Page 28 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

4 RIFLES
R Company on Exercise BOLD LEGION
Exercise BOLD LEGION was a joint interop- erability exercise between a team from R Company and an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) Team from the Green Berets.
It was a novel opportunity for them both
to integrate and train in the UK and further develop the strong relationship between our battalions. The exercise sought to challenge both teams and provide opportunities to exchange knowledge, develop new skills and build capacity ahead of future training and operations.
Within 48 hours of arrival, the ODA stood
in the heart of the Welsh mountains looking
at the path ascending into the snow and fog; an unseasonal but unsurprising weather pattern for early May! Led by three R Coy Team members, the two teams set off in fighting order and with intent. At the summit they met the CO and RSM eager to run down to the turn- around point. True to form, Brecon provided
all four seasons in a day and the Teams completed the 23 km route in clear sunshine, much to the shock of the ODA.
The Teams swiftly reset for a tactics phase and commenced planning the first direct action together. Fatigued and integrated with unfamiliar members, all those involved were pushed outside their comfort zone and learnt swiftly. The teams opted to alternate using
the US and UK planning processes for the
two main actions to maximise knowledge exchange. Bonds were built quickly, and troops wasted no time exchanging tactics and ideas. The reconnaissance tasks were supported
by an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pair from the Household Cavalry Regiment who
fed back crucial imagery and information into the planning process. They provided expertise on the exercise and have also supported 4 RIFLES in growing our own UAS capability. The resulting kinetic raids brought together a 36-hour cycle of planning, enabling actions and rehearsals to successfully detain the targets.
Following on from the exercise, both teams moved to the west of England and conducted three days of progressive
climbing training.
This included boul-
dering, indoor
climbing and multi-pitch outdoor climbs at increasing levels of difficulty. The training supported the ODA in preparation for an exercise in Alaska and introduced the R Coy Team to tactical climbing. After two days of training, the package culminated at an urban climbing facility in a tactical scenario.
The exercise was a brilliant opportunity
for R Coy to maintain currency during the contingency cycle whilst challenging the Team physically and conceptually. Looking ahead, the exercise will set the conditions for more regular training opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic providing training opportunities
to develop competency and capability within 4 RIFLES and enable Teams to
continue to build skillsets, interoper- ability and relationships.
Captain Toby Blackmore
Team Commander
Teams conduct joint
28 RIFLES The Bugle
Teams conduct a
joint raid onto a target
At the summit they met the CO and RSM eager to run down to the turn- around point
training in harsh conditions