Page 77 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

let alone being invited to participate in front of their peers. While some did not enjoy the predictable meals of chicken and rice the opportunity to eat Bedouin-style with our counterparts on a number of occasions was thoroughly enjoyable, even if the animal and body part often were mysterious. Capt Flood’s Tabuk Touch Rugby Club managed to trans x and bamboozle the locals, much in the same way Fusilier dress sense baf ed Saudi farmers.
The concluding execute phase of the exercise lasted three days, conducted on a simulator akin to those at CAST. Preparedness is hugely important in the Middle East, though this was signi cantly lost by the Int Cell, who failed to predict that the enemy would develop huge amounts of heavy weaponry and anthrax over the weekend as their Saudi operators got bored. We concluded with more presentations, handshakes, smiles, and photos at an intricate ag lowering ceremony on the parade square.
At a time when previously closed Saudi Arabia is beginning to open up and look to the future, this was a fascinating time to visit a part of the Kingdom off the beaten track. We made many strong impres- sions, particularly the linguists attached to the headquarters – Iraqi born Rfn Al-Zireg was invariably the centre of attention of our hosts, and Lt Macfar- lane’s Omani accent and Capt Dawnay’s gutter Egyptian Arabic caused a great deal of merriment. Relationships and understanding were the major goal of the exercise, and certainly the British side
advanced their understanding of this fascinating country by leaps and bounds. The effect we had on the RSLF should not be underestimated – two weeks of relatively low-level planning with a unit which had previously had no UK contact provided immeasurable effect. As the rst principle of Defence Engagement is to understand each other, the exercise was a resounding success.
Capt Nick Dawnay, Intelligence Of cer
Battalion Headquarters planning alongside the Royal Saudi Land Forces
Royal Saudi Land Forces and Battalion Headquarters rehearse the concept of the plan
THE RIFLES
THIRD BATTALION 75