Page 48 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

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A (Grenadier) Company
Company Overview – Major M J Brigham MBE
The last twelve months for A (Grenadier) Company have been dominated by operational commitments in South Sudan, Afghanistan and currently Cyprus. These commitments come with the usual training requirements, which most notably included the Grenadiers deploying on exercise WESSEX STORM attached to the Royal Irish Battlegroup.
The first of these commitments to
South Sudan saw the company deploy autonomously on Op TRENTON. Op TRENTON is the British support mission
to the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMSS). UNMSS consists of c.17,000 peacekeepers from countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ghana, India, Mongolia and Uganda. The UK contingent was based out of the UN camps in Malakal and Bentui. The Grenadiers provided the Force Protection from the
UN Camps to facilitate the building, repair and maintenance of key infrastructure in support of the UNMSS objective of enabling enduring peace and security in South Sudan.
On return from Op TRENTON the Grenadiers deployed on Ex FROSTED GRENADIER and subsequently began training to meet the requirements to deploy to Cyprus to assume the Regional Standby Battalion (RSB) commitment. The training included the requirement to validate to CT2. This saw the
Only 43 of the Grenadiers deployed on Exercise WESSEX STORM due to other commitments and battalion manning. Mission one of WESSEX STORM saw
the Grenadiers conduct a gruelling 28hr Advance to Contact against an OPFOR nearly half the size of the company. Many
of the company stated it was the most challenging day of their lives, much to the delight of the Observer Mentor and Exercise Director, namely Major Alex Burgess and
Lt Col Shove Gilby. The exercise continued in a similar fashion, however the Grenadiers went from strength to strength, resulting being awarded a Field Training Unit Commendation for best sub-unit.
Orders on Ex WESSEX STORM
Immediately after exercise WESSEX STORM the Grenadiers were due to deploy on a long-awaited summer leave. Four
days in and 37 of the company were called back from leave to deploy to OP TORAL (Afghanistan) to relieve a US National
Guard unit as a part of the UK’s increased commitment to support the Government
of Afghanistan. The deployment saw
the Grenadiers working alongside the Mongolian Army to train and facilitate the Force Protection and escort of Military, Non- Government Organisation and Government officials that are working to ensure lasting peace and prosperity for Afghanistan.
Op TRENTON Medal
Grenadiers deploy on numerous exercises including Public Order (PO) training in Lydd and a final validation deployment on exercise WESSEX STORM on Salisbury plain.
Op TRENTON Peace Keeping
The deployment saw the Grenadiers working alongside the Mongolian Army...
During the tour Cpl Harper was awarded a two-star commendation and Ptes Goodwin
and Hawkesford were both awarded a one- star commendation
for their exemplarily professionalism.
Op WESSEX STORM – Planning and Orders
Op TORAL working alongside
the Mongolian Army
On return from Op TORAL and Post Operational Tour Leave, the Grenadiers joined the battalion in Cyprus and assumed the operational commitment to protect
key infrastructure of strategic national importance. The next twelve months for the Grenaiders promises stability and operational commitments whilst living
and working in the Mediterranean. The Grenadiers are relishing this opportunity to work and live in Cyprus and 2019 promises to be an exciting and memorable year.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE