Page 22 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

Pl Comd Pl Sgt WR Sgt
Lt Johl/2Lt Richards
Sgt Strong
Sgt Fellows/ Sgt Hodson
20
8 Platoon – 2Lt Richards
2018 has been a very active year for 8
Pl, beginning the year participating in
Ex URBAN DAWN to help our army better understand the urban battlefield, testing out new technologies and trialling new techniques. Shortly after this 8 Pl deployed to Castlemartin Ranges with the battalion, preparing and ensuring we would be ready for the challenging environment of Oman on Ex SAIF SAREEA 3. The weather in Pembrokeshire is rarely very nice but as if in anticipation for our
deployment to Oman
we had a gloriously
sunny range package.
The Pl performed
extremely well, helping
the battalion achieve
a company integrated
attack with dismounts;
a feat that hadn’t been achieved in Castlemartin for over 8 years! The highlight of the month was C Company winning the inter-company sports. A lengthy summer break ensured the Pl was ready and rested to deploy to Oman in what would prove to be a testing but exciting deployment.
In early September, 8 Pl deployed on
Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 with the majority deploying with the advance party to ensure that the vehicles made their way safely from Duqm port to the training area in the North. This was to prove a testing exercise for all. Once we had left the delights (and WIFI) of Shafa camp behind we entered the unforgiving rocky terrain of Northern Oman. For many in the Pl this was their first overseas deployment, for some it was
even their first exercise with the Battalion! Despite all this the
Pl performed above
all expectations even gaining recognition from the OPFOR commander for their tenacity in clearing positions.
The exercise wasn’t without its hardships though, whether that be the extreme heat of the middle of the day or the camel spiders and rats that were a nuisance. The Pl had several attachments from within the Battalion and from the RMP (and for a while 2 rather confused sappers who came along
For many in the Pl this was their first overseas deployment...
Cpl Carrol, Pte Murdock and Pte Tomkinson / Scanning their arcs in Oman / Oman / Oct 18
for the ride) and proved extremely useful additions. The exercise ended with some much-needed AT giving the lads plenty of time to see Oman and meet the people.
On our return from Oman LCpl Cotterill and Pte Murdoch competed in Battalion Boxing, coached by our own LCpl Shephard. With both having taken the sport up only a few months prior, it was a very impressive achievement. The NCOs
of 8 PL also ran a successful Pre-cadre
for all those going on the Kings Division JNCO cadre. The Pl enjoyed a well-earned Christmas break after what has been a long and productive year in C Coy. The men of
8 Pl have performed well this last year and will carry on the lessons learnt whether that be from a rainy Salisbury plain or from the deserts of Oman into 2019 showing others in the Battalion just how things are done.
8 Platoon NCOs at sunset in Oman / Oman / Oct 18
8 Platoon on Ex SS3 / Oman / Oct 18
THE MERCIAN EAGLE