Page 33 - Chronicle Vol 17

THE RIFLES IN 2023
REGIMENTAL OPERATIONS SUMMARY
Flexibility and a can-do attitude sum up the Regiment in 2023, with our Riflemen proving once again that no matter what they are tasked with, it will always be executed with RIFLES aplomb and dash. After the intensity of 2022 and Operation INTERFLEX a certain degree of normality returned, providing the battalions with valuable time to catch up with much needed core infantry training and deploy- ments. Critically, establishing new partner relationships, whilst cementing old friendships and alliances also saw our Riflemen working at pace across multiple theatres, in challenging situations.
At home our Regular and Reserve battalions saw a tremendous amount of activ- ity; most notably delivering testing Potential Junior Non-Commissioned Officer (PJNCO) Cadres. Just over 100 Riflemen from across the regiment were promoted to Lance Corporal having been put through their paces by 1 and 5 RIFLES on separate courses across Dartmoor, Brecon, Caerwent and Salisbury Plain train- ing areas. The courses covered the mandated Army Leadership Development Package that included planning and running training exercises, acting as safety staff for static live firing ranges as well as low level infantry skills in urban and trench warfare.
After the PJNCO cadre the headline act for 1 RIFLES saw them bid farewell to Chepstow, via a farewell parade in the town, and relocate to Alexander Barracks, Cyprus. This was no small feat when one considers the effort involved with mov- ing 490 individuals and 150 families. Amongst the many tasks set for them was adopting the role of the Regional Standby Battalion, deployable at short notice to react to any event in the Middle East region. Tragically however, months prior to their departure from the UK, Rfn Whiting and Cpl Birnie died in separate road traffic accidents, hitting the battalion hard.
2 RIFLES have barely had time to catch their breath. After completing Exercise WESSEX STORM on Salisbury Plain in early 2023 A Company deployed to Valladolid, Spain on Exercise IBERIAN SUN which culminated in a Battlegroup advance to contact alongside their Spanish counterparts. Meanwhile elements of C Company were providing support on pre-deployment training of a Zambian Battalion prior to a mission in the Central African Republic and I Company were in the Falkland Islands for three months as the resident infantrymen on Operation FIRIC. With their summer leave cancelled (again) the battalion deployed on Operation INTERFLEX, before two teams were submitted to Exercise SUNDA PATROL in Brunei a jungle-based patrol competition like Exercise CAMBRIAN PATROL.
With one eye on the future and profound change in both Brigade and role, 3 RIFLES were busy throughout 2023 on overseas commitments that saw A Company deploy to Estonia on Operation CABRIT as part of the Queen’s Royal Hussars
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