Bugle Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 23
3 RIFLES
FORGED
IN ICE
3 RIFLES at Ex Frosted Blade
The team arrived in Val D’Isere with a
steep learning curve ahead of them on
Exercise Frosted Blade 40. The team of
eight of whom seven were novice skiers
took a determined approach to become
the best downhill racers they could be in
the coming weeks and making the most
of downtime in Cocorico’s.
The first phase of the exercise began
with skiing lessons with the team being
taught the different disciplines that they
were going to race in during the infantry
championships (for some this started with
being taught how to stand up on skis).
Instructors took the team through a rapid
progression of training with individuals
skiing some of the most complex slopes
in the resort.
After Christmas the team moved into
competition mode with Rfn Lodge, Rfn
Cottam, Rfn McNeill and Rfn Born racing
on the A hill and Lt Giles, LCpl Sims, Rfn
Hunter and Rfn Whittington racing on
the B hill. The teams raced in multiple
disciplines over one week including
Slalom, Giant Slalom and A Hill doing
downhill. Overall, a strong performance
with some standout individual
performances in the novice category. Rfn
Cottam won overall best novice with him
and Rfn McNeill winning multiple medals
in the novice category across several of
the individual events.
3 RIFLES RECCE
CADRE 26
The Recce Cadre provided a demanding and rewarding introduction
to reconnaissance, developing soldiers capable of operating
independently, thinking critically, and gathering intelligence in both
urban and rural environments.
The opening two weeks focused on the fundamentals. Students
completed fitness assessments, navigation tests, military knowledge
evaluations, and lessons on observation posts (OPs) and Close Target
Reconnaissance (CTR).
The cadre then moved into an intensive urban phase at Carrow Works.
Utilising the factory complex and surrounding buildings, students applied
their new skills in a realistic setting. The exercise culminated in a raid on
the objective, requiring teamwork, adaptability, and confidence in newly
acquired drills. For many students, this was a highlight of the course.
Training then shifted to the rural
environment, where students learned
how to establish and operate tactical OPs,
conduct contact drills, and utilise live and
dead letterbox systems. These skills were
The
tested during a demanding final exercise in
inclusion
Otterburn, where patrols sustained themselves
of Army
in observation positions for several days
Air
Corps
while conducting CTR tasks and supporting
Apache
a deliberate attack. The inclusion of Army
Air Corps Apache helicopters equipped with
helicopters
thermal and infrared capabilities added a
equipped
realistic challenge, forcing patrols to maintain
with
the highest standards of concealment.
thermal and
The cadre concluded with LFTT, progressing
infrared
from individual fire and manoeuvre serials
to patrol-level activity by night. Challenging
capabilities
throughout, the course successfully developed
added a
the next generation of Recce Patrolmen
realistic
and provided valuable experience for both
challenge
seasoned reconnaissance soldiers and those
new to the role.
Rfn Christie and LCpl Metcalfe
3 RIFLES Recce Platoon
RIFLES The Bugle 23
