Page 92 - The Bugle Issue 12 Autumn 2016

The 5 Pl HQ enjoy some down time on Ex MAPLE RESOLVE
...AS WELL AS ENJOYING THE NOVELTY
OF SEEING SEVERAL LARGE BLACK BEARS AROUND THE DEFENSIVE POSITION!
Ex MAPLE RESOLVE
In May 2016, B Company deployed to Canada on Exercise Maple Resolve. The aim of the exercise was to continue integration and relationship-building with the Canadian forces speci cally our sister regiment the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). This relationship was formed origi- nally between 2 RGJ and the PPCLI, and 4 RIFLES now proudly upholds it.
The exercise itself was a nal test for the brigade about to assume readiness, and consisted of a two week force-on-force exercise on the Wainwright training area, using simulation to track engage- ments. B Company deployed early to conduct two weeks of company-level training, ground famil- iarisation and integration with the Royal Canadian Dragoons battlegroup, who would be providing the enemy for the exercise. The training time allowed the ri emen to get hands on the Canadian anti-armour weapons as well as become familiar with Canadian armoured vehicle recognition. Time was also spent building up and reinforcing defensive positions that would be occupied at a later stage and preparing extraction and reinforcement routes.
Upon the exercise going live B Company’s rst tasking was to deploy north to an area named Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. Here the tasking was as a stand-alone company to occupy and defend a small village complex made out of iso-containers. We would then be attacked by a battalion of light role
infantry (3 PPCLI) being inserted by both parachute and helicopters. It proved to be an excellent oppor- tunity for both ri emen and commanders to test their patrolling skills in extremely close terrain as well as enjoying the novelty of seeing several large black bears around the defensive position!
Upon completion of the Cold Lake serial we moved back to the main exercise on Wainwright training area. Here we re-joined the rest of the enemy battle group and continued to ght a running battle of both offensive and defensive actions as the friendly-force armoured brigade continued to try and defeat us. Throughout the following ten days B Company had much success destroying a large number of armoured vehicles, almost an entire enemy battalion and conducting an aviation raid on a battle group CP which proved so effective that it threw the brigade into disarray with substantial re-planning required in order for them to continue the exercise.
In summary, Ex MAPLE RESOLVE was a brilliant exercise, with the opportunity to train in such varied terrain against a signi cantly better equipped and larger enemy meaning that commanders at all levels were challenged. The ri emen enjoyed the chance to train with our allies both Canadian and American as well as to experience another variant of armoured vehicle from our own.
Lt Pete Henriques, 6 Platoon Commander
90 FOURTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES
A Company’s af liation with Eton College has CCF continues to be extremely successful. Since
continued with OC A Coy assisting in the Biannual Review of the Eton College CCF, inspecting the cadets and attending a Regimental Dinner. The company also recently sent a section to Thetford to assist with the Annual South West CCF Summer Camp, run by the 1 Arty Bde Cadet Training Team, where they helped with instruction and provided demonstration troops. B Company’s planned support to the Cambridge University OTC summer camp in Otterburn unfortunately had to be cancelled due to operational deployment, although plans are in place to continue this positive relationship next year. OC B Coy conducted an inspection of the Bishops Waltham ACF Troop, visiting a training evening which proved to be both enthusiastical- ly-run and well-attended.
January, Lt D’Souza and 11 Platoon have facili- tated live ring with ri es, sniper ri es and pistols. They have also supported Winchester’s annual CCF Camp in Caerwent, Wales as well as conducting training sessions with the College’s CCF Brigade Cadet Competition squad and have hosted several of the school boys at New Normandy Barracks in the Of cers’ Mess. S Company has conducted a number of meetings with the Southampton University OTC staff to arrange training support over the coming year. Skill at Arms instructors from the company have supported an OTC training evening, and there are plans to send young of cers to support OTC recruitment evenings, to provide instruction on Estimate training sessions and also to take part in some OTC-run Adventure Training.
R Company’s support to Winchester College Maj Andy Boardman, Outreach Of cer
Outreach to CCFs and OTCs