Page 5 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

Thank you for your efforts this past year. From where I stand, and from what I see and hear, I am of the very firm view that our Regiment
is in great shape. We have seized every opportunity to develop our warfighting edge and enhanced our reputation as a Regiment with the agility to turn its hand to any task with steadfast endeavour. We should take pride in the understated way in which the Regiment has achieved
so much. It is noted at the highest echelons that we can be trusted to get things done without fuss or fanfare; and results matter!
We have made significant
progress in establishing our place
in the reformed King’s Division. We
have been quick to form a cohesive, forward-looking division with our
sister regiments (LANCS and
YORKS) and are now well placed to maximise opportunity for all. I won’t
rehearse again the laydown of the
Division here as I know that most
understand the implicit opportunities
of roles and geography. It is however worth emphasising that 2 LANCS are now in the line as a Specialised Infantry Battalion offering an exciting opportunity to those seeking a different challenge.
I would like to highlight two of the
Regiment’s signature achievements this year.
The extremely short notice deployment of D
(Dragon) Company, 2nd Battalion, to Kabul
on Op TORAL reflected the very best of us.
The generation, training and deployment of
a company, amid a unit move from Chester
to Cyprus, speaks to our adaptability,
determination to seize opportunity and ability
to turn in a best of class performance. The decision to award the first sub unit level JFC Commander’s Commendation
to the Company was fitting testament to their hard work. I also recognise that the deployment would not have been possible without supremely proficient enabling work, at pace, across the rest of the Battalion and that those who remained in Cyprus were still required to deliver the on-island mission set. Secondly, the 1st Battalion Battle Group’s participation
in Ex SAIF SAREEA 3 in Oman allowed us to showcase our ability to deliver results in a multinational and joint context, and in challenging environmental conditions. The reports
of ‘distinct pleasure’ from the Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, should make us all very proud. His delight was based as much on the interactions of our soldiers with their Omani counterparts as it was on higher level engagements. Even an event as significant as SAIF SAREEA did not take
place in isolation; the Battalion
also deployed to train in Canada and prepared to deploy to Estonia in the same period. I would like to thank commanders at all levels for their efforts in achieving balance between seizing opportunity and maintaining periods of lower tempo such that our soldiers can achieve balance in their lives and maintain their resilience.
The Regiment has been at the forefront of Army innovation and training. The 1st Battalion took
the lead on Ex URBAN DAWN;
a ground-breaking event which sought to understand how we could fight better in the urban environment. The 2nd Battalion worked with PJHQ on Ex JOINT WARRIOR. The 4th Battalion also executed a high tempo programme. They have maintained a hugely productive training programme, supported both Regular battalions and done exceptional work in raising the Regiment’s profile across
our traditional homeland. They have also led our Regimental recruiting effort. I encourage all to lean in to this effort; every soldier we recruit or retain boosts our potential as a Regiment to enhance our reputation through excellence on operations and training.
It is great to see that sport and adventure training still feature prominently in regimental life. In addition to our more traditional activities I note the 1st Battalion’s Tug-of-War team’s achievement in coming runner-up at the Braemar Highland Games competing in front of Her Majesty the Queen. This together with strong Corps level performances in
boxing and swimming; and infantry-standard sportsmen participating in football, rugby & skiing shows that even when being pulled to all four corners of the world, the sporting talent we have within the regiment can be afforded the opportunity to exploit their potential.
The contents of the Mercian Eagle represent the Regiment’s many achievements. It is heartening to see the whole regimental family achieving such incredible things. Let us now exploit this excellent baseline and ‘go again’ to further enhance our position as a Regiment which can be trusted
to complete the most demanding tasks. Our soldiers are the best in the Army; let’s work hard to retain their commitment and offer as much support as possible to recruiting efforts. Thank you for your determined commitment – STAND FIRM STRIKE HARD!
Foreword
Major General Ian Cave Colonel of the Regiment
THE MERCIAN EAGLE 3