Page 15 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

2RIFLES
Ex CAMBRIAN PATROL
After a relaxing and thoroughly well-earned summer leave, 30 volunteers from B and C companies mustered in the training wing. They were about to embark on a five-week training package that would culminate with the world-renowned Cambrian Patrol – a gruelling 48-hour slog across the pictur- esque scenery of Wales’ Black Mountains.
Asking for volunteers meant that all Riflemen involved were motivated, driven, and fighting for a spot on the team, this was evident throughout all stages of the build-up period. Training involved weeks dedicated to building a foundation of fitness, navigation,
military skills and then testing all of this on
a Mission Rehearsal Exercise. Our Regiment takes pride in having “thinking Riflemen” and this was no different; all members of the team voiced their opinions about where weak- nesses lay so that training could be focussed and more effective. As well as this, each Rifleman was given an area of responsibility and ensured they were subject matter experts to enhance the teams’ training.
This year marked the 60th anniversary of the patrol which was originally a Territorial Army competition to test navigation and fitness. Although the content of the patrol has
changed over the years it remains, fundamen- tally, a competition to test grit and resolve. The Patrol set off in the early hours of the morning for an exhausting 48 hours filled with testing weather, challenging terrain, and complex serials.
At the prize giving, both teams knew they had performed well but were unsure exactly how well they had done. They were thrilled when the results were announced, and it tran- spired that B Coy had earned a gold medal, and C Coy a silver medal – the best result for the Battalion in recent memory!
Asking for volunteers meant that all Riflemen involved were motivated, driven, and fighting for a spot
B Coy Gold Medal Winners
on Ex Cambrian Patrol
RIFLES The Bugle 15
MISSION REHEARSAL EXERCISE OP TORAL 10
In February 2020 2 RIFLES, and elements of 4SCOTS, deployed to sunny Caerwent to conduct their mission rehearsal exercise prior to deploying on Op TORAL 10 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Split into two separate phases, all sub-units (five in total) in the battlegroup were put through their paces to ensure the 2 RIFLES battlegroup was fully prepared to deploy.
The MRX began with training delivered by the instructors at MTMC to ensure the battle- group was up-to-date on the latest standard operating procedures being used in theatre. The training focus was on low level tactics that vehicle and task-line commanders would need to guard against the main
threats whilst driving around Kabul City; primarily magnetic IEDs, road-side IEDs, and crowd dynamics. The battlegroup dived head-first into the exercise which focused on the main outputs of the Kabul Protection Unit: advisor force protection, base defence, and wider city QRF (Quick Reaction Force). All movements were coordinated by the Combined Joint Operations Centre, the Ops room for the entirety of Kabul City.
The battlegroup performed exquisitely, growing in confidence as the week progressed and reacting ever quicker to a host of scenarios including IEDs on coalition convoys, downed aircrafts, and complex attacks involving the use of vehicle suicide
bombers and dismounted fighters. The exercise was a success, preparing 2 RIFLES well for the deployment.
Capt F D’Suza
Op TORAL MRX Rfn perform
Guardian Anglian Duties