Page 8 - Bugle Spring 2023

1 RIFLES
Ex ASKARI STORM
from the perspective of the RG
Being part of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG) means coming from
a small unit focused on light role soldiering at platoon and company level. Exposure to the wider army outside of the Queens Division is limited due to our affiliations and location. The fact that we were able to work as part of 1 RIFLES in a Battle Group context has been both an honour, and a real eye-opener to the mechanics of a much larger war machine.
9 Platoon, C Company, during Ex ASKARI STORM, consisted of an RG platoon with three attached Riflemen from 5 RIFLES. We were able to be part of Battle Group manoeuvres and learn about the battle rhythm and tactics employed at this level. It was a great opportunity to see the logistics, ES and medical chains being tested throughout the exercise.
One of the highlights from 9 Platoon was the final action on CALFEX. This was a live, black, Company assault on steep, rocky mountains in the region of Archers Post. The live mortars and machine guns firing, with tracer ricochet filling the sky, whilst the Recce Platoon guided us into position before a difficult assault will be a memorable moment for all of us in the RG.
It has been an ideal platform to learn about bush tactics and practice some hard soldiering. It has also provided an opportunity to show off the skills we continue to develop and hone ourselves in Gibraltar and demonstrate what we are about in the RG. From pre-deployment training, all the way through to the end
of Ex ASKARI STORM, we have been
welcomed and found ourselves a home with 1RIFLES. It has truly been a pleasure to work alongside such a professional body of soldiers over the last five months, adapting to the different approaches that mark our two Regiments apart. Truly, every soldier is a Rifleman.
From the RG, the First Battalion will always have friends and allies in Gibraltar. We look forward to working with you in the future. Up The Rifles!
Lt Rhodri Thomas
Royal Gibraltar Regiment
9 Pl Comd
8 RIFLES The Bugle
The RG on a GPMG range
An RG soldier on Ex ASKARI VIKING
The live mortars and machine guns firing, with tracer ricochet filling the sky, whilst the
Recce Platoon guided us
into position