Page 10 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

8
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Commanding Officer’s Foreword
Lt Col Dean Canham OBE
This Mercian Eagle is the first published since the formation of the new 1st Battalion, post- amalgamation with the 2nd Battalion. The Formation Day of the Battalion, on the 15th anniversary of the formation of the Regiment, marked the start of another new era, and was fittingly recognised on the day with a parade in Bulford and a Regimental dinner night.
There was much hard work undertaken by both Battalions before and after the day itself though, which ensured the
amalgamation was as positive
already surging forwards, taking its place as the Lead Armoured Battle Group for much of 2023.
The briefest of pauses to mark Formation
Day would be easy to miss among the plethora of operational activity the Battalion conducted through the end of 2022 and into 2023. The Battalion undertook the ‘IRON STORM’ series
of exercises to prepare itself for taking on the role of Lead Armoured Battle Group; a sobering and mind-focussing role in the context of what is
happening in eastern Europe. The late Queen’s funeral stands prominent amongst
the less aggressive tasks; the Battalion’s support – lining part of the route for the cortège – was a poignant moment for
all involved. Further ceremony was to follow, though with
a quite different tone, as
the Battalion exercised the
Regiment’s Freedoms of Chester, Tamworth, and Nottingham. Great turnouts made each a special occasion which reaffirmed support for the Battalion in some of its traditional ‘home’ counties. We have had troops stationed in Kent, supporting the Home Office in migrant control, and supported several other organisations with troops to cover industrial strikes over the winter period.
The training of Ukrainian Armed Forces in the UK kept a significant element of the Battalion busy for several months and is preeminent in providing a visceral sense of purpose for our soldiers and officers. The stories of the direct, positive impact that our efforts have had on the conflict are filtering back, particularly through the friendships that were made. Whilst Ukrainian troops left the training package with a significantly enhanced understanding of the basic skills and drills required
an experience as possible.
That work paid off; the physical
aspects of moving soldiers and
officers around was complete
before the end of 2022, and
the comprehensive audit and
redistribution of chattels –
incorporating a balance of
representation of all three
antecedent Mercian Regiments across all Messes and locations that will still be going on for a number of months yet. There have already been huge steps forward in cementing teams and fledgling careers in the new Battalion and the new 1st Battalion is
The Battalion’s support – lining part of the route for the cortège – was a poignant moment for all involved
1MERCIAN