Page 60 - The Bugle 2018

Exercise NORTHERN SKIRMISH
THE RECCE PLATOON SPENT TWO NIGHTS IN HIDES OBSERVING THE FARM PRIOR TO EACH ATTACK
Exercise NORTHERN SKIRMISH was the second in Ops Officer Alex Perry’s Skirmish series of exercises following Exercise SOUTHERN SKIRMISH earlier in the year. This time 3 RIFLES deployed to Dumfries and Galloway rather than Brecon yet somehow, against all odds the weather was once again unsea- sonably warm.
The aim of the exercise was to test the new Mastiff mounted rifle companies in the close wooded terrain of Galloway forest as part of continuing preparation for Ex WESSEX STORM. In addition, the ISTAR platoons got their first run out. The ISTAR platoon concept combines a section from the Javelin Platoon, the Guns Platoon and the Snipers Platoon to give company commanders the flexibility to operate at reach independently as part of the Strike concept. With 3 RIFLES now in 1 STRIKE Brigade the rifle companies need to be able to operate
away from the wider battalion these ISTAR platoons provide that organic capabilities.
The exercise began with A Company taking over the fleet at Catterick Garrison and conducting a tactical march across the country through the night to Galloway Forest. This is no mean feat for relatively inexperienced drivers but was an excellent rehearsal for our STRIKE role of being able to travel long distances independently by road in order to quickly have an effect on the enemy.
Once in Galloway the companies conducted a series of platoon level battle exercises that included anti ambush drills and fighting in woods and forests. The tight terrain of the forest made manoeuvre challenging, the logging tracks just wide enough to support the Mastiffs. This proved a significant test for platoons but was excellent training both mounted and dismounted.
The exercise culminated with a series of company attacks onto a barn complex in an isolated valley. The recce platoon spent two nights in hides observing the farm prior to each attack. They then delivered a back brief to each OC giving him an idea of exactly what the company was up against and the terrain around the objective before then leading the companies into their forming up point. Of particular note was OC A Company Major Moorehouse’s plan to infiltrate his company down a steep re-en- trant. The unorthodox route in allowed his company complete surprise and threw the enemy on the back foot from the off.
Ex NORTHERN SKIRMISH was a great oppor- tunity for the battalion to test its mounted capability in the close terrain of Galloway Forest. The exercise marked a milestone on our Strike journey and set us up for success on Ex WESSEX STORM.
Lt Tom Brash
OC Recce Platoon
A JNCO briefs his plan during Ex NORTHERN SKIRMISH
Football
It has been another successful season for the 3-2 in extra time at the final. Following this success,
THE EXPERIENCE OF PLAYING AT ST GEORGE’S PARK WAS SOMETHING THE WHOLE TEAM WILL REMEMBER
Battalion football team who cemented their reputation in Army football circles, building on the success of last year’s squad. The season began with an overseas tour to Malta in October. The team played a number of games against local teams and returned to Edinburgh enthused and excited about the season to come.
The season started with the Infantry cup where unfortunately the battalion team were knocked out in the early qualifying rounds. This did not bode well but did allow the team to focus on their Army Cup campaign. Beating a number of excellent teams they made it to the semi-final for the third year in a row and were pitted against one of the favourites, 3 Royal School of Military Engineering (3 RSME). The first half was tense and both sides worked hard but in the second half their 5 Army players took control and we were eventually convincingly beaten 4-1.
Soon after this the Battalion team won the Tri-Service Scottish football league beating 5RHA
3 RIFLES progressed to the final of the Army Champions’ Cup. Our competitors in the final were 3 RSME, our rival from earlier in the year. Once again this began as a closely fought game but 3 RSME’s overwhelming depth of talent and experience showed in the end and we lost 5-1. While the final wasn’t quite the result we would have liked the experience of playing at St George’s Park was something the whole team will remember and there was no shame in losing to such a high quality team.
So once again a frustrating but also successful season. The chairman of the Army Football Associ- ation remarked on our exceptionally consistent and strong performance year on year of which we are particularly proud. We are now preparing for the next season which will commence with a tour of our recruiting areas in Northern England.
Capt Paul Kelly OIC Football
66 THIRD BATTALION THE RIFLES