Page 9 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

In August 21, 3 Platoon A Company led by Lieutenant Oli Jones and Serjeant Joseph Poole deployed on Exercise ASKARI STORM 3/21, joining C Coy 2 RIFLES.
They spent three months in Kenya performing live firing and dry training, the latter battling enemy forces performed by the Grenadier Guards. Throughout the exercise
the platoon became familiar with gruelling night time insertion marches, the relentless Kenyan heat, and circumnavigating dangerous wildlife. A particular highlight was Rifleman Brendan Smith going toe-to-toe with two
lions on one such patrol. The exercise also led
3 Platoon
to standout performances. These included Rifleman Warren Roache stepping up as a section commander on the final mission who, despite being cut off from his platoon during a standing patrol, managed to fight his section’s way back to the company; and the platoon’s capture of an enemy company operations staff, including OC and 2IC. To round off the deployment, the platoon was able to exploit adventure training opportunities, entertained by Riflemen Alex Purslow’s back flips and the tight knit morale amongst the group.
A Coy – Contested
Urban Environment 2021
Experiment
Between 27 Sep 21 – 15 Oct 21, 2 Platoon A Company led by Lieutenant Aidan Roche and Serjeant Oliver Bond undertook the Contested Urban Environment 2021 Experiment in Portsmouth.
Its aim was to address problems concerning operations within the urban environment using new technologies. 2 Platoon was deployed
as trials troops in a fictitious scenario conducting experiments in five separate vignettes: pre-deployment, deployment to theatre, establishing a defended location, escalation of security and strike ops. In practice, this saw them patrol with a range of sensors that tracked movement around the city.
A particular highlight was Rifleman Brendan Smith going toe-to-toe with two lions
They reacted to information from these sensors whilst drawing on Unmanned Ground Vehicles for resupply and CASEVAC. During the exercise
2 Platoon was able to exploit gaps in the training programme to perform their own urban training at Fort Blockhouse, a complex urban facility including decommissioned accommodation blocks, a submarine school, and offices.
3 Platoon Command group
Robotic and Autonomous Systems support the Riflemen by giving them enhanced awareness of the environment and potential threats
RIFLES The Bugle 9
1 RIFLES
Significant Events
• UKRU. Supporting and planning NHS vaccinations. Jul-Dec 21
• STTT to The Gambia, Sep-Nov 21
• A Coy Contested Urban Environment Experiment, Sep-Oct 21
• B Coy DSA Experimentation Ex on Salisbury Plain. Nov 21
• Op TOSCA 35, PDT, MRX and deployment. Jun-Dec 21
• UKRU. Testing in S Wales and London. Jan-Feb 22
• Ex KRONOS BUGLE. A Coy OTX in Cyprus. Jan-Feb 22
• RiP from Op TOSCA 35. Mar-Apr 22
• S Coy Cadres. May-Jun 22
Ex ASKARI STORM
LAST SIX MONTHS
NEXT SIX MONTHS