Page 22 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

3 RIFLES
3 RIFLES Welfare Team
The last 6 months have been tremendously busy for the 3 RIFLES welfare team. We have hosted a multitude of community events, coffee mornings and a royal visit by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.
The most notable community event of the last quarter was our belated Salamanca Day celebrations. The celebrations were held on
our sports field in the form of light-hearted sporting activities, live music, inflatable obstacle courses and a mixture of cultural stands which included a variety of food prepared by our Nepalese, Fijian, Bangladeshi and Caribbean soldiers.
Following Salamanca day, we hosted HRH The Duchess of Cornwall in our community
Ex PILGRIMS PROGRESS
Community Litter Pick
centre, where HRH presented Long Service and Good Conduct medals and conversed with our soldiers and their families. As the Colonel in Chief of the regiment it is naturally a momentous occasion and one held in high regard throughout our battalion.
The welfare team has also been engaged in supporting Colinton Primary School in the development of their eco-friendly garden,
by constructing tenting for their year six graduation event and a community litter pick, organised by the welfare team.
More recently, we hosted a Halloween Event in our community centre. The evening consisted of games, a disco and plenty of sweets and treats.
Rfn L Seelig
Fire Support Company
Ex PILGRIMS PROGRESS was one of the most unique military exercises 3 RIFLES has taken part in, for several years. Unlike many previous training exercises, the exercise centred around small teams working to track down and capture an evading enemy force.
3 RIFLES Fire Support Company was tasked to take on the role of the Hunter Force, which focused on tracking down the enemies on the run. This task was in support of special forces training whose trainees occupied the role as the evading force. As the Hunter Force, 3 RIFLES main objective was to establish a position to intercept and prevent the evading forces escape in a narrow terrain corridor.
The exercise began with an extensive brief which focused on the conduct, organisation, and management of the exercise. The breakdown of the Hunter Force was also outlined as well, and three
teams were to be employed on a rotational basis to maximise the chances of success. This rotation would ensure that the 3 RIFLES Hunter Force always had elements on the ground in hot pursuit of the evading force.
Critical to the success of tracking evading trainees was relaying intel back to the Hunter Force Operations Room whilst on the ground and conducting in depth de-briefs at the conclusion of each rotation. This helped to form future patrols, observation posts, and anticipate future locations of the cunning evading trainees.
Military Working Dogs from 1 MWD Regiment were attached to the Hunter Force to assist with the pursuit of the evading trainees. The inclusion of such a unique asset was invaluable to the team’s success. Furthermore, the demonstration of the MWD’s capabilities was eye-opening and identified the potential to employ similar assets during future operations.
3 RIFLES Hunter Force always had elements on the ground
This exercise was also valuable for those who were interested in pursuing a career in UKSF, as it provided some insight into some of the difficult training required during the special force’s selection process. It also clearly illustrated the
level of commitment and determination required to get through the arduous special force’s selection process. 3 RIFLES were also lucky enough to receive a brief directly from the UKSF Training Team outlining the process of application, the selection process, and the role itself.
In conclusion, Ex PILGRIMS PROGRESS provided a tremendous test for FSp
Coy from the headquarters level to
the Rifleman on the ground. 3 RIFLES coordination and soldiering skills were put to the test throughout, and the cohesion of the company significantly improved as a result.
LCpl Stringer, Anti-Tank Platoon
in hot pursuit of the evading force
22 RIFLES The Bugle
Duchess of Rothesay met families and gave awards
HRH presented Long Service and Good Conduct medals and conversed with our soldiers and their families