Page 14 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

Pl Cmd Lt Camp
Pl Sgt Sgt Chambers
and defensive
Working alongside interpreters and under the watchful eye of the media, our professionalism shone through
12
2 Platoon
The soldiers of 2 Platoon (‘The Goats’) have been incredibly busy over the last year. They have achieved operational readiness on
Ex IRON STORM, trained Ukrainian Partner Forces on Op INTERFLEX, welcomed soldiers from 2 MERCIAN into our ranks during the amalgamation, and conducted freedom marches across Regimental towns. Whatever the challenge, The Goats have shown what it takes to be a soldier in A (Grenadier) Company; they have stood firm when needed and struck hard when called upon.
In July, soldiers from 2 Platoon deployed on Ex IRON STORM. This was the final stage in the 1 MERCIAN Battle Group’s mission to seek operational readiness.
The Platoon was being assessed on whether it could deploy anywhere in the world, as the army’s Lead Armoured Battle Group (LABG). Much of the Platoon were deployed on Op INTERFLEX, meaning our team was divided. Despite this, 2 Platoon showed what it takes to be an infanteer and successfully achieved operational readiness. The exercise was a gruelling 12 days, operating out of a Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles. The Goats were pushed hard by the demanding exercise, but they completed the offensive
phases with unwavering
resolve. The soldiers of
2 Platoon then enjoyed
a well-earned summer
leave.
Op INTERFLEX was the Government’s commitment to train 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the UK. Soldiers from 2 Platoon formed a team under
a Training Delivery Unit, based in Kent and along the South Coast, with other sub-
units pulled together under a Scots Guards HQ. 2 Platoon troops once again proved little under a week, the
Cpl Masters finding time on a section attack to pose for a photo
3-week training programme. The Ukrainian Partner Forces would learn the core skills required to increase both their survivability and lethality. Working alongside interpreters and under the watchful eye of the media, our professionalism shone through. Mercian soldiers taught the basics, starting with rifle lessons, before moving onto a dry training period. This period included a rural and urban phase, both lasting five days. The end of this package culminated in platoon level assaults onto a Russian trench system and a complex urban scenario. In the final week of the course the partner forces completed live fire ranges. The mentorship of
2 Platoon left the partner forces with a firm understanding of how to shoot accurately, and The Goats can be incredibly proud of what they achieved on Op INTERFLEX.
As a part of the Army’s LABG, 2 Platoon have their eyes set on next year. They must remain ready to deploy, at short notice, anywhere in the world. With the current state of international affairs this feels very real. The Goats have demonstrated this year that no challenge is too big and, if called upon, they will stand up and be counted.
Soldiers of A (Grenadier) Company:
“Arms shoulder high and necks in the back of your collars!”
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
their adaptability. In
team had developed and planned a robust