Page 28 - Mercian Eagle Year of 2023

DRAGON (Fire Support) Company
OC – Maj A Pattison
2IC – Capt J Werrett
CSM- WO2 R Joynes CQMS(M) – CSgt M Bourne CQMS(T) – CSgt M Keaveny
On my arrival to DRAGON Company in May 2023, I was hugely impressed to find
a swept up, highly capable Company of 200 soldiers freshly buoyed from a recent successful deployment to Ex IRON STORM as Task Force Hannibal (TFH) (OPFOR)
in Germany. My predecessor Maj Steve Broadhurst, his 2IC Capt Dean Davenport and CSM WO2 Luke Mason had rebuilt
the Company following Op CABRIT 8
and left it in the finest of states ready for
its focus to switch to preparation for Op LINOTYPER (Poland 2024) and Op CABRIT 16 (Estonia 2025). Yet the Company need not have worried about the departure
of such a successful Command team,
for it simultaneously gained Capt Wes Werrett and WO2 Richard Joynes both of whom, have a meticulous eye for detail
and unrivalled ability to keep the OC in check. The company was fortunate to have continuity and vast experience within both CQMS departments.
As a late arrival to the Company, I will leave the majority of this annual update to the Platoon Commanders. I will however highlight a few notable events.
EX WESSEX STORM. The Company was invited on Ex WESSEX STORM to take
OC and CSM DRAGON briefing the Colonel in Chief
part in the exercise as a TFH Armoured Infantry Company. The exercise offered
the Company an opportunity to deploy onto Salisbury Plain Training Area and hone its armoured skills against the SCOTS DG Battlegroup. The Company deployed in good order and successfully managed to unhinge the SCOTS DG with little to no resistance being put up by BLUEFOR.
HRH Visit. The Company had the great honour to play a starring role in the visit of the Regiment’s new Colonel in Chief, HRH The Prince of Wales. Sgt Kirton delivered an outstanding set of section orders followed by an excellent section
attack demonstration and Sgt Hoyte gave the Colonel in Chief a long overdue first introduction to Warrior, which included HRH commanding the platform and engaging enemy vehicles using TES.
As we approach Christmas the Company is fast approaching Ex DRAGON RITE, an arduous heavy carry event that will see
the platoons earning their DRAGON flash following a 40KG endurance march. The next 12 months look to be another busy period for the Company, but I have no doubt that DRAGON will continue to deliver in spades on all assigned tasks with character and the utmost professionalism.
DRAGON attack demonstration with HRH in the Earl of Chester Warrior
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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