Page 54 - The Bugle 2018

AT ONE STAGE, THERE WAS A TEMPERATURE DROP OF 25 DEGREES WITHIN A 24- HOUR PERIOD
an objective and then continue. Their speed and aggression had the potential to unhinge any enemy.
The subsequent phase involved a series of Company Group experimental battle lanes. A variable was changed for each iteration and A Company 1 PPCLI were able to work with different structures, combinations and tactics alongside the HCR Battlegroup. As embedded observers, this proved extremely fruitful – allowing us to observe and share best practice whilst assisting with the integration of A Coy into the HCR Battlegroup.
Ex IRON STRIKE was not without its challenges. Vehicle availability proved to be a serious constraint and necessitated maintenance days every third day, which stifled the momentum somewhat. The weather also played a part. At one stage, there was a temperature drop of 25 degrees within a 24-hour period, and the resulting snow and freezing temperatures were difficult to adapt to. The heated LAV and electric kettle certainly helped keep morale up, although several exercise days were lost due to the weather during the final phase.
Over the 3 weeks spent with the PPCLI, we struck up a great rapport and it was clear that we share a very similar regimental ethos. Once recovered back to Edmonton, we were extremely well looked after by the Canadians. As well as several other enjoyable cultural outings, highlights included being hosted at a family thanksgiving dinner, and watching an ice hockey game that took place in Edmonton’s newly built arena.
Our time in Canada was a resounding success. Not only were we able to learn about the LAV and how we might employ a similar vehicle in the STRIKE role, but we were able to deepen the Regimental relationship between The RIFLES and 1 PPCLI and have a lot of fun whilst doing so.
3 RIFLES’ relationship with the PPCLI has continued into 2018 with Capt Lex Luciak joining us for a two-year posting as a Company 2IC.
Maj Flood
OC FSp Coy 3 RIFLES
educate
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Exercise IRON STRIKE
Between 13th September – 9th October 2017, three members of 3 RIFLES – Maj Flood, Sjt Cassell and Cpl Gilchrist - were embedded with our sister Regiment of 1st Bn of the Princess of Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) for Ex IRON STRIKE 2 in BATUS.
The PPCLI are one of the affiliated sister regiments of The Rifles, and as well as rekin- dling that longstanding relationship, the embed team were tasked with learning about the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) in preparation for 3 RIFLES’ conversion to STRIKE with a similar vehicle. The LAV is a hugely impressive platform. The 400BHP eight wheeled all-terrain AFV is armed with a 25mm canon, and a coaxially mounted GPMG. It has a crew of 3 and can carry up to 8 dismounts. We would live and operate from the vehicle throughout the exercise.
Ex IRON STRIKE was a three-week combined arms battlegroup (BG) exercise in BATUS, where the Household Cavalry BG (HCR) were to conduct experimentation for STRIKE in concert with Canadian allies.
The first day of the exercise consisted of an eight hour, 500km vehicle march in the LAV, during which the three of us were placed in separate LAVs in the gunner’s seat within the open turret. Despite losing the ability to speak due to the freezing wind numbing our faces, the march was a success and demonstrated the potential capability STRIKE could offer the British Army in the future. Thank- fully, for the remainder of the exercise, we were placed in the back of the LAV’s with the remaining Canadian dismounts.
Ex IRON STRIKE was split into several phases, culminating in a final exercise which would test the evolving STRIKE tactics in a BG context. During the first phase, A Company 1 PPCLI were grateful for the opportunity to complete some self-con- tained company level training which was largely focused on operating in the urban environment. Our first insight into LAV tactics was enlightening; the Canadians employ the capability in a similar way to British Armoured Infantry and can concen- trate force and firepower, rapidly move through
A HANDY EDUCATIONAL GUIDE FOR SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES
Educate includes information from nursery and pre-school to university and educational holidays; available to you in print and online.
To receive copies or a link to an online version contact:
jodie@crestpublications.com / 01536 317000
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2019
subject to discuss with your
Although your child might have little interest in social media, online gaming
can lead to talking to strangers online. If possible, disconnect your child’s games console from the internet so that they cannot play with people they do not know.
children, but online safety is essential in this technology driven era. When discussing online safety, you should aim to inform your children rather than scare them with stories we hear in the press. A good place to start
is to ask them which social networks they use/would like to use and if they know how to make their profiles private. It is important to ensure that your child’s social profiles are private so that strangers cannot see pictures of them or what they post about. Most social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Tumblr have an age restriction in place so your child must be at least 13 to join.
A lot of information is requested on sites such as Facebook and they ask for details such as your hometown, school, mobile number, Birthday, nicknames and films/tv series that you want to watch. Filling out this information is not essential so try to discourage your children from filling this out as it makes it easier for someone to create a fake account with, what seems like, the same things in common.
You should also make certain that your child is not friends with people that they do
While it may seem tempting to ban your child from social media completely, it is not a viable option as your child may be pressured into creating a profile when with friends etc. It is better to have an open discussion with your children about social media as they
are more likely to come to you with any problems they incur online than if they know they will get in trouble for having a profile
as they are more likely to keep problems to themselves. You should also discuss with your children how to block people or report pictures/comments that people post if they feel they are harmful. This should make them feel more comfortable and that they do not need to see things that are upsetting to them.
Web safe? discussing online safety with your child
It may seem a daunting
not know on social media. Even if they have a friend that is talking to someone online, this does not mean that they are your child’s friend and should be avoided.
For more advice on discussing online safety, information can be found at www. nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping- children-safe/online-safety/
Beth Cowan
PREPARATORY & PRIMARY
60 THIRD BATTALION
THE RIFLES