Page 40 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Battalion Headquarters:
CO: Lt Col M C Gidlow-Jackson MBE Battalion 2ic: Maj T N R Jackson Adjutant: Capt J E McCarthy/Capt R J O Sawers
RSM: WO1 C P Watson
Operations Officer: Capt M C Shawyer RCMO: Capt S F Eamer
RSO: Capt R T A Kendall
A Company
OC: Maj C R S Hellier
2IC: Capt N M Dawnay
OC 1 Platoon: Lt N H D Waters
OC 2 Platoon: 2Lt H J Wooton
OC 3 Platoon: Lt H F MacL Hemsley CSM: WO2 D R Marriot
B Company
OC: Maj M Shercliff
2IC: Capt A Corder
OC 5 Platoon: Lt N H D Waters OC 6 Platoon: 2Lt M G Prince OC 7 Platoon: Lt K J Ara
CSM: WO2 A R Webb
C Company
OC: Maj J N Osborne
2IC: Capt R Jones
OC 9 Platoon: Lt N T J Cartwright OC 10 Platoon: Lt F E E C Vergos OC 11 Platoon: Lt A E Carrow CSM: WO2 A Chaytor
I Company
OC: Maj A J G Ficke
OC Mortar Platoon: Capt J B Warburton OC Reconnaissance Platoon: Capt L C E Jones
OC FSG A : CSjt J Greenwood
OC FSG B: Capt O C S Little
CSM: WO2 M Jordan
HQ Company
OC: Maj M A Owen
QM: Maj A F Frame
RQMS: WO2 J Pepper
QM(T): Capt V P Mears
RQMS(T): WO2 M N Flood
Motor Transport Officer: Capt S A Burgess Unit Welfare Officer: Capt S J Tisbury CSM: WO2 A Rennie
Foreword
This year has proved to be exceptionally busy for the Battalion, with OTXs across the globe, preparations for and deployment on two separate operational deployments to Afghanistan and the move of the Battalion from Ballykinler to Lisburn. It has certainly tested all members of the Battalion both professionally and personally, but it has proved rewarding and yet another example of just how much our Riflemen and their families can achieve.
exercises with both companies relishing the opportunity to conduct well-resourced and demanding training. All of this set the Battalion up for the start of its pre- deployment training.
A Coy deployed as the RiP Coordination Group to Bastion for 3 months from Apr
to Jun 14. The Coy not only provided essential training to troops as they arrived in Camp Bastion, but also managed to exploit
the training facilities
that were available. Aside from a punishing fitness programme they invested heavily in close quarter marksmanship and education. It was impressive to see A Coy grab every opportunity
presented turning what could have been a mundane and routine task into a fulfilling 3 months. Meanwhile Bn HQ, B and C Coys, and elements of I and HQ Coys have been through their own MST for deployment to Kabul as the Kabul Support Unit in Aug 14. It will be a very different experience to previous Op HERRICK deployments, but a fascinating time to be in Kabul and see the close of Op HERRICK.
SECOND
BATTALION
The Battalion has
enjoyed some fantastic
training opportunities
including exercising in
Oman, Africa, Canada,
Cyprus and Germany.
Canada was notable
as we re-roled, albeit
temporarily, to armoured vehicles. This was a new and challenging experience for most, the change in tempo and complexity of sustaining armour providing an insight into a vastly different nature of operating to that which a light role Battalion is normally exposed. Unsurprisingly, the riflemen rose to the challenge and thrived in the BATUS environment. A Coy in Kenya and B Coy
in Germany enjoyed similar excellent
It was impressive to see A Coy grab every opportunity presented
38 SECOND BATTALION
THE RIFLES