Page 123 - Bugle Autumn 2014

7 RIFLES Op HERRICK pre-deployment training
7 RIFLES was heavily involved in the UK response to the flooding in Berkshire and Oxfordshire, Op PITCHPOLE. In many areas the flooding was worse than it has been for 65 years and limited civilian resources were quickly stretched. When military assistance was requested, 7 RIFLES were about to deploy on a training weekend to SPTA but were quickly rerouted. We were the first military unit on task within the 145 Bde area of operations and played a key and central role throughout the efforts.
‘This operation is a great example of the utility of Reservist Riflemen. This was local soldiers helping the
local community. Whilst
doors through the flood water or digging ditches for run-off in people’s gardens, the genuine gratitude of local residents had a great impact on the troops on the ground.’ 2Lt Tom Ogden, Pl Comd.
Unfortunately the poor weather continued, although there was no formal commitment for 7 RIFLES riflemen the following weekend, with the Battalion HQ still in place coordinating the regional efforts, a number of Reservists volunteered to give up their weekend and return to Reading to assist alongside Regular Soldiers. 4 RIFLES were called in to command the Western
7 RIFLES in Afghanistan
Following the return of the cohort
from 4 RIFLES last year, 7 RIFLES
has continued to mobilise Riflemen
in support of our sister Battalions on Op HERRICK, with a further twenty
six Riflemen deploying or returning from operations in 2014. This includes individual augmentation to 2 RIFLES RIP Co-ordination group and to 5 RIFLES as section commanders, section second-in-command and WO2 Shanahan to the Battle Group HQ. Most notably 7 RIFLES are forming the backbone of 6 Pl, B Coy, 2 RIFLES as part of the Kabul Support Unit (KSU) and providing the newly commissioned Capt Joe English as a liaison Officer.
The CO’s self styled ‘Kite-force’ (6Pl, 2RIFLES), commanded by 2Lt Joe Kite and CSjt Gemmell have had a busy time over the last year. Following on from
the 7 RIFLES 2013 pre-deployment programme, there was a long list of volunteers for the deployment. This list was refined prior to the mobilisation course at RTMC and the success of the programme confirmed by the high success rate through the mobilisation. This was followed by OPTAG and LFTT training before the commanders joined 2 RIFLES in Sennelager for CAST in the simulated environment. The cohort then had a few weeks of weapons and SOP training in NI and the UK prior to re-joining 2RIFLES in Caerwent training area for the Mission Rehearsal Ex (MRX). They will deploy at the start of August to Cyprus for the final PDT.
Military Training is
clearly very important,
this homeland resilience
task was an excellent
opportunity to help
those of our Counties who have supported us so loyally over the years.’ Lt Col James Bryant, CO 7 RIFLES
All the Sub-Units converged on Brock Barracks in Reading. A quick re-ORBAT shaped us into a force capable of conducting simultaneous reconnaissance
of flooded locations with the environment agency and also deploying assistance troops to locations at very short-notice. We were called upon to conduct a number of tasks which the environment agency and local authorities deemed to be essential and of immediate importance. Sandbag walls were erected to protect property and a hefty repair to a weir pool which had burst its banks and was about to flood an electricity sub-station, providing power to 40,000 homes were the first two tasks.
‘The news that we would be helping with the flood relief work in the Berkshire area was greeted positively by the Riflemen. Whether carrying people from their front
This operation is a great example of the utility of Reservist Riflemen
sector and also sent some much needed reinforcements to Brock Barracks, including a much needed QM.
With many major tasks now complete or
underway, the Army were being called upon to access the most remote and inaccessible locations. One of these ‘isolated tasks’
was to help individuals from their homes
in Newport, Isle of Wight, and assist in saving their most valued possessions which were at risk due to collapsing cliffs – a task which saw the men of 7 RIFLES being deployed and extracted by CH-47 (Chinook helicopter) from an improvised Helicopter Landing Site (HLS) in Upton Park, Reading.
It is fair to say that these were not the ‘normal’ tasks faced by Reservists, but their flexibility, teamwork and positive mindset ensured that they delivered what was required when it was most needed. This task reinforces both the capability and flexibility of the Reserves and was a welcomed opportunity to get involved and help the local community in their time of need.
Capt Matt Ellis,
Second in command, F Coy.
THE RIFLES
SEVENTH BATTALION 121