Page 39 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Sniper Pl Op HERRICK 15
On Op HERRICK15, the 2 MERCIAN Sniper Platoon deployed with 8 trained snipers. The platoon was split down into a 4 man team with A Coy and a 2 man team with
B Coy and C Coy. The snipers were used in a variety of different
ways throughout the
tour; being dropped
were denied the opportunity to place IEDs on the road. If the enemy were seen placing IEDs this was reported up the chain of command and the appropriate action taken.
On another operation the snipers were in Forward Operating Base
the area they were operating in was denser, therefore there was no need for the longer range provided by the L115A3. The other benefit of patrolling with the L129A1 is that it is shorter and more manoeuvrable when in dense vegetation; its semi-automatic option also provides the capability of a higher rate of fire.
Pre-deployment training
To become a badged sniper requires the soldier to pass 2 training phases; Part 1, shooting and marksmanship, and Part 2, fieldcraft. To become a badged sniper these must be completed in this order. The Part
1 course is run at the specialist weapons school in Brecon and is taught by Sniper Instructors from the Field Army, lasting 4 weeks. Part 2 is run at Battalion level by the Sniper Instructors in the unit and usually lasts for 6 weeks, depending on any pre- training the soldiers have had before. Due to the heavy commitments on every unit at the moment, it therefore can take a long time
to become a badged sniper, as the Sniper Platoon normally run a single Part 2 course each year and potential snipers must have completed the Part 1 prior to this.
ROBINSON, working with US Marines in their observation towers
and assisting with overwatching the green zone. The snipers also worked with the Warrior Group, supplied by 5 RIFLES, going on patrol and being dropped off in checkpoints.
Weapons
The main weapon used throughout the tour was the L115A3 Sniper Rifle and proved to be very effective as the winter drew closer, due to the arcs and ranges of engagement being increased as the foliage on the trees fell off. As these arcs were increased, the rifle proved most useful when it was used in the towers around the Patrol Bases and on compound roofs. Some snipers preferred to patrol with the L129A1 sharpshooter rifle, as
off on patrol by the
remainder of the
multiple to provide
overwatch and also
keeping the patrol
updated on any change
in atmospherics on the
ground. The snipers
were also on occasion
left in the Patrol Bases/
Checkpoints providing
overwatch for any patrols on the ground from the sangars.
Operations
The largest operation the snipers were deployed on was in support of Combined Force BURMA close to Sangin. Whilst there, the snipers were used in Observation Posts overwatching Route 611, the main supply route in the area, ensuring that the enemy
The snipers were also on occasion left in the Patrol Bases/checkpoints providing overwatch for any patrols on the ground from the sangars.
Mortaring in the COIN Environment by Sgt L Thomas/ Sgt A Slingsby 2 MERCIAN
Mortar Fire Controller Perspective
During the HERRICK campaign we have seen genuine developments in mortaring and the integration of the principles of COIN. During HERRICK 6, the Mortar Platoon fired over 30,000 rounds in a six month deployment which contrasts heavily with HERRICK 15, where in comparison only 300 were expended. On HERRICK 6 it was classic, conventional war fighting, repelling a well determined enemy with everything available in order to survive.
During MST prior to HERRICK 15 the Platoon began to integrate ISTAR at a much lower level. The use of ISTAR is key to success in counter insurgency, not only to make sure the correct target is struck but also to limit collateral damage. The mortar is not a precision strike weapon and consequently is no longer the ground commander’s first weapon of choice.
The Mortar Fire Controller (MFC) is now integrated within the Fire Support Team (FST), working to the Joint Fires Cell (JFC) through the FST commander. Consequently the FST Commander is now the ground commander’s adviser and the MFCs are used as Fire Support Individuals (FSI).
The methods employed during HERRICK 15 were to use ISTAR to its full capacity, building up a pattern of life and watching the insurgents on a day to day basis, and building up target packs and providing evidence to the JFC. The MFC had access to Base ISTAR, which was used on a daily
basis to accumulate evidence of insurgents repeatedly engaging ISAF troops. Once
all evidence had been gained it was sent
to TFH for approval to strike. This proved highly successful throughout HERRICK
15 and the evidence gained not only allowed authority to be granted to strike from TFH with full confidence that rules of engagement were fulfilled and with zero expectation of collateral damage but also to provide training aids to the rest of the brigade on real time scenarios.
locations of friendly forces, both ANSF and ISAF. Every operation that now takes place is led, planned and executed by members of the ANSF with ISAF in support. It is for this reason that the use of ISTAR is key
in building up a pattern of life studies and identifying who are the insurgents and who are the civilians. Not only does this force the enemy on to the back foot, it also provides the ground commander with the intelligence on which compounds have been used by the insurgents, derelict compounds and
The modern battlefield has developed into a
war of intelligence gathering, ensuring ISAF engages the enemy at the right time and on the ground of its choosing, adhering to the principles of COIN. Winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan people directly impacts on the momentum
The modern battlefield has developed into a war of intelligence gathering, ensuring iSAF engages the enemy at the right time and on the ground of its choosing, adhering to the principles of cOin.
civilian compounds. Mortars are still active within Helmand Province and remain an indirect fire asset to the troops on the ground. However, instead of suppressing targets with high volumes
of HE, they provide smoke screens and illum missions. It is very seldom that HE is used.
These changes and developments have had a positive effect
of the enemy and by
destroying the enemy
without endangering the innocent, ISAF are certainly taking steps in the right direction.
There are many considerations that
the MFC or FSI have to make prior to engaging a target with mortars. Operational safety is the most important, taking into consideration where civilians live and work,
on the war in Afghanistan. Incorporating COIN and allowing the ANSF to take the lead is a positive step forward toward the draw-down of ISAF in Afghanistan. The zero collateral damage policy can be frustrating when an insurgent cannot be engaged when merely stood by a compound wall. It
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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