Page 25 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

4 RIFLES
The
Afghanistan
Retrograde
Afghanistan has suffered a violent and challenging few months during B Coy’s operational cycle. Our deployment has provided
an insight into the drivers of
the ongoing security crisis and helped identify future areas for Specialised Infantry (and in future, the Rangers) to support Afghan security forces.
The persistent threat from the Taliban and wider has led to an intense fighting season after the Eid ceasefire. This difficult environment has been made more challenging by the threat posed by COVID-19 and the US retrograde announced by President Biden on 14 April. Ending what is the US’s longest war has required difficult decisions from
all NATO nations but the UK is well positioned to continue retrograding in good order, bringing to a close
a 20 year campaign. Our partner forces are performing well consid- ering the intense pressure; however, the civilian population continues to suffer during one of Afghanistan’s most violent periods in recent decades. We are providing support to our partners and the government of Afghanistan during this difficult period, and whilst the NATO footprint in country may have reduced, 4 RIFLES will continue to help our allies after the end of the NATO Resolute Support mission. It has been an amazing challenge in these past few months to continue to support both our UK and host nation allies, and Afghanistan will undoubt- edly continue to present testing new challenges and experiences for our Riflemen in the future.
Capt James Blakemore
Team 5 Comd
hovers a few metres over a body of water. The swimmer must then either swim to a Zodiac inflatable, which has also just been thrown from the Chinook, or tread water long enough for a ladder to be dropped down to us for us to climb back into the Chinook.
We have used our month in the USA to learn as much as possible from these highly professional and welcoming soldiers. With another three months working with the US Green Berets we are greatly looking forward to
attending their Special Forces Urban Warfare and
Unconventional Warfare courses this summer. Both courses will provide invaluable skills to share with our Team and partner forces in the future.
Our American hosts have been excep- tionally hospitable. We have been glad to return this hospitability by hosting two Green Berets in Aldershot and we look forward to continuing to develop this prosperous working relationship between 4 RIFLES and the American Green Berets.
Swift and Bold. De Oppresso Liber.
Capt Daniel Unwin Team 6 Comd
Capt Dan Unwin making the most of the US
We look forward to continuing to develop this prosperous working relationship between 4 RIFLES and the American Green Berets
helicopter assets in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, USA
RIFLES The Bugle 25