Page 15 - Mercian Eagle 2016

4 PLATOON
The highlight of the last year for 4 Platoon were the public order exercises. They provided a new challenge for the platoon in which the vast majority had not experienced public order scenarios before. The platoon took it in their stride and reacted well to the situations that they were confronted with. A special mention must go to Pte Naliva who single handedly held the baseline, with the CIVPOP scared to go anywhere near him.
The platoon were also given opportunity to get back to basics with their soldiering ability in a dismounted close combat role during the CT1 exercise. Without the luxury of a Warrior at the start, the platoon had
to insert into the harbour area on foot – it was at this point it really became clear to the lads one of the major benefits of being Armoured Infantry! Later on in the exercise, the platoon spent two days getting to grips
5 PLATOON
Fresh from Ex Prairie Storm, 5 Platoon embarked on this training year in good stead and prepared to face the many challenges ahead.
The Platoon has worked extremely
hard throughout the duration of the
year, striving to maintain the state of readiness and benefit from any and all opportunities thrown our way. We have faced a demanding schedule during
the last 12 months but have tangibly reaped the rewards of this. Our combat effectiveness has been aided by numerous soldiers achieving Warrior driving and gunnery qualifications. Notably Cpl
with Warrior as there are a lot of new faces who did not deploy to BATUS.
given the task of being the lead platoon during the RTR BG exercise.
4 Pl Comd 4 Pl Sgt
4 Pl Wr Sgt
Lt Jake Berridge
Sgt Bircumshaw / Sgt Mardell Sgt Mellor (WR Sgt)
Lt Berridge and LCpl
Wood also deployed
on a week long rock
climbing AT trip to Malta
resulting in sore legs,
arms and occasional
sore head. The platoon
also bid farewell to Sgt
Bircumshaw on posting
to ITC Catterick and Sgt
Mellor moved on after promotion to Colour Sergeant.
Spending 4 weeks in CATT on CSTTX gave the platoon chance to really iron out their low level armoured infantry manoeuvre in the vehicle simulators and were always
the top student, an excellent effort from a recently promoted JNCO. We have also had men qualify as Battlefield Casualty Drills Instructors, signallers and Public Order Training Safety Staff. Alongside these courses, the Platoon has managed to fit
in adventurous training expeditions, with soldiers skiing, surfing, hill walking and much more.
The highlights of the training year have included the Combined Arms Demonstration, involving the Warriors
During the
battalion gun camp
at Castlemartin, the platoon went through
a LFTT progression which culminated in a dismounted platoon attack. Equally as important was the Mounted Close Combat
training with the platoon getting through their LFXs ending in the Annual Crew Test. Only one of the six gunners used in Castlemartin by 4 Platoon had prior live firing experience, so the remaining five did well to pass their tests with good scores.
up aggression during CT 1 and 2 level Public Order training and have been able
to display their dismounted skills during a CT 1 exercise and Ex LION STRIKE. The culmination of the training to this point has been the excellent live firing package at the Battalion Gunnery Camp in Castlemartin. With dismounted attacks through to Platoon attack leading in to integrated attacks with the Warriors, the exercise was a demanding but enjoyable experience for all. All of our crews worked their way up to passing ACT, with a number of level 6 passes and LCpl Finau and Pte Whitehouse proving the most accurate crew in the Company.
5 Platoon now continues to work towards our maintenance of readiness as part of
the RTR BG and we are looking forward
to a demanding multi-national exercise in Lithuania later in the year.
The platoon took it in their stride and reacted well to the situations...
5 Pl Comd 5 Pl Sgt
5 Pl Wr Sgt
Lt Jack England Sgt Mason
Sgt Ryder
Sinclair completed the Regimental Instructor of Gunnery course to add to the Platoon’s number of RIGs, and LCpl Smith completed his Driving and Maintenance Instructors course as
The Platoon has worked extremely hard throughout the duration of the year...
roaring towards an attack in front of a packed crowd of dignitaries on Salisbury Plain with Apaches
in close support. The Platoon were able
to let off some pent
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
13