Page 41 - Bugle Spring 2025

Op CABRIT 14
Rfn Green-Jones, Rfn Gilbert, and Cpl O’Keeffe from
7 RIFLES joined 5 RIFLES in January 2024 ahead of
deployment to Estonia on Op CABRIT 14. Life at Bulford
was fast paced as the Battalion readied for deployment.
Tapa Camp
The facilities at Tapa Camp have improved significantly since
the days of CABRIT 1 and 7. Improved gyms, dining facilities,
cafés and a NAAFI became welcome areas to relax. Modern
and spacious accommodation, decent Wi-Fi, and privacy
booths to help with calls home, along with a common/
welfare room with a kitchenette, Play Stations (!!), TVs and
the in-block gym and sauna were all game changers!
Following the Hand Over / Take Over with the Fusiliers
and the necessary vehicle maintenance, preparation was
underway for the first of three multi-national Brigade
exercises.
Ex BOLD BUGLE
The Forward Land Forces Battlegroup Estonia was tested in
a warfighting context on Ex BOLD BUGLE, with BG proving
interoperability with the 1 Estonian Brigade (1st EST Bde)
and French Forces. It showcased the formidable, combined
arms capability of the BG. The Exercise concluded with a
clearance of multiple trench systems achieving the main aim
of providing the 1st EST Bde with confidence in our ability to
conduct defensive and offensive war fighting capabilities.
Ex BOLD MONSOON
This exercise was conducted in the North East of Estonia.
Battlegroup HQ deployed alongside supporting elements to
coordinate efforts with local military and civilian authorities to
7 RIFLES troops deployed
alongside 5 RIFLES
conduct defensive and offensive combat operations against
a hypothetical incursion by enemy forces, by land, water, and
air assault. Planning and executing this hypothetical invasion
were received with praise by 1st EST Bde.
Ex SPRING STORM
The BG deployed on Ex SPRING STORM in the South West of
Estonia. A force of 14,000 troops from 15 nations took part,
joined simultaneously with other NATO forces conducting Ex
STEADFAST DEFENDER. This was a realistic training package
that was conducted on private land and through towns/
villages demonstrating our combined arms capabilities,
readiness, and commitment to protect Estonia.
The remaining time on tour was spent rotating through
R&R, PT/sports, WarDev to improve interoperability, and
exercises conducted at the sub-unit level. There was an
NCO cadre, a weapons effects day, a BG BBQ and Adventure
Training. Vehicle maintenance, HOTO with the Royal Dragoon
Guards, and finally the packing of freight for our return to
the UK.
Op CABRIT 14, for the those deployed from 7 RIFLES, was
an excellent experience and opportunity to enhance our
armoured infantry skills. I would highly recommend it.
Cpl David O’Keeffe, HQ Coy
5 RIFLES Battlegroup
Christmas Carol Concert with the Band & Bugles of The Rifles
7 RIFLES once again hosted a splendid Christmas Carol
Concert at the beautiful St George’s Church in Hanover
Square, London. The Band & Bugles of The Rifles, under
the direction of Maj Ollie Jeans, and with the support
of the 7 RIFLES padre, Capt Alex Ladds, delivered a
magnificent performance. The event saw an attendance
of over 200 people and welcomed all pillars of the
regiment, including regulars, reserves, veterans, cadets,
and community members. A total of £580.05 and €5 were
collected for The Rifles Benevolent Trust – thank you.
Be sure to keep an eye out for next year’s event on
SWIFT!
Capt Matt Walsh, Bn HQ
7 RIFLES
CIOR YROW
’24 Tallinn
This year’s Inter Allied Confederation
of Reserve Officers Young Reserve
Officers’ Workshop took place in Tallinn,
Estonia. The UK delegation was a
tri-service cohort of 24 junior officers,
joined by colleagues from 32 other
NATO and non-NATO countries for a
week of development and discussion.
Lectures were hosted by guest
speakers from NATO, the Organisation
for Security and Co-operation in Europe,
and the EU, with a focus on the core-
principles and workings of NATO, with
the learning reinforced by table-top
military and diplomatic exercises aimed
at understanding and developing
cooperation through the NATO style
approach.
Further lectures also included
case studies on the developments of
hybrid warfare and counterintelligence,
delivered by the Estonian Security
Services, briefings on Estonian national
defence plans, and workshops on
understanding and negotiation in multi-
cultural environments.
All national delegations in attendance
were responsible for delivering lectures
aimed at presenting their armed forces.
This provided a significant eye-opening
education into the variety of operating
models which NATO’s armed forces
employ, and the degree of variation with
commitment and training.
During the week, a visit was also
made to Tapa Camp where we were able
to see the capabilities and be briefed on
what the resident NATO eFP Battlegroup,
5 RIFLES, had been up to during their
deployment on Op CABRIT. This was also
supplemented by opportunities to visit
and see the partner capabilities of other
Armed Forces co-located at Tapa Camp,
including the Italians and the French.
The week closed with a gala dinner
hosted by the Estonian President in their
national concert hall.
Overall, it provided a great
opportunity to learn more from those
individuals in attendance about their
armed forces and how they operate, and
to network and make great connections
across all delegations in attendance.
Lt Toby Pratt, Regimental Signals
Officer
RIFLES The Bugle 41