Page 16 - Falcon Issue 1 2024

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F COMPANY
March 2021 saw the formation of
F Company, 2 RANGER, a Gurkha sub-unit originally designated B Coy, Third Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles. This Gurkha sub-unit integrated into the Battalion to assist with a sharp kukri-edge over our adversaries.
F Coy were thrown wholesale into the RAC, following G Coy, 4 RANGER who led the way the year before. After 2 weeks of assessments, F Coy completed the cadre with a pass rate of 96%, a promising beginning. However, this was just their first
step on a long journey of integration into 2 PWRR, a unit with significant operational experience and expertise operating with international partners. F Coy were well prepared by their new unit HQ and strongly supported by their new sister Coys ahead
of the unconventional warfare exercise EX ASKARI SPEAR in Kenya.
The Ex was a steep learning curve for F Coy; the key to unlocking Ex ASKARI SPEAR was earning the trust and support of local villagers and host nation partner forces to offer alternative courses of action to our higher HQ.
The next phase of F Coy’s development saw their delivery of Ex GREY SHARD, an intensive planning cycle which required the Coy to deliver strategic planning options
to Bde HQ. The Coy Commander, Maj André Genillard, led the charge, developing the junior officers and NCOs to ultimately confirm F
Coy were prepared to deploy on operations.
Eight months on Op TANGHAM in Somalia followed for the majority of the Company, with the rest deploying in support of 1 RANGER to Nigeria in various roles. This was a testing, but rewarding time for the Coy.
The key to unlocking Ex ASKARI SPEAR was earning the trust and support of local villagers and host nation partner forces
to offer alternative courses of action to our higher HQ
Following theses extended deployments, and some leave,
F Coy had to regroup at pace
to deliver the Junior Leadership Courses on Op INTERFLEX, with support from the other three Battalions. The Ranger Regiment provided crucial expertise and training to the junior leaders of the Ukrainian Army. This task was unmeasurably rewarding.
Following the many months committed to Op INTERFLEX during the contingency cycle, F Coy said farewell to many of its soldiers and officers and welcomed in a new tranche of newly qualified Rangers from across the Brigade
of Gurkhas. As the end of the year approaches, F Coy prepares itself thoroughly on the training cycle, for what promises to be another extremely busy Operations Cycle.
Training allies on Op INTERFLEX