Page 33 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

mounted and dismounted Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise, a confirmatory Field Exercise and the Final Training Exercise, whilst the command and control element completed CAST and CATT. This has allowed the Company to sharpen their skills in a collective training environment whilst allowing them to integrate fully with the force elements that they will deploy with and operate alongside. All in all the Company are in extremely good shape and have placed themselves in the best position to ensure a safe and successful tour.
The Company will deploy on Op HERRICK 15 in Sep 11. The tour promises to be an enlightening experience for all, for many soldiers this will be their first tour but equally for many this is the third tour in 5 years. This tour is sure to be different from previous ones in terms of the on-going development in Afghanistan, but there
will be the same frustrations and same hardships as tours gone by. The Company will split into three support groups, each
encompassing FSG, Recce and Snipers, which will be integrated within each of the Ground Holding Company Groups. The Mortars will provide two sections and three MFC pairs that will be integrated into each of the FSTs. The company are determined to do well and the men
key personnel; the Company says goodbye to Maj Grant and Maj Anning, both OCs who have moved to pastures new. We wish them both every success and good luck in their new posts. Capt Lygo has moved to Adjutant from FSG Commander and Capt
are now eager to get on and carry out the task that they have worked so hard to prepare for during the past nine months.
the Company are in extremely good shape
Brown has been posted to IBS Brecon having relinquished command of Recce and they
have been replaced by Capt Williams and Capt Bell respectively to whom we extend a
Fire Support Groups by WO2 Pugsley and CSgt Roberts
With the formation of the Fire Support Groups (FSGs) from the Javelin and Machine Gun Platoons we hit the ground running in all respects; new skills have had to be learned by all from the very top all the way to the bottom. The FSGs have now been renamed; for the duration of
the forthcoming tour they are now called
Javelin Perspective
With the onset of Autumn 2010 we saw the Javelin Platoon amalgamated with
the Machine Gun Platoon to form the
Fire Support Group (FSG) Platoon. The Javelin role within the Pl is to provide an all weather day and night thermal capability to the respective Rifle Companies they are attached to.
Exercise ASKARI THUNDER 3 was the first opportunity that the Pl had to come together and stretch our legs in the new role. The thermal sight proved to be very valuable to the Rifle Companies as they moved through their battle runs, being able to see any thermal signatures out to a distance of 2.5 kms. With the intensity of Op HERRICK 10 a distant memory, Kenya gave us the opportunity to gain a fresh sense of providing fire support for the Rifle Companies. This was, for many newer members of the Pl, the first chance they had to hone their new found skills.
2011 began after a welcome spell of leave, with new found focus and vigour of preparation for the forthcoming operational tour. An impressive programme of training and lessons commenced, including time spent on the Indoor Trainer, cross training on all the new weapon systems we had acquired as well lots of Mission Specific Training courses including driving and
also crew training. In February we had
the honour of welcoming HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall
Manoeuvre Support Groups (MSGs), but will go back to FSGs after the tour.
We have seen old personalities leave: Capt Lygo now Adjutant and WO2 Aley now B Coy CSM; we wish them well with their new jobs. At the same time Captains Bowers and Williams have both been attached to 2 RIFLES for the duration of Op HERRICK 15.
to Palace Barracks. This was a fantastic opportunity for the FSGs to get out all of
the weapons we had trained on and also to show the remainder of the Bn what we were all about.
The approach of summer saw us able to bring all our hard work together as we faced various exercises and also live firing opportunities. During live firing the Javelin element of the Pl went to Castlemartin ranges in Wales where we were able to see the effects the weapon system had on various targets from 150 – 2500m. Thanks to LCpl Jess we were also blessed with the opportunity to see the process of
the disposal method of a Javelin
missile that malfunctions; a
situation that everyone found amusing except LCpl Jess!
The eventual culmination of this year’s hard work came in the form of the Final Training Exercise on Salisbury Plain, working with our respective Companies. This was the final run out to show that all the hard work put in by the Platoon has been well worth the effort. We then embarked on some well earned summer
Looking ahead,
following Op HERRICK 15 the Company will reform and will concentrate on re- generating the fire support capability by carrying out cadres and ensuring that all soldiers who join the Company are trained to fulfil their chosen role. It therefore looks as though the next year is as likely to be as busy as this but we shall have to make room for some fun!
As ever, every year brings a change in
warm welcome. We also say farewell to the Company Sergeant Major WO2 Marks, a Fire Support Company stalwart who is now enjoying ‘civvy street’, and the Mortar 2IC WO2 Johnson. The Company Sergeant Major was briefly replaced by WO2 Lougher who has since moved to C Company and now WO2 Humber has taken the mantle. We also welcome back WO2 Barnett as Mortar 2IC.
Manoeuvre Support Group Commanders:
WO2 Pugsley
CSgt Roberts
Sgt Edwards
leave before Afghanistan.
deploying to
FSG JAVELIN Sp to A Coy Asslt SILVER Cpl Woodhouse
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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