Page 24 - Bugle Spring 2025

4 RANGER
Falcon Trophy
Falcon Trophy, the Battalion’s annual
skills competition, returned in October.
Over four days we showcased our
endurance and tactical expertise
in a competition designed to push
participants to their limits. The event
tested robustness, marksmanship
and problem solving, reflecting the
demands placed on our Rangers.
The competition started with the
Role Fitness Test – Enhanced, where
some impressive times were recorded
but it was the Commanding Officer,
Lt Col Bairsto who led by example to
secure first place, closely followed by
Capt Bush. With no time to rest, we
swiftly moved to the ranges with the
new L403A1s.
On the second day, competitors
conducted stress shoots with the
pistol and rifle. Cpl Ellis proved that the
ability to manage cognitive overload
under stress and fatigue was the key
to success. Day three began with an
individual Hyrox-style workout, and
following this, the competitors worked
in teams to face tactical problem sets
that replicate working at reach from
a HQ.
The final day saw the competition
rounded out with a demanding 6-mile
navigation exercise before our Drone
Racing Team put all competitors
through a fun and exciting introduction
to First Person View (FPV) drones.
Racing drones around the Ranger
Tavern, the Brigade Commander
impressed, despite claiming to have
never flown FPV drones before…
Finishing with some well-deserved
drinks, Falcon Trophy highlighted the
physical and technical prowess of
our Rangers. Congratulations to the
winners, B Company, and Cpl Ellis for
‘Best Ranger 2024’.
24 RIFLES The Bugle
OPS CYCLE OVERVIEW
During the summer A Coy found itself spread
across the Middle East where our Rangers
played a pivotal role, singled out for praise
by the Defence Secretary.
Arriving just as regional tensions were rising,
navigating the fallout from an unprecedented
spike in adversary activity became the focus.
As the UK’s Joint Advanced Force, we acted
as a forward sensor and played a crucial role
in assisting NEO crisis response planners
with potential evacuation options, assessing
local conditions and providing insights from
the ground on the far bank. Concurrently, we
worked as a trusted partner alongside our allies
as the extraordinary events unfolded. By being
there persistently, we offered reassurance,
support and built trust.
Jordan gave us the chance to reinforce
a shared sense of purpose with our
longstanding partners. For us, this was a
valuable opportunity to refine our skills and
learn from their expertise. There was also
plenty of time to explore: some of us ran desert
marathons near Petra, while others visited the
baptismal site of Jesus or relaxed by the Dead
Sea; the mud baths there worked wonders on
some of our more seasoned teammates!
Returning home in November, we gathered
for a social where – after some friendly
competition – it was clear that none of our
golfing skills had improved, though this did not
dampen spirits.
The Flag of Lebanon at half mast during regional crisis
some of us ran desert marathons
near Petra, while others visited
the baptismal site of Jesus or
relaxed by the Dead Sea
Lebanese soldiers practicing their range skills
A Lebanese soldiers on a machine gun range