Page 80 - The Bugle Autumn 2016 Issue 12

AT ENDEX,
GOC 3 DIV THANKED THE COMPANY
Ex GRIFFIN STRIKE
In late March and April 2016 Fire Support Company deployed to RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall to support the British and French Combined Joint Expedi- tionary Force (CJEF) headquarters. The purpose of this component of Exercise GRIFFIN STRIKE was to con rm the capability of the CJEF, including its Land Component Command which comprises both British 3rd Division staff and soldiers EMF 1, a French army divisional command.
Fire Support Company was drafted in to provide a security force, as well as providing real life support including drivers, catering and managing the tented accommodation. Perhaps not the most glamorous
Coasteering
tasking, but it remained essential to the exercise’s success. Fire Support Company carried it out with a high degree of professionalism, with the GOC, General Patrick - a Ri eman himself - and other of cers thanking the company for a good job well done.
The Regimental Catering Warrant Of cer and his team of chefs provided food of a consistently high standard throughout the exercise despite the constraints of operating from a eld kitchen. Exercising troops were constantly remarking on the quality of the meals - including the French, whose standards are famously exacting!
A day on, day off rotation was established, allowing each guard platoon the opportunity to get off camp and do some Adventurous Training, including a coastal walk, sur ng and coasteering - which basically entails jumping off cliffs into the sea. The AT package was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and the company also had the chance to visit the nearby town of Newquay on days off.
At Endex, GOC 3 Div thanked the company, describing the exercise as an historic moment in Franco-British military cooperation which would not have been possible without the efforts of Fire Support Company.
SUO Joe Wescott (EUOTC)
Shooting
After 2 weeks of training the 3 Ri es team entered the 51X Operational Shooting Competition in Barry Buddon and put in a strong performance as the best Regular unit, but coming second overall in the brigade to a very experienced 32 Sigs team.
This was a very good marker for the battalion having only just re-entered the brigade. Congratula- tions are due to Rfn Bell who was the 5th best shot in the competition.
At the 1 (UK) Division OSC in Catterick there was tough competition from across eight brigades and after three arduous days of shoots, the nal standings saw 3 Ri es ranked 4th overall, only being beaten by 2 Ri es A and B and 2 Bn REME. This was a great result and set the conditions for Bisley.
At the Army Operational Shooting Competition there was stiff competition. The team acquitted themselves admirably, with Rfn Ward being ranked 60th in the Army. While the team did not do quite enough to challenge for overall silverware, the team did well to nish as Runners Up in the Falling Plate competition.
The Sniper Platoon had much success repre- senting the battalion, with Rfn De Klerk winning best shot, Rfn Read achieving 3rd and the 3 Ri es Sniper team nishing as runners up in Ex RHINO SNIPE, the 1 (UK) Division Sniping competition. Cpl Ball was named runner up sniper pair commander, and so he along with Rfn De Klerk quali ed for the Tri-Service Sniper Competition. There they achieved an overall result of 18th place, out of extremely strong eld of Snipers from around the world including Germany, Denmark and France.
Another strong year in what is our core business.
Lt Rhys Evans, OC 5 Pl
THE TEAM ACQUITTED THEMSELVES ADMIRABLY
Rfn Ward shooting in the Bisley 100
78 XXX
THE RIFLES