Page 60 - Bugle Autumn 2014

FIRIC
On the 23rd August 2013 A Coy, 3 RIFLES began a three month deployment as
the Falkland Islands Roulement Infantry Company (FIRIC). The deployment
would see the platoons conduct section level patrols across both East and West Falklands, providing the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) for British Forces South Atlantic Islands and conducting Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT), from individual fire and movement up to Company night attacks.
Within days of setting foot on East Falkland, A Company was into its rotation of patrols, QRF and live firing at Onion Range camp. Section strength patrols
were conducted to identify potential beach landing sites, perform defensibility studies of radar stations and reassure the local population, occasionally receiving a warm barn and a home cooked meal as a reward.
One of the real highlights of the Falklands was the opportunity to conduct LFTT;
long but enjoyable weeks were spent at Onion range camp conducting progressive training in preparation for the Company’s final exercise. The final
The Falklands was not all work and no play. The Company found time to conduct battlefield tours, play a competitive game of rugby, mountain bike, visit penguins and win Ex CONDOR YOMP, a 67 mile speed march
from Port San Carlos
to Stanley, breaking the old record by two and a half hours.
Overall, it was a successful three months in the
Falklands. It was a great opportunity to
train as a company, operate in a tri-service environment and provide unforgettable experiences for the riflemen. Some even say that A Coy were “the best RIC ever.”
Lt AR Jenkinson
OC 1Pl A Coy
exercise culminated
with an air insertion off
HMS Clyde, positioned
in Falkland Sound,
followed by an insertion
march into a Company
patrol base for battle prep, throughout supported by the Resident Rapier Battery who augmented the Company Air Defence and Surveillance and Target Acquisition plans. The final attack incorporated three manoeuvre platoons supported by a gun group, mortars and close air support from the Typhoon Squadron.
long but enjoyable weeks were spent at Onion range camp
The Brownson Trophy
The Brownson Trophy was held in November 2013 in the Galloway Forest and Kirkcudbright Ranges. The competition is in memory
of Corporal Lee Brownson CGC who was killed in action on Op HERRICK 11 and this year took the form of a three day inter-platoon patrols competition. The format was to have the platoons from each company setting off a day apart and completing a two day patrol across the hills of the Galloway Forest training area, carrying out typical infantry tasks at a series of stands, before a day on Kirkcudbright ranges to finish the exercise.
platoon attack and an encounter with hostile civilians to deal with before the end of day two.
The third day was a highlight for many as the competition relocated to Kirkcudbright ranges (though leaving the Galloway hills behind may have been all that was needed to improve the teams’ spirits) for a day of shooting and some surprise physical tests. The ranges varied from CQB with the Glock pistol, a section in defence and live mortar fire control that was a highlight for many of the junior
commanders. These ranges were interspersed with a classic cross country 2-miler and an unarmed combat serial that had the platoons being judged on their aggression at the end of three days challenging competition.
The event was an exhausting challenge for all involved, but one that is remember fondly
by all the Riflemen who managed to complete the three days of competition. When the points from all of the stands were collated, the winners of the new Baker Rifle replica trophy were Recce Platoon, with 1 Platoon in second place and 7 Platoon third. The competition was well designed to test the resolve and cohesion
of the platoons and there is no doubt that the next iteration of the competition will be just as fiercely contested.
B Company set off first with typical weather
for the time of year and the west coast of
Scotland. The first day took the platoons up
into the Galloway hills, fully laden with each
man carrying over 20kg of marching order.
There were section navigation stands from
the summit and a stalk and fieldcraft test organised by the Recce Platoon. C Company were a day behind and the second day involved a further march to ‘the river crossing’ stand, thankfully cancelled after WO2 Lucke tested the waters himself and decided he was not that keen on having to take part in any rescues in the freezing conditions. Once the water feature had been crossed through a much drier bridge crossing serial, the platoons still had a
The event was an exhausting challenge for all involved
58 THIRD BATTALION
THE RIFLES