Page 23 - Falcon Issue 1 2024

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COMMANDING OFFICER’S INTRO
This year we have deployed over 250 people across 25 different countries, predominantly in the Middle East
and Asia. We continue to rotate a company of around 30-50 people through Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq every six months where our focus remains helping Britain’s allies counter terrorism, constrain hostile state activity, and secure their borders.
In the Levant one of the principal security concerns is the flow of illegal drugs across the region from Syria and in Jordan we are responding to
a direct request from His Majesty King Abdullah II to help contain that problem.
As ever, our Rangers have taken
to the challenge. Our persistence in the region has also proven valuable
in itself. Following the Israel crisis,
our Rangers in Lebanon and Jordan are at the forefront of providing our government an understanding of its impact there as well as options to evacuate British citizens should it
be necessary. Throughout they have been, and are, working hand-in-glove with our international partners whom we have forged close bonds with. Finally, whilst our commitment is
relatively small compared to the rest of the Army, particularly The Rifles, we have a team of around 12 people permanently training Ukrainian soldiers here in England. This is perhaps our most rewarding role given what each of those soldiers leaves us to do.
We have
a team of around
12 people permanently training Ukrainian soldiers here in England
Indeed, the conflict in Europe has re-focused us on developing our warfighting roles this year. The Chief of the General Staff wants the British Army to be able to fight and win wars on land and our regiment is responding to that challenge. We have spent a
Welcoming our Jordanian partners to New Normandy Barracks
Competing with our US allies during 1SFG(A)’s Menton Week Challenge