Page 18 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

3 RIFLES
EXERCISE NOBLE JUMP
3 RIFLES FSp Coy were tasked as the UK contribution to support Op AGORA. The operation is a NATO article 5 response to an act of aggression, by a force, against another NATO member country. In 2020 FSp Coy were tasked as the Op AGORA Very High Readiness Task Force (Land) (VJTF(L)) component. The structure of the Coy was to provide three combat teams of 6 Jackal and 24 men each from across the spectrum of FSp Pls into
an operational Intelligence, Surveillance
and Reconnaissance Coy. VJTF(L) Bde was commanded by a Turkish Mech Bde HQ and Sp Bn with an Italian IFV Coy, US Abrams Tank Sqn, Spanish and Romanian Mech Coys with support from Italian, Spanish and Turkish 120mm Mortars. Specialists supported the Bde from a Polish CBRN Pl and a Latvian EOD Pl. In total 8 countries and over 1100 personal took part on Ex NOBLE JUMP 2 held in Romania.
The newly formed ISR Coy deployed early ahead of the Bde HQ on 12 Apr 21, 4 weeks ahead of schedule due to the early arrival of the RoRo in Marchwood. The original plan was to test the CONEMP of STRIKE and drive the full distance from Edinburgh to Cincu, 1900 miles across five countries. However, COVID played its part as the enemy and forestalled the drive across Europe. Undeterred the ISR Grp took the RoRo from Marchwood, along with 6 Bn REME, 1 RLC, 5 MED and 21 Sigs elements to support us through the Ex. I planned to take full advantage of this opportunity of gaining four weeks in