Page 50 - MERCIAN Eagle 2022

JAGUAR PLC.
Task Force Hannibal
Capt Dave Sidwell
As part of Task Force Hannibal (TFH), deployed to Kenya in Feb 22 to provide a realistic and challenging enemy to
the 1 PWRR BG, the Reconnaissance and Sniper Platoons combined to form Jaguar PLC. Separate from the regular fighting forces of TFH, Jaguar played-out the role of a local extremist insurgent group, using unconventional tactics and hybrid warfare to disrupt, delay, harass and destroy the enemy.
To ensure they were effective in this role, the Jaguar group conducted a 3-week BCS package of conceptual development, ROC drills, study groups and training exercises. The focus was
to move away from conventional tactics and employ outside-the-box thinking to fight like an insurgent group. Specifically, the training focussed on three key
areas: HQ raids, supply chain attacks, and vehicle ambushes. They practised operating as small teams (sometimes down to pairs), behind the conventional lines of enemy fighting units, blending-in with the locals and using criminal forces and civilians to gather intelligence. This enabled Jaguar commanders to plan offensive operations to disrupt the enemy through strikes on key nodes such as HQ and logistic elements. Alongside this, Jaguar commanders worked closely with the CIS and Intelligence team to develop methods of information operations to be used against the BG in the rear areas where Jaguar would be operating.
Following the BCS phase, it was time to put the newly developed tactics into practice on the main exercise. Pairs of highly mobile, determined soldiers were able to significantly delay the movement of enemy fighting companies by deceiving them into thinking they were facing a Pl- or Coy- sized strength. This was done through rapid and deliberate shoot-and-scoot tactics, and by calling fires. Throughout, Jaguar proved they were able to locate the enemy HQ
locations and disrupt through direct raids, supply chains were disrupted through attacks on A1 and A2 echelons in the rear, and CASEVAC/resupply nodes were severely disrupted through the application of opportunistic vehicle ambushes.
This exercise was a fantastic opportunity for the men of Recce
and Sniper Platoons to showcase their versatility, creativity, and lethality. Highlights include LCpl Rana’s raid of BG Main during the defence of Makuti Village, Pte Mountford’s 19 confirmed kills in one night defending Mawati Village, and the entire Jaguar force conducting an infiltration through an enemy main defensive area using local taxis as cover.
The main standouts include Sgt
Kane, for his successful attack on the enemy Commanding Officer position during the “last stand” of Climbing
Rock, and Cpl Butler winning the CO’s “Deadliest Soldier” award, for his ruthless determination and inspiring leadership.
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Sniper Platoon
Our time as 2 MERCIAN is drawing to an end, and before we close the book and start the next chapter it’s a great time to reflect on what was an extremely busy 12 months for the Pl. We have been a part of three Sniper Operators Courses (SOC) and deployed to Kenya as TFH.
We have been a part of 3 SOC’s over
the last 12 months - the 1 MERCIAN
SOC during Op CABRIT, 4x centralised SOC and the 2 Scots SOC. We sent both instructors and students on all three, gaining seven badged snipers. The SOC has a reputation for being an extremely
hard course with an exceptionally high standard. Due to the job role, snipers need to be experts in marksmanship, navigation, observation and stalking on top of a solid foundation of infantry skills. The main areas soldiers struggle with is stalking which is a culmination of all the sniper skills. They must stalk into position and fire onto an enemy OP and extract without being seen. As the old proverb goes “the carp who keeps his mouth shut never gets caught”.
During a deployment on Ex AS 5/21, nine members from the Pl deployed as part of Task Force Hannibal (TFH). Snipers formed up with the RECCE platoon and made up the bulk of the “Jaguar” force for TFH. They snurgled around the battlefield and attrited the 1 PWRR BG with several different non- conventional tactics. This helped test the BG decision making process and added complexity to the situation.
“We deployed in small teams observing and passing back information to the
Pl Comd IOT track the 1 PWRR BG movements and then direct our forces to have the biggest effect. A lot of what we did was logging and reporting but when we had our chance, we came down on them like a ton of bricks.” - LCpl [REDACTED]
In summary we have gained 7 badged snipers and had a successful final deployment to Kenya, operating in an arduous environment conducting unfamiliar non-conventional tactics. As we all go our separate way to other sniper platoons, I wish my troops all the best in their careers as snipers. SFSH.
“Consistency is accuracy”
THE MERCIAN EAGLE