Page 24 - Mercian Eagle Year of 2023

6 Platoon
Pl Comd Pl Sgt WR Sgt
2Lt Charles Gray Sgt Sam Jeavons Sgt Jason Evans
In early 2023, 6 Platoon deployed to Germany on EX IRON FIRE supporting the RTR battlegroup as simulated T90 tanks
in an attempt to beat the RTR at their own game. With the dismounts deployed within the other platoons the crews of 6 Platoon got to work and gave the RTR a good thrashing and provided a realistic and capable enemy armoured force. A special mention goes to Sgt Evans (6Pl Wr Sgt) who made short work of the RTR recce troop within the opening minutes of the final action of the exercise.
On return from Germany the preparation for EX AURORA 23 in Sweden began and 6 Platoons own Pte Moore and Martin deployed on their JNCO cadre, both now having successfully passed and awaiting promotion to LCpl. Summer then saw
the Company return to Germany, this
time as ‘Task Force Hannibal’ (enemy or opposing force) for the Royal Welsh battle group. 6 Platoon proved once again to
be the unit of choice
leading the charge on
company attacks and
conducting audacious
raids on Battlegroup
HQ.
Meanwhile in Brecon...
Over the past year
five aspiring Mercian
Officers have attended
the revered Infantry
Battle School in
Brecon. 2Lt Dulson completed the final iteration of the original course back in Spring before 2Lts Sherwood (an exquisite name for a Mercian officer), Price and Gray stepped forward onto the newly ‘optimised’ course over summer, paving the way for 2Lt Debonaire (an unlikely name for a Mercian officer). The Platoon Commanders
Capt Bough provides young officers with gentle encouragement on the notorious Brecon ‘3 miler’
Battle Course (PCBC) is a rite of passage for every aspiring infantry platoon commander where their mental and physical robustness are put to the test. Optimisation of the course took on many forms, however
the most prominent changes are as follows. Firstly the course has become modular, breaking
down into Combined Arms Manoeuvre, manoeuvrability, survivability and lethality, culminating with a summative final exercise renamed ‘Combined Warrior.’ For the final exercise platoons are now formed from all three
Brecon courses (PCBC (aspiring Platoon Commanders), PSBC (aspiring Platoon Sergeants), and SCBC (aspiring Section Commanders), and there has been a marked shift towards combined arms manoeuvre with wider training on the assets and tactics applicable within a battlegroup context.
LCpl Wilson desperately tries to find the nearest portaloo in Sweden
Throughout the course the junior Mercian Officers came under additional scrutiny under the watchful eye of the heavily represented Mercian DS: namely Capt Bough, WO2 (DSM) Peake and CSgt Crease - all of whom represented the regiment to the highest standards and added significant value to the bayonet lane.
On completion of Combined Warrior there was little time for rest as platoons prepared for Ex FAN DANCE; a 20km tab over Pen
y Fan with full platoon kit and weapon systems. Three Mercians were among
the winning Platoon, 2Lt Gray (B Coy), Cpl Blakemore (Recce) and LCpl Walker (Recce).
For the final exercise platoons are now formed from all three Brecon courses
6 Platoon, B (Malta) Coy 1 MERCIAN in Sweden 2023
2Lt Gray emerges from the smoke in Brecon
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
23