the delight of the team as there was an opportunity to conduct live ring with a number of weapons.
The team conducted several training iterations during the tour. The rst was focusing on small unit tactics and trying to improve the standard of soldiering of the VSO. The Corporals spent time preparing lessons, with the challenge being to translate the US training requirements into lessons that could be clearly understood when delivered through an interpreter to an audience with varying degrees of experience. This was something that the team was able to complete with much success. The lessons were progressive, starting with basic weapon handling and culminating in a raid to con rm the skills such as re and manoeuvre had been fully absorbed by the VSO. Once the trained members of the VSO had returned to Syria it was noted by the Green Berets that these members were imple- menting the lessons taught and were seen passing on information to their colleagues.
Another training event saw the team deliver anti-tank and eldcraft lessons to the VSO. Prior to this training, the team was taken through a cadre on the BGM-71 TOW wire guided anti-tank weapon system by the Green Berets. The aim of the training was to enable the VSO to run training
THE ‘BRECON APPROACH’ AND THE ATTITUDE OF THE RIFLEMEN DREW PRAISE FROM THE AMERICANS
courses on the weapon from their own camp once they returned to Syria to combat the threat of Daesh up armoured vehicle borne improvised explosive devices. The 2 RIFLES team instructed several senior VSO commanders and together developed a photo instructional aide memoire to ensure the correct drills would continue to be taught without the training team’s supervision. The highlight of the training was the live range where the VSO were able to put into practice the instruction they received.
The training iterations were the highlight of the deployment for the team and it showcased the instructional skill set of The Ri e’s junior non-com- missioned of cers to Tier 2 US Special Forces. The ‘Brecon approach’ and the attitude of the Ri emen drew praise from the Americans. The quality of the instruction delivered to the VSO saw the team written up and presented with the American Army Commendation Medal and ampli ed the Regiment’s reputation amongst key coalition partners. Lieutenant Liam Scully
THE RIFLES
SECOND BATTALION 51
Members of the training audience res the BGM-71 Tow wire guided anti-tank missile
The trainees pay homage to the Infantry Battle School by participating in the mandatory course photograph