Page 33 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

CIS Platoon – Capt Johl
2018 – what a year for the mighty CIS Platoon! The challenges and opportunities faced by the team is one that will live long in our memories. We have seen a number of farewells and some excellent new additions to the Platoon HQ, including a handover of RSO from Captain Lambert to Captain Johl, a handover of RSWO from WO2 Rushton to WO2 Sweeting, a handover of BSM from CSgt Powell to CSgt Keane and the taking on of Tech Sergeant by Sgt Harrison. The end of the year has also seen the additions of Ptes Bebbington, Albiston and Palmer to the G6 team.
In addition, a big congratulations to LCpl Davis on his promotion and the recent birth of his son!
The year started out with the platoon honing its skills in HQ setup and management on a Battle Craft Syllabus exercise – good preparation for times to come. Following this, as a crucial Battalion supporting element, the platoon helped to enable both iterations of Exercise URBAN DAWN in Copehill Down Village on Salisbury Plain Training Area. April then saw Sgt Edge lead an honour guard at Menin Gate in Belgium; a great honour for members of the platoon.
The second half of 2018 saw the much-anticipated Exercise SAIF SAREEA 3 in the Middle East. Following a very successful Battlegroup simulation exercise in Warminster, the Platoon deployed out to Oman with the HQ element of the
(L-R) Sgt Edge, LCpl Shone, Pte Swindley, Pte Oakes / Oman / Oct 18
Battlegroup. CIS Platoon showed what
a diverse and multifunctional capability
it provides with soldiers and NCOs
taking on the roles of signallers, Bulldog drivers and commanders, Command NCOs, Watchkeepers and not to mention Headquarters builders! The desert
was an interesting yet testing place for communications, but like with any challenge CIS platoon faces, the soldiers showed gritted teeth and ensured the Battlegroup could communicate.
As 2018 draws to a close, we look forward to the challenges ahead in 2019; namely an army-wide CIS equipment uplift, the addition of new manpower and capability enhancement and support to major exercises and operations. SFSH
RSO: RSWO: BSM:
Pl Sgt: Tech Sgt
Capt Johl WO2 Sweeting CSgt Keane Sgt Edge
Sgt Harrison
CIS Platoon / Summit of Snowdon / Jul 18
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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