Page 44 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

8 RIFLES
Exercise PLATINUM WOLF 21 (PW 21) is an OTX focussed on Defence Engagement with the Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) and multi- national partners across Eastern Europe. This was a particularly important exercise and a great chance for us to deploy as a mixed Company, with half reservists from 8 RIFLES and the remainder from regular units in 51X taken from 2 RIFLES and 3 SCOTS.
On the 28 May 21 we arrived in Serbia to begin the initial stages of PW 21, where we conducted acclimatisation and some unique unarmed combat lessons run by WO2 Brian Hall the RQMS. We were joined by the US National Guard who from the outset became close friends and we took them on PT with us each morning, much to the amusement of the Riflemen who weren’t used to that much singing whilst tabbing.
The next phase saw us combining with nine partner nations to form the main multi- national Battalion. We were involved in various tactical stands where the Platoons rotated through multiple UN Peacekeeping TTP’s taught by instructors from all nations. This included weapon handling, unarmed combat, arrest and restraint, VCPs, First Aid, C-IED, 4C’s, Urban Ops, card alpha, acclimatisation PT
and finally person and vehicle search. During this period it is fair to say that clothing and badges of all kinds became the main currency, thereafter it was not uncommon to see most of the other nations on PT wearing RIFLES and SCOTS T shirts. The training was excellent and exposed young Riflemen to working in host
It is fair to say that clothing and badges of all kinds became the main currency, thereafter it was not uncommon to see most of the other nations on PT wearing RIFLES and SCOTS T shirts
EXERCISE PLATINUM WOLF 21