Page 75 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Individual winners:
Best Young Officer Best LSW Shot
Best Pistol Shot
Lt Rawji (D Coy)
Pte Henshaw (C Coy) Pte Lam (B Coy)
the Italian Alpini Brigade, 23 SAS and The Royal Marines, we had originally intended to climb Mont Blanc, but after heavy snowfalls we were not allowed on the mountain. However, we did climb 2 other peaks, Gran Paradiso (4060 m) and Monte Rosa (4650m). We hope to repeat the expedition next year and, who knows, we might make it an annual battalion event.
The last major event of the year is a deployment of a 30-man training team to Uganda. I will lead the team which will deliver a short FTX to the Uganda Brigade which will deploy to Somalia in December. This is an outstanding opportunity for both the battalion and the TA. This may be the shape of things to come. If short-term training teams are the future for the reserves, I am extremely pleased that we are involved at this early stage and we are able to put a marker down for future deployments of this type for this battalion.
AWARD
NAME
Best Young Shot
LCpl Myers (B Coy)
Best Old Shot
Sgt Newell (HQ Coy)
Best Individual Shot
Pte Henshaw ( C Coy)
In September, the RSM and I took a small team into the Italian Alps for two weeks’ mountaineering. Supported by members of
A company
by 2 Lt Charles Fadipe
Over the last 12 months, the Army has undergone some major changes which
have led to an increased number of varied opportunities for the Territorial Army, including the opportunity for more collaborative work between units. In late January the Company was asked to supply half a dozen soldiers to help out on a 202 Field Hospital weekend as they had their AMMSTE competition coming up later in the year and wanted some training in basic infantry skills.
Sergeant Gorin and a select few went along and delivered lessons that included patrolling skills, mine clearance, section attacks and contact drills. They kindly
Fusilier Reynolds with Mo Farah
returned the favour to
us and gave a lesson
on Advanced First Aid
in the Field, and the
weekend was enjoyed
by all, with everyone
learning some new
skills. Life in the TA
isn’t always about
training and courses;
there are also social
nights organised which
allows soldiers to bond in a more relaxed atmosphere. One weekend in February
we went to show our support to Fusilier Andy Gartside, one of our fittest Company members, who was taking part in a kick- boxing competition. He duly won his fight and celebrated with us afterwards, but was seen to be limping for the next few days!
In between training, there is a lot of opportunity to attend various courses and adventure training. Over the past few months a number of our SNCOS/JNCOS and Fusiliers have attended Endurance Training Leadership (ETL) courses, which enable them to safely conduct physical training to prepare for military fitness tests. Sgt Gorin also used this opportunity to attend the new Battlefield Casualty Drill Trainer course, and he became qualified to teach soldiers how
to carry out battlefield first aid as well as qualifying as a Team Medic in the process.
Meanwhile Corporal Korimbocus took part in the 16th annual event of Exercise Cyprus Cycle Challenge. This was a fund raising event to raise funds
for Forces Charities. This year a team from
4 MERCIAN, including Cpl Korimbocus from
A (Fusilier) Company,
entered in order to raise funds for the
Royal British Legion. This proved to be a serious physical challenge as it involved approximately 500km of cycling completed over four stages, including two mountain stages in baking heat and sun. The mountain stages included over 5000m of climbing. The route saw riders from Cyprus, Germany and the UK cover the greater part of Southern Cyprus with an occasional foray into the UN- controlled Buffer Zone. All stages had their challenges; however, the third stage was the main event for most participants as it was 106km-long climb up Troodos Mountian.
Cpl Korimbocus completed the climb in three hours 55 minutes and 16 seconds. Anything below four hours is said to be pretty impressive, with most riders completing the climb in around five hours. Cpl Korimbocus finished in a very respectable second place, beating the RSM into fourth place.
in between training, there is a lot of opportunity to attend various courses and adventure training.
Fusilier Andy Gortside
Cpl Nazir Korimbocus
Parachute jump
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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