Page 9 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

Ex WESSEX STORM
1 RIFLES
outstanding achievement and great initiative.
After enjoying the ‘comforts’ of a battlegroup leaguer, A Coy’s exercise culminated with a BG night raid into Caerwent deploying in Chinook helicopters. The combination of helicopters and going to fight in our own backyard all added to the excitement levels for all ranks. The Riflemen displayed excellent awareness and individual skill throughout, with A Coy
yet again leading the SCOTS BG attack and demonstrating the light infantry in complex environments. Cpl Matthew Page led the clearance of a well defended compound, whilst LCpl Sam Dutson achieved the bonus capture of a high value target.
Final special mentions go to Cpl Dirk Adendorff for his relentless pursuit for company communications and LCpl Christopher Williams (B Coy) who deployed in the comfortable role of driver – later to find himself charging around the battlefield and repelling an enemy counter- attack as the OC’s radio operator.
It was a great run out for A Coy and the opportunity to work with two different Battle- groups. The exercise proved demanding and an invaluable training opportunity. It tested the Riflemen’s determination and professionalism and sets the Company in good stead for whatever may come its way soon.
In June A Coy deploy onto Salisbury Plain on Ex WESSEX STORM to join both the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (SCOTS DG) and
the Royal Irish (1 RIRISH) Battlegroups. The exercise was one of the largest tactical exercises on the Plain for years; with 7 Brigade HQ deployed and the Light Brigade Support Group also being exercised.
After a period of COVID isolation and a rigorous testing regime the Coy eventually deployed. The Coy’s first task was a night- time occupation of Imber Village. During
the break-in Cpl Elliot Niescior marked and avoided trip-flares identified through night vision to lead the company safely in. Once platoon houses were occupied the Company conducted reassurance patrols to under- stand an increasingly hostile population and night-time reconnaissance patrols to identify enemy militia. Major Ed Richardson quickly took to attempting to break the scenario
with an influence matrix presenting options
to CO SCOTS DG to win over the population. Concurrently the Riflemen prepared defences and rehearsed actions-on, with LCpl Zachary Newlin and Rfn Alfie O’Donohoe leading efforts to build a web of wire and trip-flares.
The scenario developed, leading to a planned extraction of the SCOTS DG BG and A Coy. However, it was not long before A Coy were back on the attack; this time attached
to the 1 RIRISH BG. A Coy led a BG advance
to contact, which saw a deliberate obstacle crossing followed by a night hunt for enemy armour. The move saw several destroyed
T90 tanks and hasty orders to lead 1 RIRISH’s assault into the village – preceded with a
mile sprint into the FUP! The Riflemen gained a foothold, whilst small teams continued to hunt armour on the flanks. 1 RIRISH companies then echeloned through A Company to secure Imber.
Next, both battlegroups came together
to perform a brigade operation to defeat an enemy advance by securing the strongholds of Imber Village and Copehill Down. A Coy was given the task of holding Imber against an enemy armoured company group equipped with Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior infantry fighting vehicles and CVRT recce vehicles. After a prolonged and intensive battle, A Coy held firm. Lt Tom Conlon’s 1 Platoon repelled enemy counterattacks from within the village, whilst Lt Oli Jones’ 3 Platoon positioned themselves on high ground to call in fire from Apache attack helicopters. A Coy 1 RIRISH
led a counterattack bringing an end to the battle. During the engagement Rfn Ryan Cook single-handedly defeated a Challenger 2, immobilising it with smoke grenades, before attacking its commander with his GPMG – an
Cpl Matthew Page
led the clearance of a well defended compound, whilst LCpl Sam Dutson achieved the bonus capture
of a high value target
The overall winners of the 7 Brigade Operational Shooting Competition (Regulars) with the .303 Lee-Enfield Rifle Trophy. Clockwise, the team is made up of: Rifleman Louis Heitzman, Lieu- tenant Henry Park, Corporal Gareth Davies, Rifleman Luke Richardson-Knight, Rifleman Jacob Thruston, Lance Corporal Owen Sobey, Rifleman Logan Dike, Rifleman William David-Jarman.
Operational Shooting Victory
In May, 1 RIFLES both organised and entered two teams to the 7th Infantry Brigade Operational Shooting Competition at Hythe Ranges, Kent. The competition brought six regular teams together from across the Brigade over three days firing eight different shoots which were designed to test our combat marksmanship from distances of 500m all the way down to 10 meters with a combination of rifle and pistol.
The first team from the Battalion was formed from the best shots within each company. This team then undertook four weeks of
training under the watchful eye of Cpl Danny Stanton from The Rifles’ Marksmanship Unit. This unit, comprising a mix of ex Snipers, Bisley- 100 winners, and eagle-eyed sharpshooters provided considerable experience, and their tutelage gave us just the right amount of skill and confidence to enter the competition with a hope of victory. Conversely, the Battalion’s second team, led by Lt Robert Oatts, competed with only minimal preparation and still managed to comfortably place second in the Brigade – which no doubt says a lot about our Chosen Men.
The competition culminated in a knockout rifle falling plate compe- tition. A great spectator event, which saw the Brigade Commander compete against a number of Commanding Officers from across the Brigade. Overall, 1 RIFLES teams placed first and second, with the first team securing the top three individual shots in the Brigade.
The competition then went on into the weekend for the Army Reserves units of 7th Inf Bde. 6 RIFLES, our paired Reserves Battalion represented the Regiment at the Reserves competition and came away with the winning team trophy. Overall a good week for RIFLES shooting.
RIFLES The Bugle 9