Page 30 - Mercian Eagle Year of 2023

Recce Platoon, Counter Explosive Ordinance Drills
Recce Platoon
Over the past 12 months, the Recce Platoon has undertaken a series of significant deployments, showcasing their proficiency and adaptability. They deployed to Germany as Task Force Hannibal (TFH) and faced the challenges of a two-week Light Role Exercise in Dartmoor.
Deploying as TFH demonstrated the platoon’s operational readiness and effectiveness using the Warrior IFV. Their performance earned them recognition
for their precision and expertise and provided a suitable test to ready the Fusilier Battlegroup for their future deployments.
Dartmoor proved to be an arduous Light
Role Exercise that tested the Platoon’s capabilities in rugged terrain, highlighting their mastery of light role infantry tactics and determination to succeed. A notable achievement was securing a silver medal on CAMBRIAN PATROL 23, a renowned military competition known for its
rigorous challenges. This accomplishment underscores the Platoon’s dedication to excellence and composure under pressure.
Finally, the Platoon hosted the Saudi CAMBRIAN PATROL team, led by a Prince, exhibiting professionalism and diplomatic skills and affirming their capacity to handle high-profile events with grace.
The Recce Platoon’s accomplishments
in the past year reflect their steadfast commitment to operational excellence and adaptability. Their achievements resonate not only within their unit but also across the broader military community.
OC Capt G Williams 2IC CSgt A Sanganoo
Assault Pioneers
In Feb of 2023 1 MERCIAN Assault Pioneer Platoon deployed to Swynnerton and trained in all Assault Pioneer capabilities such as mine clearance, defences,
route denial through abatis, fighting
in built up areas, explosive and non- explosive methods of entry. The Platoon demonstrated the benefits of a well- trained cohesive fighting unit. The Platoon benefited greatly from this experience; being able to train in all aspects of our job role really developed the whole Platoon.
During the summer of 2023, the Assault Pioneer Platoon has been heavily involved on Ex CABRIT TEMPEST in Germany as part of Task Force Hannibal to support the Battalion effort.
Throughout the year we have had 2 Private soldiers, now LCpls Allwood Kislak, successfully attend a JNCO promotion course and represented the Platoon and Battalion with pride demonstrating the class of soldier here at 1 MERCIAN.
During this extremely busy period the Assault Pioneer Platoon has maintained its operational effectiveness through all ranks attending multiple role-specific training throughout the year such as
Boat Operators, Chainsaw Operative, Locksmiths and Plant Machinery Operator which brings even more capabilities online for the Platoon and enhances the Battalion as a whole.
We welcomed our 2 MERCIAN Assault Pioneer colleagues to the Platoon in September 22 with the amalgamation of both 1 and 2 MERCIAN.
Corporal (“CQBI I’ve done Brecon”) Ross attended the Assault Pioneer Platoon
Assault Pioneers FIWAF Training
Sergeant course where he received the top student award and has subsequently promoted to Sgt and joined our brothers the Fusiliers. Well done Sgt Ross.
Finally, the Platoon has had to say goodbye to Cpl Taylor and Cpl Green who have moved on due to promotion to C and B Coys respectively.
Pioneer Sgt Sgt A Kelly Pioneer 2IC Cpl J Ross
Sniper Platoon
Following the amalgamation, the 1 MERCIAN Sniper Platoon have got 3 troops on the Rifles SOC (Sniper Operators’ Course) and are sponsoring and delivering the 12X SOC again which should allow the qualification of six more snipers in the Bn and twenty into the wider Brigade, this will be brilliant for forging and increasing the capability in the Army.
This year saw Sniper Platoon return from many and various tasks including the International Shooting Competition (ISC) held in the US. Build up training consisted of the Platoon deploying to Otterburn Ranges, this offered an excellent opportunity to partake in a live fire package building from the basics of marksmanship all the way to loophole shooting. Whilst the main effort was improving the shooting ability, there was also a large emphasis on the improvement of the spotter skills and overall coaching ability within the Platoon.
A lot of the year has seen deployments to Germany which was an excellent opportunity and the Platoon worked hard to build on the skills required to deploy as part of an armoured or light role unit. The troops enjoyed varied and engaging training in a different environment, particularly navigation and observation, whilst also looking to increase and expand on the infantry core skills such as FIWAF and OBUA.
Sniper Stalk
2023 has seen a push for qualifications from ammo tech to Warrior drivers and commanders. 1 MERCIAN will have secured and qualified two Sniper Section Commanders for the first time since 2017 and, by the time this is published, two Quad Instructors.
Finally, always setting an example within the Platoon, Sniper
Pl would again congratulate Sgt REDACTED, Cpls REDACTED, REDACTED, and LCpl REDACTED on their promotions and hope to see them back again in the Pl in the future.
“Consistency is accuracy”
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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