Page 38 - Bugle Spring 2023

6 RIFLES
Ex ASKARI
STORM
Between August and December, a combined force of reservists from 6,7 and 8 RIFLES, 5th Fusiliers and the Royal Yeomanry joined together with 1 RIFLES to engage ASKARI STORM 22/3. The mobilisation came after a very successful PDT on 6 RIFLES ADE and a commitment on Op UNITY to assist with the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Having followed on from a PDT and separate mobilisation the reserve company were already well accustomed to working together, and so the move to working in Beachley Barracks
to integrate with 1 RIFLES was a natural progression. When they reached Beachley the reserve cohort split, with personnel slotting into roles across all five of 1 RIFLES’ Companies, from Platoon Serjeant in a RIFLE Company, to clerks in HQ and Riflemen in Mortars.
The reserves spent a month at Beachley before deploying to Kenya, in which time
they conducted introductions to Support Company assets, integration activities and an introduction to the joys of CO’s Battle PT. These first few weeks of integration demonstrated on paper a proof of concept of reserve force generation if nothing else, as the influx of reservists brought Regular company manning up to the level where a large-scale overseas exercise was now possible.
Once in Kenya, the battlegroup undertook a week long RSOI package, including acclimatisation and a wilderness package in which the battlegroup was introduced to the multitude of different Kenyan tribes who they might interact with during their time in the country, as well as crucial introduction to dangerous wildlife. “You’re not here to
be doctor curious!” We were told, a lasting message as we went on to interact with every member of the big five bar rhinos as well as tarantulas, snakes and hyenas throughout our exercises.
The first phase of training was named WARRIOR and consisted of five day’s dry training followed by a five day live fire build up, delivered all by the Companies. WARRIOR presented a perfect introduction to the conditions of Kenya, with temperatures in the day hitting around 32 degrees Celsius. Training was moderate, focusing on platoon level actions to build the skills, drills and integration of troops. Ending with live platoon night attacks, an experience rarely found in
we went on to interact with every member of the big five
a reservist’s normal training, and one which was massively exhilarating. Here we saw the proper start to reservists integrating
into 1 RIFLES. Bonds that were tentatively started in Beachley were forged fully in the field. Individuals began to show their own mettle, often surpassing the sometimes-held view of reservist skills being inferior to their counterparts.
Post WARRIOR the Battlegroup travelled North up to Archer’s Post, a desert training area where temperatures reached approximately
40 degrees in the day, a sweltering heat in which to conduct a large-scale company live fire exercise. The CALFEX consisted of all three Rifle Companies in turn running through a
day and night live ranges. Each of these lanes pushed our Riflemen to their limit physically and mentally, operating as a full Company over treacherous ground balancing skills and drills with strict safety concerns.
The night attack was especially demanding. Troops fought over the ‘Whale’s Back,’ a series of three ridges with steep scree slopes all in black light; with nothing but their own night vision sights to see with. In the UK a ‘black light’ attack such as this is difficult enough, but in the desert, with minimal light pollution or man-made structures, the conditions were exceedingly tough.
38 RIFLES The Bugle