Page 20 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

Pl Cmd Pl Sgt Wr Sgt
Lt Jarrett
Sgt Saunders Sgt Evans
18
6 Platoon
The last 12 months have been eventful
and exciting for the soldiers of 6 Platoon. July of this year saw 6 Platoon, alongside the rest of the Company, deploying on Op INTERFLEX to the exotic location of Kent to deliver training packages to soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This training included weapon handling (or weapon mishandling in some cases) of SA80 and AK-47 variants, battlefield casualty drills, basic fieldcraft, rural and urban tactics and finally a live fire range package.
Very quickly, once the barrier of language and culture had been broken down between us and our Ukrainian comrades, we realised they were not too dissimilar from ourselves – they too enjoyed a late-night can of Monster Energy in a harbour area! Special thanks go to Cpl McKeown, LCpl Clarke and the “noble” Cpl Shepherd for their dedication and professionalism whilst
deployed, but not least to Cpl Jeavons who, as acting Pl Sgt (whilst the OC and CSM selfishly drew Sgt Saunders into Company HQ) ensured the training audience was correctly administered and resourced (and for supporting me with many of my genius and wonderful ideas!).
On return to Bulford, it was not long before the soldiers of 6 Platoon were back out the door and on Salisbury Plain acting as an armoured enemy in Warrior for 2 Royal Anglian on Ex WESSEX STORM. With Sgt Evans (6 Pl Wr Sgt) and masters of combat Pte Higgs and Marsh leading the charge, the R ANGLIAN Battlegroup were in for a tough time! However, this was an excellent opportunity for the armoured crews of the Platoon to shake off the rust and get back into Warrior for the first time since returning from Op CABRIT in Estonia last year.
Congratulations go to Ptes Sutton, Bristow, McGoon, Wilson and Richards who have all successfully promoted to LCpl and performed exceptionally over the last 12 months.
Lt Jarrett is held aloft by Ukrainian trainees who mistook him for Prince Harry’s twin
CGS speaks to some B (Malta) Company trainees on Op INTERFLEX
THE MERCIAN EAGLE