Page 39 - Bugle Spring 2025

6 RIFLES
A Rifleman fights through the
wooded hills of Asturias
A Section Commander
conducts an assault
Ex IBERIAN
STAR 24
The highlight of the 2024 Training Year for
6 RIFLES was their first overseas exercise
since the COVID-19 pandemic. This much-
anticipated deployment took a light role
company of Army Reserves to Northern
Spain in November. Though initial concerns
about ‘Sunny Spain’ were proven wrong,
the first week blessed them with pleasantly
warm 25°C weather. However, the advance
party did face a challenging gale-force 9
storm during a two-day ferry crossing over
the Bay of Biscay.
In Spain, 6 RIFLES partnered with the
‘San Quintin’ Battalion of the 3rd Infantry
Regiment. However, upon the main party’s
arrival, severe flooding in Valencia redirected
all Spanish forces south. Faced with this
unexpected challenge, the company adapted
remarkably and made the most of a rugged
and demanding training area in
Asturias’ mountainous region.
The two-week exercise
focused heavily on
the area’s numerous
trenches, providing a comprehensive
conventional training experience.
Unexpectedly in charge of their own
exercise, 6 RIFLES seized the opportunity to
include a Battlefield study and remembrance
service during the middle weekend. Most
Riflemen visited Covadonga, the site marking
the start of the Spanish Reconquista and
a place of significant importance to the
Spanish. They also enjoyed the local nightlife
in the historic town of Oviedo. Additionally, a
select group of Riflemen had the honour of
traveling to the battlefield of Salamanca. They
were hosted by the British Defence Attaché,
accompanied by the Portuguese attaché,
the Spanish Brigade commander, the Mayor
of Salamanca, and a section of 1 PWRR,
who were
The
Company
practices
urban
fighting
conducting the Regular equivalent exercise.
Overall, this exercise provided invaluable
experience for 6 RIFLES, testing a critical
element of the Army Reserve; the ability to
generate and deploy a formed unit.
Capt Savage, BHQ 6 RIFLES
The
two-week
exercise
focused
heavily on
the area’s
numerous
trenches
A machine gunner conducts a passionate reload
RIFLES The Bugle 39