Page 16 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

Exercise TRIGLAV STAR is an annual training exercise that sees a British Army reserve battalion train alongside US and Slovenian regulars and reserves across a two-week period in the Slovenian Alps. It aims not only to train interoperability between these three armies, but between their regulars and reserves as well. Unfortunately, the US Army were unable to make it, but the Slovenians and British carried on nonetheless.
In October 2019, 3 Platoon A Company joined their reservist colleagues from 8 RIFLES in Bohinjska Bela Barracks in the Julian Alps. The exercise was split into a teaching phase and an exercise phase. The first week was spent with sections doing a round-robin of activities and lessons which would prepare them for the exercise phase. These ranged from basic fieldcraft and section drills to gap-crossing and abseiling. Between all of these lessons, the sections patrolled through the mountainous terrain surrounding the camp, including summiting the 1256m Galetovec peak.
Particular value lay in the two days
spent practicing section battle drills and TTPs alongside the Slovenian regulars and reserves. The three section commanders; Cpls Plenty, Goodwin and Mclaughlin, led this phase with particular gusto - sharing their expertise with their Slovenian counterparts who were keen to learn. Riflemen and JNCOs also gave some impromptu lessons on British
weapon systems and field kit.
After the teaching came the exercise
phase, which took place high in the mountains surrounding the Soriska Planina ski resort. The sections had come together after the first phase and a small reorbat delivered a company of four platoons, two UK platoons and two Slovenian platoons with each nation having one regular and one reservist platoon.
The first three days were spent practicing platoon and company attacks against Slovenian OPFOR, which gave all an oppor- tunity to learn and improve. A highlight of the phase was arguably the hot food brought out by the Slovenians, day two saw warm ham and mushroom pizzas delivered to the harbours.
The fourth day was a final attack along a high ridge line, involving a steep 600m climb up Mozic mountain before clearing the three objectives along the ridge line. On top of the natural scenery of the Julian Alps, the enemy were using old Italian WWI bunkers and the Slovenians provided close air support with fixed wing aircraft. This lent the attack an undeniable X factor.
After the exercise all enjoyed two days off exploring Bled, Ljubljana and some demanding mountain climbing.
Lt C Gregan
OC 3 Platoon
16 RIFLES The Bugle
Rfn Butler tries to develop a new abseiling technique,
LCpl Campbell teaches British Army Fieldcraft to
ends up requiring Slovenian assistance
A highlight of the phase was arguably the hot food brought out by the Slovenians, day two saw warm ham and mushroom pizzas delivered to the harbours
Slovenian Army regulars and reserves
3 Platoon at the top of Sorinska Planina Ski Resort
at the end of the exercise phase
Ex TRIGLAV STAR