Page 18 - Bugle Spring 2023

3 RIFLES
UK-based training of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
3 RIFLES’ focus for the past six months has been dominated by this operation; which has seen the Battalion temporarily resubordinated to 11 Security Force Assistance (SFA) Brigade at the forefront of UK defence’s contribution to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
This was an infantry training package being delivered in the UK to prepare Ukrainian recruits to become soldiers. The task was established at pace with a camp established, training programmes created and all enabling elements prepared in less than ten days.
The course initially focused on a basic infantry package covering rural, urban, and defensive tactics, battlefield casualty drills, counter explosive ordinance drills and improving the marksmanship of
the trainees. This course was inspired
by the reserve combat infantry course with emphasis placed on lethality and survivability. Subsequent refinement allowed depth to be added, with a
more comprehensive live fire package, introductions to armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) and a prominent battlefield inoculation strand weaved through, instilling a level of mission specific training.
The Battalion has experience with Ukrainian forces from Op ORBITAL (delivered in Ukraine prior to the 2022 invasion). However, we were still taken aback by the trainee’s sheer determination; happily working well into the night on
a regular basis, rehearsing and revising lessons taught and absorbing every possible bit of information from their UK instructors. The recent combat experience of the AFU also provided an excellent opportunity for all Riflemen to develop their own tactics, with regular discussions taking place on the pros and cons of
British drills and demonstrating the way that similar operations were being conducted in theatre.
As 3 RIFLES looks to the future and a re-roll as a SFA Battalion in December 2023 this task has provided an unparalleled opportunity for our future transition - teaching through linguists, alongside JEF
/ NATO partners, to large quantities of trainees. This will give our Battalion an excellent foundation for our new role.
As we come to the end of the six-month training delivery 3 RIFLES will have delivered thirteen courses, training just under 2,600 AFU soldiers – the equivalent to a Brigade. This will undoubtedly have saved Ukrainian lives and contributed to
a positive impact on the course of the ongoing conflict.
Capt Bywater, Operations Officer Battle Captain
18 RIFLES The Bugle
Each course totalled 200 trainees and were supported by Ukrainian linguists
Trainees learnt to attack trench systems
Mutual understanding and learning between the Riflemen and the trainees
AN OFFICERS’ PERSPECTIVE