Page 96 - The Bugle Autumn 2016 Issue 12

Ex NORDIC FROSTED BLADE
The 4 RIFLES Nordic Team had a fantastic season this year. With little preparation and deploying straight off the back of Ex WESSEX STORM, the team succeeded in winning the inaugural Infantry Champion- ships in Bessans, France. Further success then followed at the Army Semi- nals with 4 RIFLES placed 8/35 teams overall qualifying for the Army Finals, Ex RUCKSACK, for the rst time. No RIFLES team had ever achieved this since the Regiment’s formation and both 1 and 4 RIFLES quali ed this year. Despite the high calibre of competition, 4 RIFLES’ Lt Josh Miers stood out in the Senior Novice category winning the category overall; a huge achievement. Finally the team proved themselves as true Ri emen during the Military Patrol Race winning the ‘Best Shots’ overall. A great set of results for a team with only two years of experience, which sets the team up well for the 2016-17 season.
Capt Steve Sharpe, Nordic Ski Team Captain
Ex ARCTIC BUGLE
From 3rd-15th July 2016, 18 Ri emen from across the Battalion deployed to eastern Greenland on Ex ARCTIC BUGLE, a two-week Summer Mountain- eering expedition. The expedition aim was to circumnavigate the mountainous island of Ammassalik whilst also allowing the Ri emen to achieve their Summer Mountain Foundation quali cation. Two plane journeys and a very small boat saw us to the tiny settlement of Tasiilaq which would be the start and nish point of the expedition. It was quickly apparent that the expedition was to be a considerable challenge; scree and boulder elds, glaciers, steep slopes and deep, very cold rivers all hindered progress, whilst thousands of mosquitoes stood ready to bite any exposed esh. However, these discomforts were more than compensated for by spectacular scenery, perfect weather and a unique cultural experience. The biggest highlight for many was Sermilik Fjord, lled with huge icebergs that regularly disintegrate as they move slowly out to sea. The Ri emen were somewhat bemused to nd themselves with a Ri e on ‘Polar Bear Stag’ during rest periods, and the 24-hour sunlight proved to be an unusual experience. The team stopped in Iceland on the return journey for two days for some well-earned R+R, experiencing the natural water-spout at Geysir and spending a morning in the re-invigorating waters of the Blue Lagoon. Ex ARCTIC BUGLE proved to be a real once-in-a-lifetime oppor- tunity to visit an amazing part of the world and will doubtless be remembered for years to come by all involved.
Capt Charlie Barrett, Expedition Leader
Welfare Of ce
2016 has seen Ri emen and their families establish and integrate within Aldershot Garrison and the local community. This has been a huge success and many, if not all, have found the transition positive and bene cial. Our children are enjoying the vast number of activities, clubs and trips routinely provided within such a well-established military location. For many, the abundant employment opportunities not readily available in our previous location are being utilised extremely well.
Given the recent media reporting on Carillion Amey’s performance within our South East area it is no surprise that the Welfare Of ce has been kept busy. In most cases a typically British cold, damp, winter and spring have not helped matters. The Welfare Of ce has been occupied in mediation between our families and the housing providers to ensure the swiftest resolution is provided where possible. This is an on-going process and will continue until their improvement plans are well established. Fortunately there is now some respite from the boiler and damp issues as the summer and warmer weather approaches!
PRICELESS
stocks and petting everything from baby goats and sheep to tortoise. The look of horror on the petting zoo staff’s faces when one of our children tried to free a guinea pig was priceless and shall remain in our memories forever. We look forward to a families BBQ on 16 Jul 16 coinciding with the Farnborough Air Show, an ideal opportunity to come together and enjoy the sights and sounds whilst relaxing in the sun.
The outlook for the rest of the year continues to be busy, as the families make the most of Aldershot and its close proximity to London. With summer almost upon us, the Garrison and AWS have a huge amount of club activities, adventure breaks and local trips planned to ensure we continue to feel fully embraced by the local community. Thorpe Park, London Eye, Hamleys, Sea World and Madame Tussauds are now routine visits for all of us. This time last year we were beginning to conduct the unit move, but if you were to look at us now, you would think we had been here signi cantly longer.
Capt Steve Dickson, Unit Welfare Of cer
THE LOOK OF
HORROR ON
THE PETTING
ZOO STAFF’S
FACES WHEN
ONE OF OUR
CHILDREN
TRIED TO
FREE A
GUINEA
PIG WAS
We maintain an activities routine for families and have continued to organise a variety of local events. So far this year we have conducted coffee mornings, bingo and karaoke evenings, a Battalion Church service, an Easter egg hunt around the Aldershot Military Museum and various Army Welfare Service trips to London and other attractions. On 3 Jun 16, 4 RIFLES held a families day which was fully supported and enjoyed by all. The children were on school holidays and enjoyed paintballing, bungee running, bouncing, sack racing, tug of war, assault course, air hockey, re engine rides, sitting in a police car, bugling, smacking rats, soaking in the
94 FOURTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES