Page 61 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

C Company FSG (D55) Sgt Williams
D55 were deployed with C Company in
the Northern Upper Gereshk Valley at FOB Khar Nikah (KNK). We had a number of tasks within the Company group; our main role being mounted and dismounted FSG, along with re-supply to the outstations using the Jackals, supporting dismounted rifle sections on their patrols, mounted and dismounted QRF and mounted ground holding Patrols. The FSG along with Mortars built a Sanger called ‘The Dragons Eye’ on top of Sanger 4 in KNK. When KNK or any
of the numerous out stations came under contact, we would man The Dragons Eye with a Javelin Detachment, Sniper pair and an MFC, during the tour the FSG fired 11 missiles in defence of the outstations. We tailored our skills in line with operational requirements. One perk for the FSG was our trips to MOB PRICE, where we would escort the OC for his monthly conferences with the Danish. This gave us the chance for a hot shower, NAAFI run and the all important slushy. During the tour we also
got the chance to work closely with the 9/12 Lancers in CVR(T), and the SCOTS DG WARTHOG Group, with whom we carried out a number of mobile VCPs. We involved the ANA in one of our mobile VCPs, which they were very keen to do. However this proved to be very challenging, it would appear that mobile patrolling is not one of their strengths! The FSG helped maintain and service the Companies heavy weapons and also provided continuation training for all members of the Company Group.
A Company Mortar Detachment – PB Rahim
Mortar Platoon
After supporting 2 Prairie Thunders in BATUS and firing over £2m worth of ammunition, the Platoon arrived back in Germany needing some well earned leave and looking forward to the prospect of deploying on HERRICK 14, sadly with Capt Hickmott leaving the Platoon for a warmer climate for 3 months. After returning
back from leave, eyes were firmly set on preparations for Afghanistan. We were shocked to learn that only a handful of the Platoon would be deploying in support of B Coy, which would only be the executives. The remainder of the Platoon was ear marked to back fill the Rifle Companies and Capt Hickmott, along with CSgt Flint, were to deploy as Advisors to the ANA.
The start of PDT saw a long road move to sunny Kent, to start the forthcoming range packages. It was during PDT sitting in the back of a Land Rover, that we were told Mortars were now to provide Mortars to both A and C Coys. The first impression was of a massive training gap in order to get the Platoon ready for deployment, but in good old fashioned Mortar tradition, we put our heads down and got stuck in. In addition we had to send JNCOs on the Mortar Standard Course, after which they would deploy only 3 weeks after completing the course. The Platoon was now split across all three Rifle Companies and the Brigade Advisory Group, all deploying at different times.
Smart as well as lethal – 3 MERCIAN Mortar Pl
A Company Mortars deployed at the end of March 2011, to PB Rahim and this was, as far as the guys were concerned, fairly comfortable and also included WIFI towards the end of the tour. It didn’t take long for Mortars to be brought into action with Cpl Massey being the first to call in an HE mission to fix Taliban into a location, while air assets were brought onto station. He set the bench mark for the rest of the MFCs and so the campaign began; not that there was any competition going on, but by all accounts, C Coy Mortar section was slightly jealous.
The deployment wasn’t
without incident, with
Cpl Huyton becoming
injured in a grenade
attack, but after
receiving his stitches, it
didn’t take him long to
get back into the fight.
B Company Mortars deployed in Feb 2011, into the Kandahar province with
the AI Company. They had 2 x 81mm barrels and 3 x 60mm barrels. Due to the deployment of the AI Company and the lack of mortar trained men, we struggled
to deploy the mortars as we would have liked, even though we had the kit to do so. We got around it by deploying the 60mm in the handheld role and split the ammunition between the sections.
C Company Mortars deployed at the
beginning of April 2011, to PB Khar Nikah. The first month and a half went quietly
for the Company and this resulted in a
very bored mortar line. We entertained ourselves in many ways, including building our own cinema, for film nights. There was also the inevitable ‘Op Massive’, that was conducted by certain members, although varying levels of success were observed. The quiet period soon ended and the mortar line could get on with their job. We didn’t experience too much success on the first engagement and this resulted in
the unfortunate death
of a local cow. Our thoughts go out to its family and friends. The engagement did result in bringing the contact to an end, however. In all we fired 3344 rounds, mainly HE, importantly,
more than A Company’s mortar line. After the cow incident the remaining fire missions were on target and didn’t neutralise anymore livestock
The Platoon didn’t manage to give Capt Hickmott any send off, but wish him well on his new job, and look forward to breaking in Capt Flackett, who will be taking over as OC Mortars.
We entertained ourselves in many ways, including building our own cinema
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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