Page 50 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

3 Platoon
3 Platoon A GRENADIER Company received news of their deployment
to Afghanistan on their return from
Ex WESSEX STORM amidst the Battalion’s move from Chester to the sunny climbs
of Cyprus. Within a week they were hard
at work in Lydd, South East England conducting the mission-specific training that would ensure they were fully prepared for their future deployment.
3 Platoon were part of the 126 men of
2 MERCIAN that supported Britain’s uplift to troops on Operations in Kabul, deploying on the 22nd July this year. They were to
be based out of Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in North Kabul and worked independently from the rest of the Battalion, alongside platoons from the Welsh Guards No 3 Company.
The Platoon’s task was to provide Guardian Angels to the Coalition Advisory Team, as they mentored the Afghan Air Force. They worked alongside similar protection teams from the Swedish, American and Australian Army and protected mentors from across forty-one nations, that make up the Coalition in Kabul.
When the platoon first arrived, they were met by their counterparts, an American National Guard Company from Texas. This was an interesting time for the platoon, that was quick to integrate and learn from their U.S. peers and soon the two nations were deploying together on patrol.
MERCIANS on Patrol
Platoon kitted up before commencing their Guardian Angel tasks for the day, with the flags of their hometowns
The Guardian Angel role was an interesting task and one that required tailoring the boys infantry skill sets to
meet the unique requirements of the task at hand. Their day job involved two-man teams providing intimate security to a mentor, throughout their meeting within the Air Force Base. These teams were often commanded by a Private soldier and the Platoon responded well to the challenge, developing what they had learned and making the role their own.
Afghanistan provided a fantastic opportunity for individuals to prove themselves. It saw many Privates rising
to the challenge and taking on the responsibility of Patrol Commander to great effect. Cpl Harper, acting Platoon Sergeant, was awarded the ‘Commander British Forces Commendation’ for his invaluable contribution not only to 3 Platoon but his involvement with The Welsh Guards and Coalition forces. Two Private soldiers worthy of particular mention were Pte Green and Pte Salt who provided a vital contribution, stepped up to the role of Section 2IC for the duration of the tour.
When not on patrol, the boys made the most of what HKIA had to offer. Primarily this entailed sport and fitness, competing
with other nations in a number of different guises. LCpl Galbraith provided a regular training program, making use of the outdoor gym, where they could make the most of the good weather Afghanistan had to offer. They also relished weekly football fixtures against the Greeks, Turkish and more significantly an undefeated record against the Welsh Guards.
Four members of the platoon; Cpl Harper, LCpl Edwards, LCpl Hinkley and LCpl Galbraith competed in a traditional Danish military competition called DANCON. This saw 260 competitors from across the coalition compete in a 13km weighted run around the compound and ended with three of the platoons finishing in the top ten.
By the end of the tour the platoon had conducted over a thousand Guardian Angel patrols and provided an invaluable asset to the development of the Afghan Air Force. The last weeks of the tour entailed handing over the platoon’s duties to soldiers from both 1 Royal Gurka Rifle’s and 3 Parachute Regiment, to continue Britain’s commitment in Afghanistan. The boys returned to Cyprus in late October, looking forward to a well- deserved Christmas with their families both in the UK and Cyprus.
US & MERCIAN Soldiers During their Hand-over of their Guardian Angel Role
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