Page 18 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Mortar Platoon by Capt Rich Sawyer
Following a period of transition following HERRICK 12, it was pleasing to see a
number of talented mortarmen emerging within the platoon, and a significant number
of Advanced and Standard qualifications
have been achieved in the last year, setting the conditions to move into mission-specific training. During HFT, the platoon was involved in a large quantity of RAAT taskings, including supporting 1RGR on
a great opportunity for the mortar platoon to flex its muscle and display to the Battle Group their mortaring proficiency. Following a period of integration into the Operational Support Group, where the platoon where practised in joint fires, firing alongside the light guns of 97 Bty and allowing the MFCs to be fully embedded with the FSTs, the mortars then supported each rifle company
role were just some of the fantastic benefits the platoon experienced from exercising
in this environment. It also allowed the Officers’ Mess to display its mortaring prowess, despite the best efforts of the Sgts’ mess ‘all star’ detachment and its seemingly unlimited supply of ammunition.
Since then, the feet of the mortar platoon have hardly touched the ground as they have found themselves a much in demand asset throughout the MST period. Not only have they been supporting the Battle Group C-MST exercises such as CFX and the CALFEX, but also deploying on exercises such as MOUNTAIN DRAGON, where they are further integrated into the FSTs with the Royal Artillery.
As the deployment to HERRICK 17 gets ever nearer, the mortar platoon looks to be in good shape and is ready to take on the challenges that await them in Afghanistan.
Exercise WESSEX THUNDER, and the hair-raising experience of providing a safety team for a mortar platoon from the French Marines on a live fire inter-impact shoot in Brecon.
The battalion’s HFT culminated on Exercise ASKARI THUNDER, in Kenya, and this was
...and the hair-raising experience of providing a safety team for a mortar platoon from the French Marines on a live fire inter- impact shoot in Brecon.
in turn, firing both
day and night on the company CALFEX.
The terrain provided new challenges for
the MFCs, which they greatly benefitted from and the amount and variety of live firing available was absolutely fantastic for the mortar lines. Firing on full charge and in the direct
Mor Pl SP COY IM
16
Sgt Hough is now known as the cat for the amount of lives he used up after being repeatedly killed by the TES kit and special mention has to go to Cpl Golden-Phillips who used his girth to stop a young female medic from being squashed by a quad and trailer during an exercise CAEVAC, injuring himself in the process.
There were many a close encounter with wild life; Capt Clayton was awoken from his slumber one night ‘literally face to face with a Hyena’, his driver failing to wake up to lend a hand. Cpl Larkey, LCpl Connor and Capt March were stalked whilst conducting a recce for the final attack having to engage a Hyena with a mini flare and Sgt Billows and Sgt Hough donned their body armour and armed themselves with machetes whilst trying to light a fire to scare off a lion during a night range.
The exercise was a hugely positive experience and thoroughly enjoyed by the FSG. Adventure training allowed the men to relax prior to the return to the UK. Safari, river jumping, diving and a trip up Mount Kenya were all on offer and gave Pte Chapman the chance to show off his flamboyant and colourful vest collection.
On returning to the UK the focus was shifted back to the impending Operational tour and range packages were organised and run by Sgts Hough and Billows. The FSG is in a much better place than it was 12 months ago. This is in no small part down to the men who made it work and shared their expertise in different weapon systems and employment and in turn were willing to listen and learn from others.
The FSG sadly has had its fair share of trauma over the past 12 months and our thoughts are with the families of LCpls
The late LCpl Quigley (standing far right)
Birch and Quigley who sadly both died this year in difficult circumstances. Both were colleagues and friends and are very much missed by those they left behind in the Battalion especially within the FSG.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE