Page 75 - The Bugle 2018

The Cambrian Patrol (CP) is regarded as one of the most arduous and challenging patrol compe- titions in the world. It is a gruelling 80km march across both the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons with each team expected to complete a variety of military tasks focused on a long-range dismounted reconnaissance patrol. The patrol is a test of robustness, stamina, teamwork and tactical ability, thus requiring a considerable amount of preparation and training to achieve success. The CO’s direction was clear: “Bring back a gold medal!”.
Our training began 10 weeks prior to CP17 when a number of volunteers came together over a 4-day period to form the backbone of the patrol team. The training placed an emphasis on operating in small teams using jungle tactics. The focus on ‘brilliance in the basics’ allowed us to cover CTRs; CPERS; section attacks; AFV recog- nition; CBRN drills; river crossings and many, many long tabs through the Brecon Beacons to get ‘miles under our legs’. The most valuable week of training was arguably the Sennybridge Exercise (Ex SWIFT PATROL). Typically, the Welsh weather was astronomically poor, with biting winds and freezing temperatures which served as fantastic preparation for CP17, and a perfect platform from which to build success.
The patrol itself was a gruelling 80km from start to finish. After starting off with a good perfor- mance on the CBRN stand, the team encountered a mental and physical wall as we reached the highest climb of our route. Progress to the summit was accompanied by increasingly heavy rain and unforgiving hurricane speed winds. This weather continued to hinder our progress; only 5kms were covered in a 5-hour period. However, tired, wet and incredibly frustrated with our delays, we eventually successfully completed our CTR
and made it across the infamous river crossing. Completing this phase was a true testament to the team’s persistent determination and morale.
The second half of the patrol was on Sennybridge Training Area. The team had rehearsed effectively and it was clear we were well prepared for all of the stands. One by one we successfully moved between tactical activities and we knew that we were still in with a chance of getting a good result; we were one of the few teams still to have all of its members on the ground. The section attack serial was short but incredibly physically demanding, requiring all of our final energy reserves. Finally, heavy eyed Riflemen with shattered bodies filled a heated room to complete our commander’s back brief to the highest standard. All 8 members had successfully completed the patrol, achieving what many other teams did not. It then became a waiting game for the winning outcome.
Major General Nanson, who was presenting the final awards, encapsulated the arduous nature of the patrol by describing the weather during his opening speech as ‘the worst he’d seen’. Each team was summoned to receive their awards one by one. To everyone’s delight (and relief), The 4 RIFLES team were awarded a coveted gold medal; the only gold given out during our phase of the patrol competition. This was a true testament to the team’s hard work, dedication to each other and the task, ultimately meaning that we achieved above and beyond what was expected.
Lt Tom Lane
Team 7 Commander
THE CO’S DIRECTION WAS CLEAR: “BRING BACK A GOLD MEDAL!”
Lt Lane and the Cambrian Patrol team delivering the CO’s intent
THE RIFLES
FOURTH BATTALION 81