5 RIFLES LAD
Operation CABRIT 7 From motor shows and cadres through to working with Allied Forces, working as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence isn’t all mud and snow. Scribe: Lt V Naker - EMELt 5 RIFLES LAD is nearing the end of their deployment on Operation CABRIT 7 as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Estonia. The BG LAD led by 5 RIFLES also comprises of elements from the Fitter Sects of D Sqn (QRH), 5 AES (22 Engr Regt), Chestnut Tp (1 RHA), 5 Armd Coy (3 Bn REME), 3 Regt RLC and 27 Regt RLC. A deployment under the context of COVID-19 has presented new challenges to overcome but, as expected, the tradesmen’s output and morale has remained high. The LAD is responsible for maintaining c.470 items of equipment, both armoured and wheeled, including bespoke platforms providing niche capabilities. All personnel are also permanently held at either six hours or 12 hours NTM. The workload has been demanding, testing individuals in conditions foreign to what they are usually accustomed to. Despite this, they have found time to exploit some of the excellent extracurricular opportunities available in Estonia. These have included;
skiing, ice-driving, motor shows and battlefield studies. The BG did a brilliant job to ensure that Christmas felt as festive as it would do back home; consistent snow on the ground went a long way to helping! Decorations, Christmas trees and ‘gunfire’ on the day are just some of the ways in which we were able to embrace the Christmas spirit. A massive thank you goes to those organising Operation CHRISTMAS BOX which gave each member of the BG something to open on Christmas Day. Finally, the biggest thanks are reserved for the friends and family back home. The support received during these testing times has not gone unnoticed and we are all looking forward to some well-deserved time off together in April. But for now, here’s what we’ve been up to so far…
HOTO Scribe: LCpl Thomas, VM 2, HQ Coy Ftr Sect Op CABRIT 7 started for much of the LAD at the end of August, with a two-week isolation period at either The Defence Academy in Shrivenham, AKA ‘The Hilton’, or the far less glamorous settings of Swynnerton and Capel Curig. Following the usual ‘on the bus, off the bus’ exploits at South Cerney and Brize Norton, we arrived in Estonia at the start of September. We immediately rolled into a HOTO with the previous LAD, exchanging a full BG’s worth of equipment within a small window. Usual challenges were faced due to a short turnaround; nevertheless, we soon gave a socially distanced wave goodbye to our comrades and wished them a safe trip back. With the HOTO now complete, there was limited time to prepare vehicles for the upcoming exercise phase – so we cracked on. A validation ALERTEX was soon called by 1st Estonian Bde to judge how quickly the BG can react to an imminent threat. As expected, the ALERTEX was called in the early hours of the morning. Everyone quickly rubbed the sleep from their eyes and made best speed towards, firstly, the armoury and then to the vehicle sheds. Watching and listening to the noise generated as an entire armoured BG’s worth of equipment formed up within their Combat Teams was truly impressive. The number of vehicles that made it to the FUP was a real testament to efforts of the various REME attachments. Once all were present and accounted for, we rumbled out the gate, deploying onto the Central Training Area (CTA) and into Op FURIOUS BUGLE…
Op FURIOUS BUGLE – Interoperability Training with Danish and Estonian Forces Scribe: Cfn Gurung, VM 2, 5 AES Ftr Sect Christmas on operations
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October was a busy month with the Fitter Section deploying on Op FURIOUS BUGLE (CT1 - CT3)
