Page 22 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

3 RIFLES
We deployed from Edinburgh to Sweden, and upon arriving in Stockholm we faced
a five-hour coach trip north to Alvdalen. Reaching Trangslet at 0500, and with rooms allocated, it was lights out and heads down...until the sun rose about 15 minutes later! Glorious as it was, it wasn’t exactly appreciated.
The day began properly after lunch: introductions, briefs, tours and security passes were handed out, before the Swedish Head of Security, Glock holstered at his side, made it very clear how interested Russia would be in this exercise and that we were very much part of ensuring its security. The next few days of general duties consisted of sighting hundreds of sandbags, razor wire, fencing, and the installation of an awful lot of cables. Once each area was loaded with sensitive equipment, we began our rotations staffing the access control points (ACPs) which took up most of our time on the exercise.
The variety of ranks, cap badges and nationalities involved in the exercise was astounding. Many were kind enough to share
Ex FROSTED BLADE 36
Ex FROSTED BLADE 36 was an extremely successful battalion ski team trip to Val D’Isere. With four beginners we managed to pull off a third-place overall finish - a true underdog performance!
The exercise consisted of a month-long training period, followed by race week.
The training was physically and mentally arduous but prepared the team for the races. The competition week was split into four disciplines: the slower and more technical Slalom and Giant Slalom, and the faster speed events of Super-G and Downhill.
The team was largely successful overall, picking up three bronzes and a silver medal, beating all but the teams with vastly more experience. Special mention to Sjt Smith who was consistently in the top 10 finishes throughout the week and the team captain with a first place and three second place finishes. These performances earned them both a spot on the Infantry team and a trip to Serre Chevalier for the Army Championships.
22 RIFLES The Bugle
The General Duties team on JOINT PROTECTOR
a little about their careers, roles in the exercise, or just chat more generally. I think a lot of us were amazed that they would be so interested in us and our role and had the opportunity to build a good rapport with many of them. We also became friendly with the Swedish guard force that defended the camp; there were several 3 RIFLES vs Swedish Army football matches throughout our time there, as well
as afternoons comparing tactics, experiences, and general chat about Sweden.
The final week was spent dismantling everything, including what felt like miles of razor wire and fences, which we managed to take down in double-quick time.
All-in-all, as a first overseas deployment for
Weather held up enough to go swimming
the majority of Riflemen (myself included) it was a really insightful experience. We learned about other branches of the army as well as about other services and nations. Although there weren’t nearly as many meatballs as expected from a Swedish based exercise, it was a varied six weeks and not an experience any of us will forget in a hurry.
Rfn Reynard
Army team at the summit of the Downhill
The Army Championships were equally successful, with the Infantry team taking home the overall trophy for the first time.
Lt Serdet picked up gold in both the Army Downhill and Slalom events and a silver in the Giant Slalom before crashing in the Super-G. His performances earned him a spot on the Army team who continued to Meribel for the
Interservice Championships the Army men’s team went on to win, beating the RAF and Navy comfortably.
The exercise was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and overall, it was an invaluable opportunity for Riflemen to learn an additional skill and visit somewhere new.
Lt Serdet, Team Captain
...made
it very clear how interested Russia would be in this exercise
With four beginners we managed to pull off a third- place overall finish
EX JOINT PROTECTOR - A RIFLEMAN’S PERSPECTIVE