Page 56 - The Bugle Issue 12 Autumn 2016

WE SHOULD ALSO NOTE OUR INCREASINGLY CAPABLE SNIPER PL, NOW HOLD THE RECORD FOR THE LONGEST TES KILL (1300M)
I Company overview
This has been a busy year of change and innovation for I Company. A new OC, a fresh set of Platoon Commanders (in some cases twice!) and Platoon seconds in command. The company has had to remain exible in the battalion’s other tasks year.
Throughout the year the company has develop some very interesting concepts that have begun to bear fruit across the Bn and perhaps further. The OC has driven a physical training experiment based on the US Rangers programme. In a direct bid to reduce injury rates whilst maintaining performance, the coy spent 4 months on the new regime. It bore fruit on Exercise RAGING BUGLE when the Coy suffered no training injuries compared to a 10% injury rate in the ri e coys. More work is to be done, but initial ndings are very positive.
In January, the coy deployed a sizeable element to Kenya for Exercise ASKARI STORM. Together once again as a company for Exercise ASKARI WARRIOR, I Company deployed to a remote Harbour Area detached by some distance from the rest of the battalion. There, we conducted some excellent dry and live ring. Of particular note, Recce Pl under Capt Rhys Jones conducted the rst live contact drill from inside an OP followed by a 1km withdrawal from contact. The SASC rep from 1 Div was so excited that he almost got left behind as he lmed the range. We should also note our increasingly capable sniper Pl, now hold the record for the longest TES kill (1300m). They also had the culmination of a badging cadre, with three snipers badging in Kenya.
Commander 38 (Irish) Bde, Brig Andrew Roe visited for a shoot off with the OC on Sharpshooter and Sniper Ri e. Unfortunately for the brigadier, Maj Atherden was well prepped by the Pl and he was presented with his ‘Second Best Shot in 38X’ trophy by WO2 Martin.
For the remainder of the Exercise, the Coy dispersed to support the Ri e Coys. Here we exper- imented with a new ISTAR concept, combing tradi- tional recce capabilities with those of Javelin and Snipers to provide the Company Commander with a new level of understanding about the battle eld. The experiment was broadly successful and led onto further work and a possible permanent re-ORBAT of the Coy to maximise the opportunity.
A very busy year for the Coy outside of work as well, with no fewer than seven new fathers (including the OC – twin girls, the CSM a new son, and Sjt Hemmings who now has a son.). Sadly we have had to say good-bye to WO2 Martin whose excellent work with the snipers has created a legacy that will last for years, who moves to loan Service with Oman. Sjt Bermingham moved to 5 RIFLES, Sjts Bailey, Low, Kinivuwai and Cullinane have all moved to PSI appointments in our Reserve Companies. Capt Luke Whit eld-Jones has moved onto more exciting things and Capt Harry Sawers is now ADC for Gen Storrie – we wish them all well.
Maj B Atherden, OC I Company
ISTAR group provide over watch as the company clears the low ground
54 SECOND BATTALION
THE RIFLES