Page 14 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

Fire Support Group By Capts R March and J Sugden
January 2011 saw the merger of the Javelin and Machine Guns Platoon into the newly titled Fire Support Group (FSG). The fallout from this has meant the men now have several weapon systems to master which include GPMG (SF), HMG, GMG and Javelin; certainly no small feat, especially when the size of the FSG is equivalent to some of the rifle companies.
Our creation also coincided with the new FSG Commanders’ course, which is run at the Support Weapons School of the Land Warfare Centre, at Warminster. Similarly, the course was an amalgamation of the
Javelin and Machine Guns courses. Capt
Sugden found himself on the first FSG
course and returned at the end of April with
a wealth of FSG knowledge!
It has been a busy number of months for the FSG. We’ve found ourselves spread to the four winds with RAAT tasks, boxing, weapons displays, drums displays, rugby matches and a selection cadre.
March saw the beginning of Battalion
Boxing, with a number of fighters coming
from the FSG, including Sgt Varley as
head coach. This month also saw the
announcement of the Operational Honours and Awards
list. Cpl Ward was awarded the Military Cross, Pte Hellings the Queen’s Gallantry Medal and LCpl Haag the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service – a very proud moment for both the FSG and Support Company.
As we moved into April, the boxing training intensified and then concluded with the Inter Company Boxing Match. Cpl Wood and Pte Weir won their bouts and are a testament to themselves and the dedication to their training.
May was a particularly busy month with a rugby tour to Warrington Wolves, headed by WO2 McCauley and Sgt Carr. Capt March and LCpl Warsap headed down to Warminster to begin the arduous FSG course. The FSG also saw an influx of fresh blood after an internal selection cadre took place to identify new candidates for their relevant roles within Support Company and the FSG.
Again we found ourselves particularly busy in June. The first couple of weeks were dominated by our preparation for
We’ve found ourselves spread to the four winds with RAAT tasks, boxing, weapons displays, drums displays, rugby matches and a selection cadre
a Drums and weapons display at the East Midlands OTC and the Bowyers Dinner
in London. Both were received well and were a testament to those who took part and their professionalism The FSG also welcomed Sgt Billows and Sgt Hough to the FSG who brought their rifle company experience and expertise to the FSG.
After such a busy few months, we welcomed summer leave with open
arms in July. On returning, we deployed to Otterburn to conduct a live firing package which was the FSG’s first run out as an entity and provided an excellent
opportunity to both fully qualify on our weapons systems and gain valuable experience in their employment.
All in all it has been a hectic but satisfying period for the FSG. We now look forward to being employed in a tactical role in Kenya in January 2012 in preparation for MST and the Battalion’s subsequent deployment on Op Herrick 17.
12
Mortar Platoon By Capt R Sawyer
HERRICK 12 provided the mortar Platoon with many different experiences. The Platoon was spread over 4 AOs, including Nahr-E-Saraj and Sangin, and the members of the Platoon were tasked in a variety of roles. Not only did the Platoon operate
in the traditional manner, providing fire support for the troops on the ground, but they also did a lot of foot patrolling. The Mortar Platoon also provided a section,
led by LCpl Morrish, that was trained and deployed as an All Arms Search Team,
and was invariably at the sharp end of C Company’s operations. The Platoon turned in a great performance in many different aspects, none more so than Mortarman LCpl Redford who was awarded the
Military Cross for valour on the deployment. Another example of individual excellence came from Pte Sephton, whose brilliant and fearless ability saved the life of those around him on more than one occasion. Tragically, Pte Sephton was killed on a clearance operation in Nahr-E-Saraj. His bravery and selfless commitment will not be forgotten.
Following HERRICK 12, the Platoon is going through a transitional phase. WO2 Vickery has been drafted in to replace the mortaring legend WO2 ‘Mo’ Morley who has left for a training post in Brunei; the Platoon wish him good luck in his new adventures. An internal selection process has taken place to identify soldiers across
Pte Sephton (Centre) as part of the Mor Pl in the Falklands
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
the Battalion looking for a new challenge. This, along with a Mortars’ Numbers cadre, has unearthed some promising new talent. In addition to this, an Executives Cadre has taken place to develop the skills of the existing Mortarmen; they too have readily grasped this responsibility. Two weeks of live firing in Otterburn has
helped the Platoon establish itself and has gone a long way to ensure the Platoon is ready for Hybrid Foundation Training on Ex Askari Thunder in Kenya next year. This will provide a great opportunity to further develop the Platoon’s operational capability and mortaring prowess.