Page 41 - Bugle Spring 2023

6 RIFLES
A RESERVIST ON OP INTERFLEX
What is Op INTERFLEX?
It’s the UK’s commitment to training Ukrainian forces for the ongoing conflict against invading Russian forces in Ukraine. As of the end of my rotation, the UK as a whole had trained upwards of 9,000 troops in a whole host of trades, from infantry to artillery. By
all accounts, the British trained troops in theatre are some of the most effective on the battlefield.
Where are you from and what was your role?
My name is LCpl Gibson and I’m currently serving with 6 RIFLES. I deployed on Op INTERFLEX with A Company 5 RIFLES for their last rotation and worked as an instructor teaching a section of Ukrainian recruits for the 5-week period.
What were the Ukrainians like?
The Ukrainian recruits we had were a joy to instruct. They were under no pretense that the skills and drills we were teaching them would keep them alive in coming days and help them to defeat the invading forces. As such, they were always full of questions, wanting to absorb as much knowledge
as possible, and wanting to practice and rehearse until they were fully competent and understood the tactics and theory behind it.
Given that they were, for all intents and purposes, civilians when they stepped off the plane in the UK, their attitudes were fantastic, and they faced all the challenges of a hard and fast training program with great enthusiasm. Their morale remained high even in unpredictable British weather and when faced with a rapid learning curve in a massive variety of infantry skills.
The Ukrainian instructors that were attached were similarly a joy to work with. They were incredibly professional, had a
massive wealth of experience, and were able to use this to help deliver training scenarios with the realities on the ground. They were a massive boon to our training program in all aspects and slotted in seamlessly with the British instructors.
What was the training like?
The 5-week course is a no-frills, hard and fast infantry training program that demands a lot from the recruits. It comprises theory and fieldcraft lessons interspersed with multiple exercises, as well as a comprehensive range package. During their time the Ukrainian recruits learnt multiple weapon systems, marksmanship, medical skills as well as the necessities to operate in rural, urban, trench and wooded environments – essentially, anything they may encounter on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Real emphasis was focused on doing the basics well, either as an individual, fire team or section. Every spare moment was used to further develop skills and practice learned lessons, and the training program was well designed to maximize time, training and learning.
Training also adapted to reflect real time, up-to-date tactics in use in theatre; drones were used throughout for example, as was
the UK as a whole had trained upwards of 9,000 troops in a whole host of trades
regular exposure to armoured vehicles and NLAW, as well as the realities of war such as realistic casualty situations using real-life amputees.
The training would not have been
as successful without the incredible professionalism and experience of A Company, 5 RIFLES. Any assets we needed were always available, and throughout
the Company everyone was committed to delivering the best training possible. The other JNCO’s I worked alongside were all massively experienced, having done several rotations before, and were full of knowledge – honestly a real joy to work with. They were also incredibly welcoming and I was treated as one of their own from day one.
Closing thoughts
I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside 5 RIFLES training these men and women to defend their homeland. It was a great and humbling experience throughout, and it was ever present that after the Ukrainians left, they could be doing this for real very soon against an invading enemy force. The knowledge that the skills and drills you teach could actively help keep them alive in the coming weeks is motivation as an instructor. I will certainlremember this experience for a long time to come.
RIFLES The Bugle 41