Page 30 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

5 RIFLES
B COMPANY BREAK BACK
In April of this year, B Coy 5 RIFLES deployed to Imber Village, Salisbury Plain, to conduct some much-anticipated urban training
on Ex BUGLE’S FIRST STRIKE. Under the capable tutelage of Cpl Stuart, Cpl Willerton and LCpl Newman, the first couple of days stripped the training back to the basics with the emphasis on methods of entry, room clearance and stacks. Thereafter, section commanders drilled their respective sections, honing SOPs and blowing away the inevitable lockdown cobwebs. Delivered at a steady pace and with generally favour- able weather, all the Riflemen were visibly engaged and enthused.
From there the focus shifted to night operations. Monocles donned and lasers fitted, the company re-familiarized themselves with their specialist equipment, harnessing the darkness to their advantage. The penultimate day saw the Company establish and hold defensive platoon houses. With probing attacks launched sporadically throughout the course of the day, their alertness and counter-attacking potential was put to the test. With the role- playing insurgent enemy eventually repelled, the Riflemen settled into night routine, steeling themselves for the events of the final morning.
Stepping off from a start point at regular intervals, each platoon lugged itself up and down the series of imposing peaks and troughs surrounding Imber Village.
30 RIFLES The Bugle
B Company’s grit and determination shone through as each man made it through the gruelling 3-mile route, arriving in good order at a Form Up Point just outside the village. From there, platoons fought their way from street to street, clearing through obstacles and defeating any enemy found inside. The village finally secured, the company enjoyed a thoroughly well-earned breakfast, before posing for photos.
After a long break from soldiering, much
of which spent behind computer screens
on Zoom lessons, it was clear that all had relished the opportunity to be back in the field performing their trade. The exercise has laid the foundations for success for B Company, who are set to deploy on Ex GAULISH, a month-long Urban Operations Exercise, in France at the end of the year.
2Lt Adam Pearson, 5 Pl, B Coy
Cpl Carpenter leads
B Company back together after a long lockdown lull
Platoons fought their way from street to street, clearing through obstacles
his section into battle