Page 42 - The Bugle Issue 12 Autumn 2016

Defence Engagement
This year saw 1 RIFLES Defence Engagement in Central Asia enter new territory. The Battalion continued its commitment to Ex STEPPE EAGLE in Kazakhstan, deployed a short term training team to Uzbekistan, participated in an international sniper competition in Kazakhstan and hosted KAZBAT on a UN peacekeeping validation exercise on STANTA.
Ex STEPPE EAGLE 16 is the 13th year the Exercise has taken place. The Exercise is vital in assisting Kazakhstan’s development of a capable peacekeeping force which is preparing to qualify for UN peacekeeping operations in the future. The rst of this year’s STTTs to Illisky in Kazakhstan deployed in an observer mentor capacity to assist KAZBAT deliver training and to work with the Arizona National Guard to deliver a nal exercise as preparation before their deployment to the UK in July. The training delivered by the KAZBAT was to a high standard; this is testament to the hard work of previous training teams and the Kazakhs’ determi- nation to achieve their ambition of deploying on UN operations.
In mid May a smaller group deployed to Forish in Uzbekistan to deliver the rst training by British
THE TRAINING WAS WELL RECEIVED BY ALL OF THE UZBEKS AND SIGNIFICANT GAINS WERE MADE IN THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE UK AND UZBEKISTAN
troops for over a decade. The training focused on a basic MATTs package of rst aid, navigation, CIED and included patrolling. The training was well received by all of the Uzbeks that took part and signi cant gains were made in the relationships between the UK and Uzbekistan. The exercise stood as a good foundation for future training teams; there was a clear appetite for more and a structure and format for the exercise is well established.
In June 2Lt Robertson, Sjt Thomas, LCpls Strat- ton-Lee and Mills deployed to participate in Ex GOLDEN OWL, an international sniper competition held near to Kazakhstan’s capital Astana. The pair both performed admirably amongst an experienced and determined cohort.
This year 160 Inf Bde hosted a pioneering recip- rocal element to Ex STEPPE EAGLE which saw a Company from the KAZBAT deploy to STANTA. A total of 798 troops took part in the Exercise, from the UK, US, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. C Company provided the exercising troops; with elements of the Company deployed on Op SHADER an Arizona National Guard platoon was attached to bring the Company up to full strength. Following 5 days of battle exercises the Company was integrated into the KAZBAT for the nal exercise, focusing on Peace Support Operations.
Overall it has been a busy but successful period of Defence Engagement with Central Asia. During the high tempo of the Op SHADER deployment the Battalion has maintained an enduring Defence Engagement commitment to Kazakhstan and explored new opportunities in other Central Asian countries.
Capt Guy Walker, OC Recce Platoon
Working with the Kazakh Peacekeeping Battalion
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THE RIFLES