Page 58 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

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Mobilisation
Op CABRIT 7
WO2 Buckley
Coming immediately on the back of demobilisation from Op RESCRIPT, the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers were sought
to deploy on Op CABRIT 7, the UK component of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) deployed to the Baltics states in response to Russian aggression.
The operational tour was based on the
5 RIFLES BG with additional support from across 20X and would be based in Tapa Camp, Estonia. After a quick turn around and some well-earned leave, 13 soldiers and one officer went to Sennybridge to conduct a quickly put together but well delivered pre-deployment training package that centred around fitness, navigation, and
marksmanship. The intrepid bunch then mobilised smoothly before joining 5 RIFLES in Bulford and prepared for the upcoming tour.
5 RIFLES immediately integrated the Reservists into the Bn with the majority heading to A Coy (The Apples) and the rest spread between FSp and HQ Coy. Maj Bowden-Williams headed off to the Estonian Army as the Brigade Ops Officer and in his own words “went native”, eating black bread and being very direct in his questioning and speech.
Arriving to Estonia in glorious sunny weather, 5 RIFLES took over from 1 FUSILIERS who, despite various frustrations due to COVID-19, had enjoyed a successful
Pte McLaren, From Grantham. Making food for the lads
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