Page 48 - The Bugle Autumn 2016 Issue 12

CO: Lt Col Bellamy
RSM: WO1 Watson
Bn 2IC: Maj Flynn
Adj: Capt B Sawers
Ops Of cer: Capt Francis IO: Capt Hancock
RAO: Capt O’Shea
OC: Maj Atherden
2IC: Capt Fewster
CSM: WO2 Greenwood
Recce Pl Cmdr: Capt Jones Jav Pl Cmdr: Capt H Sawers Mortars Pl Cmdr: Capt Vergos Snipers Pl Cmdr: WO2 Martin
OC: Maj White 2IC: Capt Quayle CSM: WO2 Scott
OC: Maj Lamb MBE
CSM: WO2 Neal
MT: Capt North
RSO: Capt Corder
RSWO: CSjt Parkinson
Welfare Of cer: Capt Bowerman Det Cmdr: Capt Rignall
RAWO: WO2 Grif ths
OC: Maj Shercliff
2IC: Capt Carrow CSM: WO2 Broughton
QM Main: Maj Mears RQMS Main: WO2 Metcalf QM Tech: Capt Burgess RQMS Tech: WO2 Curson
OC: Maj Hosegood 2IC: Capt Cartright CSM: WO2 Chaytor
CO’s Foreword
2016 has provided the clearest insight yet into what being in the Adaptable Force actually means. The certainty of FORM has been replaced by short notice trawls, transformation in contact and a real sense of adventure. The challenge for the top corridor is to make sure that these opportunities are exploited for the bene t of all ranks and not just the much sought after SCBC quali ed JNCO.
The pace of life is slightly frenetic but I sense that this brings a certain degree of readiness; there is a whiff of anticipation to see what will be thrown our way next. It will be dif cult to match the exploits of the last twelve months, which have seen elements of the battalion deployed across all four corners of the globe. Ri emen from the battalion have popped up in India, Belize, Kenya, Gabon, Somalia, Romania and Saudi Arabia to name but a few. Of note, the range of tasks has been similarly diverse; from Counter-Poaching to Counter-Terrorism – adaptable indeed. This is unlikely to change with B Company on the blocks for a deployment to The Falkland Islands and C Company preparing for a UN peace- keeping task in South Sudan.
We have maintained a strong relationship with 7 RIFLES in Reading and nurtured a blossoming relationship with our paired French unit, The Deuxieme Regiment Etranger d’Infanterie or the Foreign Legion as they are better known.
The battalion has enjoyed a healthy degree of sporting success boasting a champion rugby team and the Army Marathon Champion in CSjt Reeves. Similarly, a scratch shooting team came rst and second in the divisional meeting and then surprised everyone by securing a top ten nish at Bisley.
The ri emen are beginning to regard Lisburn as home rather than merely another posting and although the lure of City Airport is still strong, it is waning. We have received a typical Irish welcome from (most) of the locals and the general wisdom across all elements of the battalion is that Lisburn is a much better location than Ballykinler.
46 SECOND BATTALION
THE RIFLES
2 RIFLES on parade with its NATO partners on Ex SARMIS in Romania
SECONDBATTALION C COY B COY A COY BATTALION HQ
QM’S DEPT HQ COMPANY I COMPANY