Soldiers from The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment – known as The Vikings – have been honing their infantry skills in an arduous training exercise in Northumberland before heading for a brigade exercise in Kenya next month.
Royal Anglians take part in a live firing training exercise at Otterburn Camp prior to their deployment to Kenya on Exercise Bull storm.
Royal Anglians take part in a live firing training exercise at Otterburn Camp prior to their deployment to Kenya on Exercise Bull storm.
Royal Anglians take part in a live firing training exercise at Otterburn Camp prior to their deployment to Kenya on Exercise Bull storm.
Royal Anglians take part in a live firing training exercise at Otterburn Camp prior to their deployment to Kenya on Exercise Bull storm.
Royal Anglians take part in a live firing training exercise at Otterburn Camp prior to their deployment to Kenya on Exercise Bull storm.
The Battalion has now returned to its core infantry role following a successful two years delivering Security Force Assistance (SFA) as part of 11 Brigade.
Through the training we delivered, we were able to build strength and team cohesion with our allies and partners while improving our own warfighting capabilities. These valuable skills have been brought forward as we return to our core infantry role.
During its time as an SFA Battalion, the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment partnered with allied nations to provide training and tactical advice.
This experience has enhanced its own warfighting skills and improved interoperability with UK allies.
Major Paul Machnicki, Officer Commanding B (Suffolk) Company, said: "Through the training we delivered, we were able to build strength and team cohesion with our allies and partners while improving our own warfighting capabilities.
"These valuable skills have been brought forward as we return to our core infantry role."
The 1st Battalion recently completed intensive training at Otterburn Training Area in preparation for their upcoming deployment.
The training included the Annual Combat Marksman Test and a comprehensive live fire package covering pairs, section, and platoon attacks, culminating in live firing platoon attacks. These exercises were designed to sharpen marksmanship and develop infantry skills.
Live fire tactical training involves moving and firing as you would do with a real enemy, using real rounds, real movements and real command and control. It's the best training the soldiers will experience.
"It feels good to get back on the ranges and focus on training ourselves after having trained other audiences and NATO partners," said Major Jet Ryan, Officer Commanding A (Norfolk) Company.
"Live fire tactical training involves moving and firing as you would do with a real enemy, using real rounds, real movements and real command and control. It's the best training the soldiers will experience."
The challenging Otterburn landscape and variable weather conditions, ranging from bright sunshine to sub-zero temperatures and snow, tested the soldiers' resilience and adaptability.
The core role of our soldiers is to close with and defeat the enemy through close combat.
"The core role of our soldiers is to close with and defeat the enemy through close combat," explained Major Paul Machnicki who was the lead planner for the Live Firing Exercise.
"We are a battlegroup with a long history of warfighting. Many of our Corporals, Sergeants and Warrant Officers are highly operationally experienced, which provides institutional memory and expertise."
He added: "The crucial thing is that soldiering is hard, and we need robust, resilient infantry soldiers to do the job. Working in an environment like Otterburn is perfect for honing their skills.”
Next month The Vikings will deploy to Kenya as part of Exercise Bull Storm, an 11 Brigade exercise.
The exercise marks the start of 11 Brigade’s transition back to its former role as a frontline fighting formation, ready for deployment by the end of 2025.
This timeline supports the Chief of the General Staff's objective to double the Army's fighting power by 2027.
The crucial thing is that soldiering is hard, and we need robust, resilient infantry soldiers to do the job. Working in an environment like Otterburn is perfect for honing their skills.
The 1st Battalion comprises five companies, each with distinct capabilities and operational functions:
- A (Norfolk) Company serves as the primary rifle company within the battalion while B (Suffolk) Company comprises two Anti-Tank platoons and one Assault Pioneer platoon.
- Reconnaissance and sniper operations are the responsibility of C (Essex) Company which functions as the Battalion's intelligence-gathering arm, operating covertly behind enemy lines to locate and, if required, destroy the enemy.
- D (Cambridgeshire) Company delivers manoeuvre support through two Mortar platoons and two Machine Gun platoons
- The enablers of HQ Company oversee workforce, training, intelligence, and logistics.
- HQ Company includes the Commanding Officer, Second-In Command, Operations, and Intelligence Officers. The staff receive and process information to paint a picture of what is happening on the battlefield so that the Commanding Officer can make decisions.
This structure ensures the Battalion maintains comprehensive operational capabilities across various combat scenarios.
