Page 71 - Chronicle Vol 17

5th Battalion The Rifles Ward Barracks SALISBURY
Wiltshire SP4 9NA
Military network: 94321 2678
Telephone: 01980 672678
Email: Kempley.buchan- smith100@mod.gov.uk
File reference: RoyalColonel/23 01 December 2023
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO GCStJ Bagshot Park
Bagshot
SURREY GU19 5PL
5TH BATTALION THE RIFLES
– ROYAL COLONEL UPDATE 2023
INTRODUCTION
After our rewarding commitment to training the Armed Forces of Ukraine last year, in 2023 the 5th Battalion has focussed on re-establishing excellence in our core warfighting role. A plethora of courses have qualified drivers, gunners and commanders on our armoured vehicles, whilst training exercises have developed our Mounted Close Combat tactics and Combined Arms competence. This has all been in preparation for the battalion’svalidation exercise in Germany ahead of our third deployment to Estonia as the enhanced Forward Battlegroup on Operation CABRIT next year.
OPERATIONS AND TRAINING EXERCISE ARROW AND NORTHERN FOREST, FINLAND
A Company had the privilege to deploy to Finland between 24 April and 9 June to take part in Exercises ARROW and NORTHERN FOREST, a pair of exercises that gave our Riflemen the opportunity to integrate with our new NATO partner. The Company deployed their Warriors by sea to Rauma, then conducted the exer- cises in densely wooded and swampy training areas – testing drivers, command- ers and crews thoroughly. A particular highlight for the company was the oppor- tunity to go up against Leopard tanks and CV90 armoured vehicles; despite being
70