Page 35 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

MT Platoon
If 2017 was a busy year for Motor Transport Platoon (MT Pl) and the Battalion as a whole, then 2018 proved to increase in tempo. The year started with members
of the Pl deploying overseas to far flung destinations such as Canada (BATUS) (Pte Mitti; Winter Maintenance) and Cyprus (Pte Kenny in support Kings Divisional Training Team, before deploying swiftly to BATUS to support A Coy).
The remainder of the Platoon were
not resting on their laurels in Bulford but conducting tasks such as a full programme of Driver Training in support of the Battalion gunnery camp in Castlemartin and assisting the Companies on various training tasks across the length and breadth of Salisbury Plain.
The main focus for the year was preparation and deployment on Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 to Oman. This saw the Platoon fulfil a multitude of tasks ranging from the breakout of the B fleet from Aschurch
and collection of platforms (vehicles) from numerous other units around the UK. Prior to deployment, a centralisation and maintenance programme was undertaken and on completion the platforms were driven to Marchwood port prior to embarkation. In what is possibly a first, no vehicles broke down en route!
The Platoon deployed to Oman at the end of August in good order, leaving a small team back in Bulford to facilitate the Rear Operations Group (ROG) under the capable
While deployed, the Platoon was heavily involved in ensuring that the vehicle fleet was road-worthy...
Cpl Kaucha, Pte Inegbedion / Even in the desert there is no excuse for long hair, Cpl Kaucha is showing Pte Inegbedion how to do it “Toni and Guy style” / Oman / Sep 18
Vehicle Maintenance in Duqm port / Oman / Oct 18
direction of Sgt Haywood, the MT Platoon Sgt.
While deployed, the Platoon was heavily involved in ensuring that the vehicle fleet was road-worthy, which in temperatures that regularly reached 45 degrees was
no mean feat. The Platoon was largely deployed within A1 Echelon, with Pte Cook seconded to drive the Commanding
Officer’s Warrior; no pressure! The exercise ran smoothly, and the cohesive attitude
of the unit was a contributing factor, with soldiers gaining much needed experience and new-found driving experience in the difficult desert conditions. The whole Platoon enjoyed a well-deserved (and extremely well ran) Adventure training (AT) package half way through the deployment.
On recovery back to the UK after a long 3 months away, the Platoon returned to Bulford just in time for Christmas week, vehicle recovery from Marchwood and Christmas leave. 2019 promises to be a busy yet enjoyable year, in the same vein as the previous successful training year for MT Platoon.
We said Goodbye to:
WO2 Bartle – who left the Regular Army after 24 years’ service to be a MTWO with the Reserves (FTRS) at 77 Bde.
Cpl Bray – was posted to 2 MERCIAN in sunny Cyprus.
LCpl Pearce – who left the Army and we wish him good luck in civilian life.
Posted into the Platoon:
WO2 Buck – from B Coy
Cpl Grey – from ACC Worcester.
Cpl Kaucha – from A Coy
Cpl Gurung – from LWC at Warminster
Capt Long / The MTO wasn’t racing a camel in his Land Rover, Honest!!! / Oman / Aug 18
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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