Page 27 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

Javelin Platoon – Capt Courtney
Having been involved in no less than two deployments to Canada, as well as the deployment to Oman, the Javelin Platoon have spent very little of the last year within the confines of Bulford Camp! That said,
the Platoon have performed outstandingly throughout: be that the newly-qualified Cpl James stepping up to command a section at short notice in BATUS (which he did superbly); or Pte Rutland working tirelessly and above his pay grade to keep the platoon vehicles operational in the harsh deserts of Oman; Javelin Platoon
Needless to say, the competence and the professionalism of our soldiers throughout the exercise demonstrated the value of Javelin as a Battle Group anti-armour asset to the KRH.
The Platoon also deployed a section on Exercise SAIF SAREEA 3 in Oman, led by the ever-impressive Sgt Crawford. The Section excelled and received standout praise from the observer mentors, while maintaining 100% manning and vehicle states throughout the exercise – no
was LCpl Marsden, who as the Platoon signaller, worked tirelessly to maintain communications, as well as stepping up
at short notice to be a Javelin Detachment Commander. The exercise culminated in the joint Omani-UK Fire Power Demonstration (FPD), and it was a proud moment for
Cpl Hoyte, LCpl Adams, Pte Rutland and Pte Bentley who reaped the rewards for their individual hard work for the year by firing their first live Javelin missiles – all successfully engaging their targets.
Congratulations are in order for Ptes Noone and Bentley, who have both completed and passed PJNCO cadres this year. We hope to see them promoting to LCpl soon. Also to Cpl James, who qualified as a Javelin Section Commander who I anticipate will step seamlessly into his new role when the time comes.
Every year sees a natural degree of churn, and with it some farewells and welcomes. Firstly, I would personally like to thank Capt Chris Bermingham for all his sterling work
as the previous Platoon Commander and in handing over the Platoon in such a strong state. We also said a fond farewell to Sgt Richard Shaw, who has been part of the lifeblood of the Platoon for a number of years and has now gone on to a posting with 4 MERCIAN – he has certainly left his mark with Javelin Platoon and we wish him all the best. With Sgt Shaw’s departure,
we gave a warm welcome to Sgt Martin Leatherbarrow, who has come across from the LANCS but has settled in and is already a making positive impact.
Next year the Operations cycle will continue to provide varied and interesting challenges for Javelin Platoon, but the professionalism, good humour and team- spirit within the platoon leaves me in no doubt that the soldiers will continue to excel and draw recognition from everywhere we go.
continue to excel and draw praise even from outside the Battalion.
The deployment
to BATUS saw us attached to the
Kings Royal Hussars Battlegroup, who don’t usually employ Javelin.
...Javelin continue to draw praise outside the
Platoon excel and even from Battalion.
mean feat for such a harsh and unfamiliar environment; special mention must go to Cpl Hoyte, acting as the Platoon Tech Sgt, who was instrumental in keeping our fleet effective to the
end. Also of note
At rest in the shade / Oman / Sep 18
Javelin Platoon on Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 / Oman / Sep 18
Pl Comd Capt Reece Courtney
Platoon 2IC WO2 John Hough
Section Commanders:
Sgt Stuart Crawford,
Sgt Martin Keaveny,
Sgt Martin Leatherbarrow
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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