Page 5 - Bugle Spring 2023

FOREWORD
FOREWORD
By The Colonel Commandant General
Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen
This edition of the Bugle reviews another busy six months for The Rifles, during which the regiment has continued to provide battle-winning support to Ukraine, maintained a global deployed presence, and stepped in to provide support to keep the nation moving through an exceptionally challenging winter.
Across the regiment I am inspired by how much our Riflemen consistently contribute to the security of the UK and Europe. 3 RIFLES and 5 RIFLES have continued to train soldiers from the Ukrainian Army, and by Christmas 2022 the 10,000th Ukrainian soldier was trained to defend their country from the Russian invasion. Operation INTERFLEX will continue through this year; there are now
10 partner nations and courses for basic training and junior leaders. 2 RIFLES has been deployed in Estonia and returned in December. 1 RIFLES has deployed to Kenya as part of the Global Regional Hubs, and 4 RANGER have had an excellent first year and are already deployed in seven countries across the Middle East and Asia.
In September the Armed Forces paid
its final tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in impeccable fashion. The period of mourning united our country, and the immaculate execution of Operation LONDON BRIDGE created a focal point for tributes
from around the world to Her Late Majesty’s lifetime of service. The Rifles will be honoured to participate in the coronation of our new Sovereign, King Charles III later this year.
Due to the long-term impact of COVID,
the war in Ukraine and wider pressures, the anticipation was that Winter 2022 would be
a tough one for the UK. As part of our duty
to the nation, the Army stood up to cover the strikes and shortages across the UK. I am immensely grateful to every soldier, airman and sailor who contributed, and specifically
to the Riflemen who covered ambulance drivers over Christmas. It isn’t easy and often isn’t glamourous, but the work of the regiment in support of the public sector has made an enormous difference and has helped keep people safe in their time of need. Thank you for making a huge difference to the country.
One of the things that I am most proud of as Colonel Commandant is the outstanding welfare networks and support offered to our serving Riflemen and veterans. For those in need, the speed and quality of the help on offer has been life-changing and genuinely life-saving. The Always a Rifleman Programme, along with Just Rifles and a pilot scheme with the Forces Equine Charity are increasing the regiment’s reach and ability to provide quality welfare support. Thank you to those who continue to give their time for a worthy and vital purpose.
From Army HQ, I can see that the work of Operation MOBILISE is continuing to clarify what is required of the Army and where it
is best employed. The Rifles, as ever, is at
the beating heart of the Army and I have no doubt that as the war in Ukraine continues to develop through 2023, as the nation deals with a cost-of-living crisis, strikes and challenges abroad, the regiment will be there to support the British people.
Swift and Bold.
RIFLES The Bugle 5