Page 13 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

Support Company
By Maj C E Somers
Support – “To serve as a foundation for; to keep from weakening; to give strength to; to maintain. The definition is clear – the company exists to provide a solid foundation from which its rifle company counterparts can execute their missions, safe in the knowledge that, when required, a precise and devastating response will be delivered on request, on time and on target.”
The period since our last report has included the Battalion’s first tour of Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 12, the hardest tour that the Battalion has served on since the Second World War - a period encompassing extremes of all dimensions
- physical, emotional and spiritual. The company was divided between the 4 rifle companies to provide the intimate heavy weapons support that they would require
in Sangin, Babaji and the Upper Gereshk Valley. Recce Platoon went to B Coy, brought out of suspended animation at short notice, to be used in a rifle platoon role. Mortar Platoon went to support C and G Companies in FOB Rahim and FOB Khar Nikah respectively. Fire Support Platoon and Javelin Platoon formed Fire Support Groups (FSG) and went to all 4 locations along with the sniper pairs.
Of particular note, the Mortar Platoon adapted to the environment quickly and the MFCs and the mortar line in FOB Khar Nikah, run by WO2 Morley, took ownership of the battlespace. New Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) were adopted to interdict the insurgents’ infiltration and exfiltration routes and allowed the patrolling multiples
to concentrate on the job of interfacing with the local population. ‘The metal from the sky’ soon became a psychological weapon in itself as the insurgents knew how swift and deadly the fire from our barrels would be once they had launched an attack. Snipers, too, had a powerful psychological part to play in the battle. PB Zumbalay, under Capt Wheeler’s command, had an extremely
lethal deterrent in the form of Cpl Bobby Parker’s pair. The FSGs worked relentlessly throughout the tour and back-filled the rifle platoons during the periods of R&R – a useful and potent mix of experience, heavy weapons and mobility.
Unfortunately, there were to be some
tragic moments on the tour. CSgt ‘Bobby’ Horton, Cpl Harvey Holmes, LCpl Andy Breeze and Pte Tom Sephton were killed in action. All gave their lives trying to better the lives of the people of Afghanistan whilst providing security to those at home - selfless commitment embodied in each of them. They shared a common bond of identity, loyalty and responsibility for each member of their teams – a bond that is unwritten and unbreakable, and which
has sustained the Army throughout its history. The company has had a bench commissioned, in their memory, with each of their names engraved on brass plaques. We will remember them.
strong group consisting of 3 Patrols, each of 2 multiples with its own G4 support chain – the latter still an aspiration yet to
be realised. All members of the group are trained on all weapons systems including; HMG, GMG, GPMG, both in the light and SF roles, and Javelin. It allows flexibility and redundancy and packs a powerful punch within the rifle company group.
Recce and Snipers were amalgamated to offer a more focused degree of cross training and a structured command chain. Mortars went straight into the unforgiving RAAT tasks and the company had to focus its efforts on training for, amongst other things, the Inter-Company Boxing and Military Skills competitions – it represented itself admirably on both. It also set the bar in the Inter-Company sports event and retained the Winners title.
May brought a rebalancing of the Battalion’s manpower and a surge of new blood to the company. It offered the opportunity to run a selection cadre and
Reconnaissance/Sniper Platoon By Capt M Wheeler
The Recce platoon successfully completed its tour of Afghanistan during Op HERRICK 12 as part of B (Malta) Company. The tour was not without its costs both physically and mentally for the whole battalion but the platoon flourished in the harshest
of conditions and proved time and time again its ability and agility on the battlefield and was a cornerstone of the Company’s success in NES(S), Helmand Province.
2011 has seen a short period of recovery followed by reorganisation. The opportunity arose in June for Support Company to run a selection programme for those members
of the rifle companies who were scheduled to come across into a more specialised role. The selection programme was varied and designed to give an insight into the various roles performed by the Support Company platoons. The result of the selection is that the Recce platoon now welcomes several new members, all of who have now settled in well, and the platoon is looking strong.
We now move into a live firing phase followed by a Reconnaissance exercise in Otterburn. The Recce and Sniper platoons have shown their exceptional capabilities on Otterburn ranges with some complex
live firing scenarios culminating in a section level night attack using only NVDs. It seems fitting that it is Recce and Snipers who are the first platoons to achieve this
in 1 MERCIAN and we now look forward to developing our capabilities across the spectrum.
Looking forward, the platoon now has one eye on Op HERRICK 17 in late 2012 and more imminently Ex ASKARI THUNDER in the New Year. With this in mind the platoon continues to strive for excellence as the premier platoon in the battalion.
A by-product of our duty is the recognition of individual acts of gallantry and leadership by way of the Queen’s Operational Honours and Awards. Cpl Mark Ward and LCpl Alan Redford were both awarded a Military Cross for leadership in the face of the enemy. Pte Daniel Hellings was awarded a Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his efforts in rescuing
three Afghan National
Army soldiers in an
area seeded with IEDs.
Cpl John ‘Dan’ Dare
and LCpl Paul ‘Langy’
Langton received
Mentions in Dispatches
for their efforts - fitting
recognition of the
professionalism, bravery
and determination shown by each and every member of the Battalion.
January brought with it not only a new year but also a new start as the company reformed into its constituent parts. An examination of the new FSG orbat meant
a new grouping in the company and the Battalion. This merging of the Javelin and Fire Support Platoon established an 84-man
a chance for some ring-fenced specialist weapon training. Mortar Platoon ran both a Numbers and Executives Cadre, FSG began the Herculean task of training all
May brought a rebalancing of the Battalion’s manpower and a surge of new blood to the company
its personnel on all weapons systems in preparation for live firing set off on their long
OC
CSM
OC Mor Pl
OC Recce Pl
OC Javelin Pl
OC Sniper Pl
OC Fire Support Pl
Maj C E Somers WO2 S Davison Capt R Sawyer Capt M Wheeler Capt R March C/Sgt E Vezza Capt I Sugden
and Recce/Snipers
journey to becoming the unseen ‘eyes and ears’ of the Battalion. As we go to press the company is in a strong position – CT1(+) achieved (live section attack by both day and night (on FIST NVD only)), all specialist weapons’ annual weapons tests complete and ready for deployment on Ex ASKARI THUNDER in Kenya in January 2012.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
11