Page 27 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

Sniper Platoon
This year saw the 1 MERCIAN Sniper Platoon continue to develop. We worked hard to build on our basic skills and those required to deploy as part of an armoured or light role unit. The troops enjoyed
varied and engaging training in different environments, concentrating on the fundamentals of marksmanship, navigation and observation whilst also looking to increase and expand on infantry core skills such as Fighting In Woods And Forests (FIWAF) and Operating in Built Up Areas (OBUA).
After some much-needed rest and recuperation over last Christmas the Platoon started to go through the gears in 2022 preparing for any potential
future deployment as part of the Lead Armoured Battle Group (LABG). An initial deployment to Sennybridge Training Area (SENTA) allowed for the development
of junior platoon members in arduous circumstances and allowed the senior team to practice their basic skills and instructional techniques. Following some long insertion marches and rapid attacks, the platoon settled down into their role and spent the remainder of the exercise preparing our new snipers for assessment on a sniper cadre.
With Ex IRON STORM looming, the Platoon deployed to Castlemartin Ranges for an excellent opportunity to partake
in a live fire package building from the basics of marksmanship all the way
to loophole shooting. Whilst the main
effort was improving our shooting ability, there was also a large emphasis on the improvement of the spotter skills and overall coaching ability within the Platoon. The Sniper Platoon deployed on all the phases involved in Ex IRON STORM with sniper pairs divided amongst Zulu Company Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and 1 MERCIAN’s A (Grenadier) Company. This allowed both rifle companies to understand and experiment with the firepower, effects,
and skills that the Sniper Platoon
can use to help achieve the commander’s intent.
Recent months have seen the remainder of the Platoon deploy on Op INTERFLEX. Junior and Senior NCO’s worked hard
to deliver multiple 21-day packages of robust and arduous training designed
to take Ukrainian civilian volunteers and prepare them for a life in their Army and
all the demands it currently faces. It was
a demanding but worthwhile task for all involved.
Following the Regimental amalgamation, the new Sniper Platoon are integrating well and are looking forward to seeing what the new 1st Battalion is to become. The focus is now to ensure
all Platoon
members
badge
PL level BCS – Sennybride – Feb 22
successfully on the Queen’s Division Training Team Sniper Operator Course (SOC) or the 1 MERCIAN sponsored 12 Armd Brigade Combat Team SOC. These courses are a brilliant opportunity for forging the new Platoon and its team ethos. An extremely busy 12 months for the Platoon are likely to follow.
Finally, always setting an example
within the Platoon, Cpl’s Kilby and Bruton represented 1 MERCIAN against all units within 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade
and 20 Armoured Brigade annual sniper concentration and competition; working as a team spotter and firer, they managed to achieve 1st Place.
“Consistency is accuracy”.
Live firing – Castlemartin – Jun 22
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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