Page 29 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

Anti-Tank Platoon
Pl Cmd Capt G Fossey Pl Sgt WO2 Rabuli
In April, the 1 MERCIAN Battlegroup
was sent to train in the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT) in Germany to conduct a simulation exercise as part of
the preparation for Exercise IRON STORM and becoming the Lead Armoured Battle Group (LABG). The last time the Company was in Germany was pre-Op CABRIT 8
in early 2021 when COVID was rife. This limited our ability to conduct any form of worthwhile training or to sing karaoke in
the ‘Auld Triangle’ of an evening. This year, however, was different. With a relatively new and inexperienced chain of command, the Anti-Tank Platoon benefited hugely from deploying as a platoon and, even after
only two weeks of training, the difference could be seen by all. With Ex IRON STORM looming, this put the Platoon in a strong position to deploy in good order onto Salisbury Plain and conduct some good old-fashioned Anti-Tanking.
Ex IRON STORM was supposed to be the culmination of the platoon’s training, following preparation in the UK and Germany. However, troop availability for
the exercise was severely diminished by Dragon Company’s contribution to Op INTERFLEX – training Ukrainians in the
UK. The remaining manpower and vehicles were combined to create an Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Group at the forefront of the 1 MERCIAN Battlegroup. Although thin on the ground, a convincing frontage was created, helping to provide both fire support and a credible intelligence feed back to the rifle companies as they advanced. Overall, despite obvious disadvantages, the Anti- Tank Platoon managed to gain some vital experience and came out better than it went in.
A last-minute task to deploy on Op
A Javelin Detachment mounting a Warrior Castlemartin – Apr 22
INTERFLEX landed just before the 2022 summer heatwave kicked in. Unfortunately, the Platoon was staring down the barrel
of a summer spent in Kent teaching Ukrainian recruits, as opposed to sunning themselves on the
A Javelin post Castlemartin – Apr 22
culmination of their training. A live firing package was also crafted, culminating in some outstanding live fire training on the south coast. We endeavoured to provide the most realistic insight into what the
beaches. In hindsight,
this role turned out to
be extremely rewarding
and, towards the end
of the second rotation,
every training team was
a well-oiled and slick
outfit delivering some
outstanding training as
part of this vital effort.
The training consisted
of a five-week package (three weeks for the initial rotation) with various urban and rural training programmes being created to give the Ukrainians a thorough understanding
of what they will face for real upon the
Ukrainian troops could expect on the front line and hopefully gave them at least some slight advantage.
What was meant to be a relatively relaxed year after nearly 12 months away turned out to be quite busy. As always, however, the Anti-Tank Platoon took
it within their stride and were competent, professional and well-humoured throughout; a credit to both the Company and the Regiment.
We endeavoured to provide the most realistic insight into what the Ukrainian troops could expect on the front line
A Javelin Section Castlemartin – Apr 22
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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