Page 65 - The Bugle Autumn 2016 Issue 12

Ex SHAMROCK CATERER
Members of 2 RIFLES Catering Platoon entered Exercise Shamrock Caterer on the 25 May 16. The competition is for the best of 38X chefs to compete against each other for the right to continue on to the next level of competition and compete at Army Sustainer. 2 RIFLES Catering Department’s Team of Cpl Gilbert, LCpl Jarvis and Pte McDowell did exceptionally well, winning in 2 categories (Junior Fish and Junior Chef of the year) as well as coming 3rd overall in the competition. A great effort all round. WO2 J Windle RCWO
HMS Bulwark
In June 2016 members of 9 Platoon were their rough departure back to Ballykinler beach in
AS THE SUN SLOWLY WENT
DOWN, THE RIFLEMEN WERE TREATED
TO AN OUTSTANDING VIEW OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND COASTLINE
tasked with supporting HMS BULWARK on an amphibious training exercise using the sea and the beach at Ballykinler Camp. 9 Platoon were initially put through their paces by the members of HMS BULWARK on the correct procedure for mounting and dismounting rigid in atable boats and cross decking from the Royal Navy’s amphibious landing craft to the rigid in atable boats.
During the day the platoon conducted various blank ring amphibious assaults on the beach. They boarded one of the amphibious landing crafts to get onto HMS BULWARK using the correct procedures that they had been taught earlier in the day.
After a long day of amphibious assaults the Ri emen were brought alongside the ship, the landing craft was then winched up to the deck of the HMS BULWARK and all the Ri emen were welcomed aboard. They were then taken down in to the ships galley for a warm meal and a few hot “wets”. After a warm welcome the Ri emen were then introduced to a Royal Marine Warrant Of cer who took them on a tour of the ship. He explained some of the capabilities, including the different vehicles it had on board and the procedure for HMS BULWARK when going into battle.
As the sun slowly went down, the Ri emen were treated to an outstanding view of the Northern Ireland coastline and the Mourne Mountains.
As darkness fell the Ri emen were scrambled back on to the amphibious landing craft to begin
order to conduct a night time amphibious assault. The assault was conducted using rocket ares to light up the sky for the main attack.
As the exercise concluded the weapons were cleaned before getting a good night’s rest after a busy, demanding and successful exercise together with HMS BULWARK. The Ri emen enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside the Navy and Marines and attack their former home.
Sjt Fox, Pl Sjt 9 Platoon
THE RIFLES
SECOND BATTALION 63
2 RIFLES nal get to assault Ballykinler form the sea using the Royal Marine rigid in atable boats
Daytime assault on the beach in preparation for a night time attack