Page 19 - Bugle Autumn 2024

3 RIFLES
A RIFLEMAN’S PERSPECTIVE
F Coy deployed on Ex HARAKA SPEAR (Ex HS) from February to March. The exercise was an excellent opportunity to test our new role in Security Force Assistance (SFA), which included a transition from a Fire Support Company with over 100 soldiers to a much smaller ORBAT.
After an extensive acclimatisation package, the exercise was split into two phases. The first was Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT) which saw the Coy conduct up to platoon size ranges and ended in a Coy level CALFEX. We then moved onto the dry phase which ended with a four-day FTX and was the highlight of Ex HS.
Day 1 - We received company orders and by the evening Machine Gun Platoon was ready to move. During the day there were endless amounts of decoy TCV and logistical road moves which played a vital part of the deception plan, which allowed us to get close enough with our gun line without alerting the enemy. We hastily occupied our gunline and provided fire support to allow B Company to
was extremely difficult given the terrain and the weight everyone was carrying. It was
a gruelling insertion, but we reached our specified location before H-Hour. On H-Hour we effectively suppressed every known enemy position which had been accurately passed to us via Recce Platoon. Once our gunline became redundant we made our way down from ‘Dragons Back’ to link up with the remains of B Coy and help with their clearance of the village.
Rfn Mottau, Machine Gun Platoon, F Company
It was a gruelling insertion, but we reached
our specified location before H-Hour
conduct their assault on the village below. Day 2 - We established a defensive position
on the tallest feature in the AO, so we could provide overwatch for the Battlegroup. We built stag positions overlooking likely enemy avenues of approach.
Day 3 –MG Pl received orders for a nighttime raid. We were to provide fire support to allow B Company to conduct the raid. We set off around midday, just as Kenya’s heat is peaking, but leaving early meant we could get to our FUP before the hours of darkness and effectively mark and record enemy positions.
Day 4 – The final day saw the platoon preparing for the final attack. We received our orders, and our destination was situated on the top of ‘Dragon’s Back.’ The route in
RIFLES The Bugle 19