Page 24 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

Pl Comd Pl Sgt
WR Sgt
2Lt Moore
Sgt Sinclair/
Sgt Macalpine-Gasse
Sgt Hird
22
9 Platoon on Ex SS3 / Oman / Oct 18
9 Platoon – 2Lt Moore
9 Platoon had an interesting start to
the year and as part of the Battalion’s wider restructuring 9 Platoon became
the Company’s rehabilitation platoon.
The aim being to aid and facilitate injured soldiers’ rehabilitation and reintegration into active duty. This proved a great success with many soldiers overcoming long term injuries and returning fully fit with several embarking on NCO Cadres.
At the start of the year 9 Platoon provided able assistance to the rest of the Company as they embarked on Ex URBAN
DAWN where the participant’s displayed commendable professionalism contributing to the development of Urban doctrine within the British Army.
In the summer the Battalion deployed
to the infamous Castlemartin to conduct
a Live Firing Package. 9 Platoon was
seen all over the Welsh hillsides with LCpl Hassall screaming fire control orders, Pte Smith whizzing around the CQ’s scoff
and Sgt Sinclair keeping things running smoothly throughout. Shortly afterwards the aforementioned outstanding SNCO moved on to Dragon Company as CQ tech; the beating heart of the platoon he will be sorely missed.
In September the platoon deployed as part of 1 MERCIAN Battlegroup on Ex SAIF SAREEA 3. Our soldiers made up the crews of the vehicles while soldiers from 3 RIFLES
9 Platoon dueling with the OPFOR from the HCR on Ex SS3 / Oman / Oct 18
became the dismounts. The newcomers quickly integrated although the Mercian’s never did get quite used to “fixing swords” and “rise”. The Omani desert and climate presented an interesting challenge to
9 Platoon with 33U all too happy to test out the robustness of the Warrior! It was not all work and no play with members of the platoon going on AT throughout Oman,
sailing in the Indian Ocean, hiking in the Jebel Ahkdar or snorkeling in coral reefs.
All in all a busy but productive year for the men of 9 platoon with much to look forward to in 2019.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
9 Platoon members in the Jebel Ahkdar during adventurous training on Ex SS3 / Oman / Oct 18