Page 42 - Bugle Autumn 2014
P. 42
A Company overview
Rifleman Preparing for the task in Afghanistan
This year has been another busy year for A Company. It has seen the preparation for deployment on Op HERRICK 20, a highly successful tour of Afghanistan as the Relief in Place Coordination Group (RCG) running Reception, Staging and Onward Integration (RSOI) for the changeover of brigades in theatre as well as large amounts of extra- curricular activities. All in all it was a highly successful deployment and the riflemen garnered much praise from members of
all three services. The junior riflemen were outstanding in both the quality of training they delivered and their character, making the most of the training
five members of the
company were part
of the battalion’s two
teams for Cambrian Patrol, an arduous patrolling exercise in Wales. In November the battalion ran a Skill at Arms meet in which the company did very well most notably Rfn Mowry being awarded (jointly) the trophy for the best shot.
The lashing, moisture laden Irish wind that heralded the beginning of our Pre Deployment Training [PDT] made the impending deployment to the Afghan summer seem more remote than ever. Fast
challenges far removed from the realities of previous tours and the
perception of deployment in Afghanistan for Infantry units. We were to coordinate the arrival and training of troops new into theatre, running ranges and ensuring all troops are of the standard required for deployment.
In country with the ranges recced and
the different welfare facilities rated and reviewed, the advance party waited for the arrival of the main body. Once A Company was complete in Camp Bastion, it took a little while for everyone to settle in. From
the ‘go live’ date, the three platoons rotated through the different tasks that the company were responsible for.
Whilst riflemen were pasting their Platoon Commanders with Simmunition (think advanced paintballing), the Company’s first aid and CASEVAC procedures were tested as the first casualty of the deployment turned out to be CO 2 RIFLES, Lt Col Gidlow-Jackson. The CO’s visit en route
to Kabul for the Battalion recce was temporarily derailed by a navigationally embarrassed ladybird that crawled into his
opportunities they had in Bastion and maintaining focus and drive throughout.
The junior riflemen were outstanding in both the quality of training they delivered and their character
forward four months and the Company would be found hunting for shade amongst
the Hesco of Camp Bastion, much like the camel spiders we had been told so much about. Deployment on Op HERRICK 20 for A
The autumn was
a busy period, with
members of the
company spread to
the winds on different
courses and commitments. Alongside the usual career courses, three members of the company completed the Jungle Warfare Instructors Course in Brunei and
Coy, 2 RIFLES would be a novel experience after the war fighting of Op HERRICK 10 and the ground holding role of Op HERRICK 15. Op HERRICK 20 would bring new
40 SECOND BATTALION
THE RIFLES
there have been a large number of new faces and some sad farewells


































































































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