Page 17 - The Bugle 2018

S Coy
S Coy has enjoyed a fast-paced 2017-18. This year has brought highs and significant challenges as we re-learn our traditional skills following the Op SHADER imposed lull, brush-up on our close- combat tactics and continually task organise to support a very active Rifle Company exercise programme – let alone the support tasks (SSET) and Regimental ones. Special congratulations go to Capts Leccia and Dishman for leading their teams (Capt Dishman heading a team of Uzbeks) to success in the Cambrian Patrol, to the 50% of the Company who made sure the exercise ran smoothly and to the Company boxing team who crushed all opposition.
We were pleased to be a key-stone for the Battalion’s success in Kenya and took every opportunity to enjoy an amazing country – many of the Company made their way down to the coast or completed AT packages. A demanding training package of self-generated exercises that included an excellent live enemy and CCA practice with an AAC Apache served to show us the importance of constantly training at basic drills and developing the fitness, navigation and medical skills of every Rifleman.
Since our return we have supported the H Jones competition, deployed personnel to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Australia, the Falkland Islands, Romania, Serbia and cross- trained with our gunner cousins in Dragon Battery (with exercises in Georgia and against the Strike Experimentation Group still to follow). This is not to mention the significant number of Bugles tasks performed by our champion Bugle Platoon, whose Christmas performance will be remembered for some time.
Sadly, we have said goodbye to Maj Ed Richardson - off to 77 Bde via ICSC, A/WO2 Zwijnen to promotion and 4 RIFLES (where he will still not reach the top 5 best looking) and WO2 “Gonzo” Squires who after an illustrious career leaves the regular Army for an FTRS post. We wish them all luck.
A/Maj Tom Francis OC S Coy
THIS YEAR HAS BROUGHT HIGHS AND SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES AS WE RE-LEARN OUR TRADITIONAL SKILLS
Ain’t no river wide enough... for OC Recce and his Blue Steel look
Two snipers as part of a pl co-ordinated shoot. Sniper Pl became the terror of the enemy on Ex ASKARI STORM
An anti-tank rifleman from the ISTAR group conducts a hasty belly hide in Archer’s Post
THE RIFLES
FIRST BATTALION 23
MG Pl testing section level fires in preparation for VJTF readiness