Page 93 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Iraqi Army Division, and the somewhat more relaxed Border Guard Police. Training for the 7th Division soldiers was made up of speci c packages including reconnaissance, marksmanship and counter IED training. These packages were based on speci c weaknesses highlighted by the 7th Division’s own commanders. The counter IED package was of particular signi cance with Cpl Wood analysing new ISIL TTPs and coming up with solutions which the men were trained in. On the other hand, the Border Guard Police training was more of a phase 2 training concept, made up of general packages consisting of marksmanship, low level skills and drills and operating up to platoon tactics.
Training and mentoring the Iraqis provided many challenges, but it also felt immensely rewarding. They understood the importance of their training and worked really hard to learn as much as they could, this is because of the real danger that they faced when pushed back to the front line. Every man in the BPC Company understood the importance of their task and were innovative in their approach to training a force that was less well equipped and lacked a formal training. We wish all our ISF trainees the very best of luck in their on-going ght to destroy Da’esh in the region.
Lt Franklin D’Souza
TRAINING AND MENTORING THE IRAQIS PROVIDED MANY CHALLENGES, BUT IT ALSO FELT IMMENSELY REWARDING. THEY UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE
THE RIFLES
BPC concentrating on developing the low level tactics of the ISF
Support Company – the end
S Company, 4 RIFLES is no more. Disbanded as part of the Battalion’s reorganisation into Specialised Infantry, the Company has been split between those specialist weapon and reconnaissance NCOs who will remain in 4 RIFLES and those who have been posted to the other battalions as Ri es Reinforce- ments.
The nal day of S Company was marked by a full blown regimental dinner for all members of the Company. The evening included a three course supper, regimental silver, a vibrant bugle demon- stration, commemorative coins and regimental war tales. It was a terri c, if a somewhat poignant evening that signalled the end of a very special sub unit.
THIS WAS A HIGHLY ENJOYABLE FEW DAYS WITH MANY LESSONS FOR THE MODERN SUPPORT WEAPONS SPECIALIST
But it hasn’t all been doom and gloom. In its nal year, S Company has been as busy and as successful as its heritage and history might suggest with troops deployed in support of all of the Battal- ion’s operations and exercises. This included the deployment of anti-tanks, snipers, assault pioneers, mortarmen and reconnaissance specialists to Anbar Province as part of Op SHADER where they both trained Iraqis and protected the Coalition.
In Kenya, the Reconnaissance Platoon provided an ISR team for A Coy’s COEFOR as they delivered a series of brutal lessons to the unfortunate exercising battle group. Simultaneously the anti-tankers ran a mechanised infantry STTT with the Kenyan Defence Force which, despite being doubled in length at the last moment, proved an unparalleled success. Later on in the year, those mortarmen not in Iraq deployed to the South Atlantic with 1 RRF as part of the Falklands Islands Roulement Infantry Company; a great, if somewhat chilly experience for all. The nal part of the year was marked by a highly successful battle eld study to Berlin. Ex IRON BUGLE, the brain child or WO2 Graham, focused on the historical and tactical lessons from the nal days of WW2 as the Soviet offensive closed in on the Third Reich’s desperate last ditched defence. This was a highly enjoyable few days with many lessons for the modern support weapons specialist.
In sum, it has been a cracking year, albeit with a rather sombre end. Nonetheless, the spirit of S Company will continue to live on in the example of those members who continue to serve and in the memories of those now retired.
OC S Company, Maj RJO Sawers
FOURTH BATTALION 91