Page 6 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

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THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Foreword
By the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel PWC Kimber MBE
I write this foreword having just returned from a recce of Kenya in preparation for the Battalion’s upcoming deployment on Ex ASKARI THUNDER. The exercise, which is due to take place throughout the majority of January and February 2012, will be the culmination of the Battalion’s Adaptive Foundation Training. It should provide an extra-ordinary training opportunity which should set us up well for the next phase of Campaign FORM, Mission Specific Training for the Op HERRICK 17 deployment at the end of 2012.
This has been an extremely busy year
for the 1st Battalion. After a particularly bruising but extremely successful Op HERRICK 12 tour the Battalion returned with aspirations of recuperation and regeneration in preparation for future operations. However, after only a brief period of respite we were directed to prepare for a potential prison wardens’ strike. Without breaking step over 400 soldiers were trained in the various skills required to stand in for the prison wardens
if necessary. No strike took place but this set the precedent for a continued period of frenetic activity. RAAT, training support, CT1 training and driver training in preparation for HERRICK are but a few of the major training events the Battalion has been involved
in. BCiP 5.4 conversion was successfully completed, as was a Combined Inspection Week. We have also been the lead Battalion in 4 Brigade for the integration of the new FIST kit and the development of TTPs for night DCC. The Companies have made significant progress at developing their “night fighting” techniques, which should add a significant capability to our inventory for operations.
In order to allow the maximum attendance on Ex ASKARI THUNDER
and MST the Battalion also “front loaded” the maximum number of Ptes onto two PJNCO Cadres with significant success. Approximately forty new LCpls in the Battalion over the last five months speaks volumes for the hard work that many have put in, (some significantly earlier than
they would have expected!). The Pte soldiers were also busy with the Patterson Trophy, again with plenty of hard work and determination being demonstrated by all. Pte Lockett was the deserved winner; he now needs to get himself on a PJNCO Cadre!!
Over the last year the Battalion has also been recognised with: Two MBEs, two MCs, two QGMs, eight MiDs, a QCB and two QCVS were fitting recognition for a number of individuals but was also representative of the hard work from all in the Battalion during HERRICK 12. The Battalion also won the prestigious Sun
MILLIES award for the best unit and Cpl Ward became a household personality (albeit for a short period of time) when
he presented the FA Cup to the winners, Manchester City. In June over 300 members of the Battalion travelled to Edinburgh to watch the Battalion boxing team beat the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland on their own turf. We look forward to a return match in Catterick in December.
Over all this has been an extremely challenging and rewarding period. The Battalion has worked very hard and is now well placed for the even greater challenge of ASKARI THUNDER, MST and deployment next year!
1MERCIAN