Page 13 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

1 RIFLES
SUPPORT
The road to
Ex ASKARI STORM
With Ex ASAKRI STORM fast approaching, 1 RIFLES will soon be deployed to Kenya for an arduous six-week long exercise. Awaiting the Battalion is an unforgiving environment that will expose every Rifleman to extreme temperatures, challenging terrain, and the odd lion or elephant to watch out for.
In preparation for the deployment,
the companies have been focusing on
all aspects of training from anti-vehicle ambushes through to platoon level live firing at night. Training was shaped
by a productive Enemy Threat brief in Warminster, covering the electronic warfare and drone threats our enemy will have in Kenya. 3 Platoon deployed on Ex ASKARI STORM with 2 RIFLES in Sep 2021 and their experience has been invaluable bringing the realities of the exercise to life.
While it may be hard to replicate the exact conditions found in Kenya, each company has prepared on training areas across the UK for the challenges that will be thrown at them. In most cases, focus has been on operating at night, both for
blank firing exercise and up to platoon level live firing.
The build-up training has seen A Company deploy to Cyprus on Ex KRONOS BUGLE. C Company have had a platoon from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment attached who will deploy with them on Ex ASKARI STORM; their exercise saw them carrying out Live Fire Tactical Training right across Sennybridge Training Area.
B Company have split their training between Live Fire training on Dartmoor, and tactical exercises on Salisbury Plain. Their final action was an anti-armour ambush in a coordinated attempt to disrupt the advance of a Squadron of Challenger 2 tanks; a serial that saw the tank crews stunned by the bold approach of the Riflemen.
Exercise ASKARI STORM will inevitably challenge all components of the battalion and provide an excellent opportunity for 1 RIFLES to prove our ability in the field.
It is another chance to put our training into practice and to demonstrate the professionalism of our Riflemen.
Lt Treasure, B Coy
In most cases, focus has been on operating at night, both for blank firing exercise and up to platoon level live firing
PLATOON
CADRES
Following a successful deployment to Cyprus on Op TOSCA 35, S Coy turned its attention to Support Platoon Cadres, to qualify new and current Riflemen into Anti-Tanks, Mortars, Recce, Machine Guns, Assault Pioneers, or Snipers.
Those attending the cadres were selected into one of the six platoons and faced the challenge of learning a new role, and in some cases an entirely new weapon system. During May and June all the platoons delivered challenging, demanding and rewarding cadres focusing their Riflemen on their new skill set and creating competent new members for the platoons.
The platoons designed cadres that would not only push their Riflemen, and hone their new skills, but also provide enjoyable and unique training. Some of the highlights include Recce Platoon deploying via Chinook onto their final exercise, before concluding with
a live fire package; Mortar Platoon focused
on the skills needed to correctly employ the 81mm Mortar, finishing with a week of live fire by day and night; and Machine Gun Platoon honing their skills through a mixed blank and live fire exercise on Sennybridge.
At the conclusion of the cadres S Coy has
a fully manned, and very capable, group of Riflemen; each a specialist in their platoons. Following a well-earned period of leave over summer, S Coy is looking forward to deploying on Ex ASKARI STORM. Support weapons will be a vital part of 1 RIFLES’ exercise, and the success of the cadres has provided the perfect preparation for the challenges ahead.
CSjt Campbell, S Company 2ic
RIFLES The Bugle 13