Page 72 - The Bugle 2018

The MTT delivers first aid training
THE TEAM’S DEPLOYMENT WAS A WHOLLY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
Since early 2015 when Saudi Arabia led a ground intervention in to Yemen, the Saudi-Yemeni border, at the southern edge of the regions of Nairan, Jizan and Asir, has become increasingly hostile. Over the course of the conflict Houthi rebels have captured and destroyed many Saudi Border Guard bases and outputs. Operation CROSSWAYS, the operational name the 4 RIFLES team deployed under, exists to better prepare Saudi forces to defend their southern border against aggressive insurgent activity.
B Coy was responsible for leading a Mobile Training Team, supported by personnel from 2 RIFLES and 1 Medical Regiment, deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for four weeks during spring 2018. Tasked to develop and empower the Royal Saudi Land Forces Border Guard, particularly those providing security on KSA’s southern border with Yemen, the 8-man team delivered a bespoke training package to 20 Saudi soldiers at a training camp in the Albersha district of Riyadh.
conducted four days of training area reconnais- sance and lesson preparation, before delivering a 15-day infantry skills battle course. The course was split in to three main categories; first aid, C-IED and basic infantry skills and it culminated with two days of blank battle exercises and static live firing.
The team’s deployment was a wholly positive experience. The engagement shown by the training audience, and their level of progression during the package, was excellent. The team were hosted exceptionally well throughout their deployment to KSA and were fortunate enough to experience what Riyadh had to offer aside from military training, with trips to British Embassy, Marmak Fort and Deera Square. The team returned to the UK having set the conditions for future Specialised Infantry involvement with Operation CROSSWAYS and are looking forward to seeing the growing support offered to the Saudi Border Guard.
Operation CROSSWAYS
Captain Josh Miers
On deployment to KSA the training team Second in Command, B Coy
THE CAMEL TROOP OPERATE IN THE MOST REMOTE PARTS OF THE DESERT
Tunisian Desert Survival Course
In September 17 Cpl White deployed to Tunisia to take part in the Tunisian Air Force Desert Survival Course to assess the potential benefit for future participation in the course for larger groups, and to build on the 4 Bde Defence Engagement under- standing within the area. Cpl White was selected as a fluent French speaker, which was essential as much of the course was conducted in French. The 5 day course was attended by partners from the Tunisian Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Force and Belgian Parachute-Commandos. The highlight was being trained by the El Mahary (Camel Troop) from the 3rd Saharan Bde. The camel troop operate in
6 to 10 man teams who can operate in the most remote parts of the desert, in areas not passable by vehicles. They operate independently and are totally self-sufficient carrying what they need to survive for up to 15 days and cover distances up to 100-150 km. They are a reconnaissance/early warning group with the ability to call for air assets using HF radio. They are clearly SME’s in this harsh environment and have a great deal of experience operating in the desert of Tunisia. While focussed more at ‘downed aircrew’ the course was still enjoyable and inform- ative.
Cpl White, Team 8 Find Instructor
78 FOURTH BATTALION THE RIFLES