Page 81 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Having recently returned from Ex LION STAR the Company had caught the “green bug”, and subsequently planned a “back- to-green” patrolling weekend aimed at NCO development at Leek in July. After a long Friday navigation exercise we based the training at Upper Fleet Green Farm with section level work on Saturday and Sunday. This “back-to-green” approach will be a theme for command leadership training following the recent promotion of Cpl Hancock and Cpl Holmes who both recently returned from operations with 3 MERCIAN. Sgt Minor, who is currently OIC Stoke, has also made his mark as stand in platoon commander.
With the change in emphasis from the Contemporary Operating Environment, members from D Company found themselves mobilised for Op Olympics. With rumours of Volleyball postings, 2Lt Styles had to inform his men that it was not to be and that, the D Company contingent was
to be attached to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards securing Eton Dorney responsible
In Contact during Ex Lion Star
for security as X-Ray operators, team leaders, bag, vehicle and human searchers, with the only key worry being ,”how do I tell this man he can’t bring his champagne in?”. This provided D Company and 4 MERCIAN as a whole with an excellent opportunity for public relations, explaining who we were and where we were from. The events passed us by with a few opportunities to watch Team GB win gold, and a fairly peaceful 3 weeks.
Lt Styles with some of his platoon on Ex Lion Star – Cyprus
D Company has continued with its recruitment surge but our lead part time recruiter took some well earned time off. Pte Evans attended an Adventurous Training package in Cyprus followed by a 2 month youth work project in America which have benefited his interactions with young persons from across a number of varied backgrounds.
e ‘rifles’ company
Capt Gordon Kaye , 2IC E ‘RIFLES’ Coy, 4 MERCIAN
OC: PSAO: 2IC: CSM: RRTT: SPSI: CQMS: QPSI:
Major Martin Watson Capt Keith Mahoney MBE Capt Gordon Kaye
WOII Chris Powell
WOII Keith Groome
WOII Ted Coxon
C/Sjt Matt Pollit
C/Sjt ‘Decca’ Winter
The 2010 – 2011 training year culminated with the safe return from Op HERRICK 14 of L/Cpl Crump, Rfn Empson, Summerfield, Comer who were attached to 3 MERCIAN and Rfn Courtney from 1 RIFLES. Cpl Overton returned from Op HERRICK 15
in the spring of 2012, having completed a successful tour with the REME.
Rfn Empson and Summerfield have both expressed a wish to join the regular army after their tours and will begin training on October 2012.
E Coy had two promotions in the autumn of 2011, with C/Sjt Powell being promoted to WOII. WOII Powell vacated the CQMS stores, allowing Sjt Pollit to accept promotion to C/Sjt and take on the mantle of CQMS.
The last training year saw 4 MERCIAN introduce Op INKERMAN which was aimed at getting the soldiers within
the battalion re trained and re skilled.
E Coy has seized this opportunity to put soldiers on courses and we have now gained additional PTIs (both basic and intermediate), Endurance Training Leaders, RMQ 1-3 / CMCQ qualified soldiers, and an additional chef. I am pleased to report that E Coy
have taken up most of the battalions allocated places on courses. WOII (SPSI) Coxon has been very busy searching DII in order to find training centres that can accommodate
E Coy’s insatiable demand for courses. The fact that E Coy has been able to re skill is testament to the dedication of the soldiers. Most of the Company work shifts or weekends. In order to fill the training gaps, a lot of time off has been taken from our civilian employment or soldiers have organised cover for their shifts to enable the Company to meet its requirement to be a fully functioning part of 4 MERCIAN.
L-R: Rfn Lomas and L/Cpl Zaza, proudly fly the RIFLES flag whilst skiing in Norway
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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