Page 34 - The Bugle Autumn 2016 Issue 12

Rocky, wooded terrain on Ex IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
Exercise Steppe Eagle (Jul 16)
Ex STEPPE EAGLE was the biggest multinational Exercise the MOD has held in the UK this year, and was planned and run by 1 RIFLES. The exercise consisted of troops from the UK, US, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Kazakhstan is seeking to develop its Peacekeeping capability and it was a privilege to be able to assist them. This year STEPPE EAGLE was designed to allow the Kazakhs to conduct a Self Evaluation with the NATO monitoring team observing and thus moving a step closer towards UN accreditation. It also gave the Tajiks and Kyrgyz an introduction to Peacekeeping Operations. The exercising Brigade consisted of two mixed nationality battalions working to HQ 160 Inf Brigade as the higher command element. C Company, 1 RIFLES was attached to the Kazakhstan Battalion
ALTHOUGH NO OSCARS WERE AWARDED TO ANY INDIVIDUALS, THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT FROM THE COMPANY GAVE THE ENTIRE EXERCISE A SENSE OF REALISM
and A Company ran EXCON and COEFOR and the rst phase of the exercise, with the QMs enabling the Real Life Support. The Exercise lasted 20 days and was split between Company battle exercises and a nal test exercise, based on a Peacekeeping scenario which tested Public Order, Cordon and Search, the integration of civil agencies and anti-smuggling patrolling.
The COEFOR element of the exercise allowed the Ri emen to display their acting talents as they really got into their role as either terrorist or an innocent member of the community. With many different scenarios being tested the Ri emen had to play a plethora of roles such as village elder, doctor, mayor, smuggler, insurgent, police chief, refugee and many more. Although no Oscars were awarded to any individuals, the collaborative effort from the company gave the entire exercise a sense of realism and added immeasurably to the quality of training delivered. It also ensured that the exercising troops were adequately tested in ‘soft’ skills such as dealing with vulnerable groups, de-escalation of situations and mediation of arguments.
The nal ceremony was hosted by Maj Gen Hill – Comd 1(UK) Div and Lt General Garret - Comd US Army Central Comd, accompanied by a variety of ambassadors.
32 FIRST BATTALION
THE RIFLES