Page 32 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

OC Maj JH Skillen 2IC (OC Mortar Pl)
Capt DSW Hadland CSM WO2 T Humber
CQMS CSgt L Hollingworth
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In terms of offensive spirit the platoons were congratulated on maintaining the aggressive nature of the Company but also judged
the balance of integration and Counter- Insurgency to perfection.
Our training in Otterburn on the dismounted CALFEX improved our confidence in compound clearance and live firing, so by the last test, the FTX, the Company were professional and confident without getting complacent.
Mission Specific Training is at times challenging and tiring, especially to the troops on the ground, but from a platoon commander’s perspective every element is vital and the skills and drills that everybody must develop have been tried, tested and proven to save lives. Commander 20 Brigade joked that Herrick 15 will probably be a lot less tiring than MST. However without the training we just wouldn’t know where to start and over the next 6 months we’ll be glad we made our mistakes on exercise and learnt the lessons then. It’s now time for the reality of operations and C Company is trained, ready and eager to deploy.
7 Platoon enjoying the Kenyan sunshine, Oct 2010
D (Fire Support) Coy
The past year has proven to be fast paced and a disparate one for D (Fire Support) Company encompassing both Hybrid Foundation Training (HFT) and Mission Specific Training (MST) in preparation for Op HERRICK 15. The company has acquitted itself extremely well and has maintained
its professionalism, purpose and that
Fire Support Company sense of humour, whilst enduring numerous re-orbats, much upheaval and a certain amount of hardship.
The company deployed to Kenya in Sep 10 on Ex ASKARI THUNDER and were split into numerous distinct groupings; a strong ISTAR group; Recce Platoon augmented
by Fire Support Group (FSG) elements, the remainder of the FSGs being integrated
into the Rifle Coys, and the Mortar Platoon providing Offensive Support throughout
the exercise. The exercise proved to be extremely demanding but allowed the Battle Group to shake out into its operational laydown and also allowed the Company
to prove its worth as an invaluable organic Fire Support asset. The training opportunity presented by this exercise was priceless and ensured that all in the company were stretched to their fullest. When the hard work was complete, the Company were allowed to play hard too with numerous adventurous training activities on offer.
On return from Kenya the focus switched very rapidly to MST and the long build up to deploying on Op HERRICK 15. The period between Nov 10 and Mar 11 was dedicated to providing the men in the Company with the vital individual skills required to ensure success on ops. The main focus was ensuring that the company had sufficient
numbers of drivers for the new breed of Urgent Operational Requirement vehicles; namely JACKAL for D company. This
is no easy task considering the intense training required to get the men up to the standard to drive safely amongst the Afghan population in such large vehicles. This battle is still yet to be won but we will continue to fight that battle until we reach the Line of Departure.
Another vital set of skills all soldiers were taught and continually revised on were the ‘new basics’, those essential skills required by all soldiers to ensure that they are able to operate safely in Helmand. It was vital that we knew how to counter the IED threat as well as being able
- congratulations to Capt Bowers and CSgt Roberts for managing to endure many a cold day on the ranges at Magilligan.
Whilst ensuring that each of their men were gaining vital operational skills, the Platoons were also gaining niche skill
sets that would enable them to provide their specialist fire support capability. The Mortars have carried out numerous dry and live exercises to ensure they are validated ready for ops. At the same time the FSGs have been ensuring that they have qualified
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
to protect ourselves
whilst still showing the
offensive spirit needed
to ruthlessly pursue
the insurgent. It is also
extremely important
that we understood
the people that we are
deploying to protect so that we may interact and gain their support and confidence; a battle winning condition for the current fight.
The Company again ‘stepped up to the plate’ showing its expertise and value by providing the rump of the vehicle crew training team responsible for training force elements across the Brigade - well done to WO2 Pugsley, CSgt Kennedy, Sgt Pollitt and Cpl Atherton. The Company also provided the Heavy Weapon training and live firing capability to ensure the Battalion had trained sufficient HMG/GMG Gunners to fulfil this vital role when on ops
their men on all of
the weapon systems that they would be expected to fire. This training includes the HMG, GMG, GPMG and JAVELIN and delivers some of the most qualified soldiers
in the Battalion. The recce Platoon has been developing their surveillance skills; a number of soldiers are now trained to setup unmanned ground sensor systems, several others are base ISTAR operators, whilst others provide the Ground Sign Awareness expertise for the Battalion. Finally the Snipers have carried out a concentration to hone their skills as covert but deadly shots up to 1000m, continuing to provide a crucial ISTAR function.
During the summer months the Battalion have been focussed on collective training; the Company elements have completed a
When the hard work was complete, the Company were allowed to play hard too