Page 22 - Mercian Eagle 2016

OC
2IC
Sect Comd
Captain Phil (Face-time) Anderson WO2 (Stan) Bowles
Sgt (Cat) Catarall Sgt (Stu) Crawford Sgt (Ritchy) Shaw
20
Sniper OC CSgt Smith Sniper Pl Sgt Sgt Waters
Anti-Tank Platoon
Looking back over the last twelve months,
it has once again been an extremely busy period filled with challenges. But in the Anti- Tank Platoon fashion, each one of these has being met in the manner that has become expected.
Firstly we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate both Cpl Hoyte and Sgt Crawford on their promotions
and wish them luck with their new roles within the platoon. We would also like to welcome the new members of the platoon that have now successfully completed the numbers cadre conducted on Salisbury Plain, qualifying them as Javelin Operator’s, the Battalions only integral tank killing asset. But with all this fresh blood driving the platoon forward we must also say farewell to some familiar faces within the Anti-Tank Platoon, Corporal Power has
now left for 2 MERCIAN, Corporal Mathews aka “Bagpuss” who has hung up his beret for the last time, and opted to wear the traditional Caubeen of the Royal Irish, Sergeant (Lefty) Wright, who has moved
to C (Kohima) Company on his promotion and Sergeant (Ben) Pollitt, who has moved to Hereford, to work with the Special Reconnaissance Regiment. Sgt Pollitt has requested that for the purpose of his own personal security, anybody that has old pictures of him could take the time to black out his eyes in true special force’s manner. Additionally for the more technologically savvy, a pixelated face on social media sites would also be appreciated.
After the great articles of last year’s exciting deployment to BATUS for the newly formed Armoured Anti-Tank platoon. I would love to once again report of the
Sniper Platoon.
Sniper Platoon have had an excellent year so far and moving from strength to strength. An outstanding knowledge of basic sniper skills is filtering across the platoon.
Further continuation training has happened in Brecon at the start of this year, working closely with Recce Platoon. It has been majorly useful cross training the skills and tactics used by both elements. Sniper Platoon managed to perform a sizable LFTT package towards the end of the exercise which confirmed to the Chain of Command that the training objectives were not only met, but exceeded.
Sniper Platoon also competed in a Tri-Service competition this past year. An impressive finish of 4th place was achieved in very competitive field. LCpl Gardner and Pte Smith flew out to Denmark in June to take part in another Sniper Competition. Both of them enjoyed the experience and gained valuable knowledge from other countries competing at this event. Among
magnificent stories of such a spectacular. However this year has seen the platoon spread to the four winds. The reality of what many of us had hoped would be an exciting deployment as part of high readiness, has more realistically been a number of smaller deployments on various exercises, be that supporting the Company Commanders Course on Exercise Lion Strike or Conducting the Platoons Javelin Numbers Cadre. Running parallel to this has being the Battalions deployment on CSTTX and also to Gunnery Camp in Castlemartin. This also gave the Platoons Soldiers the opportunity to conduct some well-earned adventurous training, in the picturesque surroundings of Pembrokeshire.
This year also gave 1 MERCIAN Anti- Tank Platoon the privilege of hosting the Brigade Javelin Concentration, an event that would see all the Anti-Tank Platoons from across the Brigade, come together to share their own experiences and discuss best practices. Over the course of the week many a subject matter expert presented
all aspects of Anti Tanking, from the future of our own Javelin System, to the future
of armour itself. The week culminated with a visit to Shrivingham Defence Academy and gave the opportunity to prove, through a touch of light hearted competition that
1 MERCIAN did in fact have the best Anti- Tank within the Brigade. In a bid to leave each of the Brigades Anti-tank Platoons on a high and being the modest platoon that
LCpl Mawia In his FFP about to take his first shot
other taskings, the Sniper Platoon provided support to A Company on Op ORBITAL helping to conduct close training with Ukrainian Paratroopers. This provided them an insight into the workings of a foreign army and training in a very current environment.
The platoon with a T72
we are, we agreed that we were all equally skilled and could not confirm a clear winner. (Although clearly we won by a country mile).
So, with the platoons newly qualified Javelin Gunners growing in confidence and all Warrior AFV Crews having completed their annual crew test (ACT). The Platoon is well placed to seize the challenges and opportunities next year has in store for
us. Hopefully these will come with plenty
of notice as forewarned is forearmed and nobody likes a “Fastballs”.
Lastly after two years of loyal service it
is with great regret we must say farewell to our illustrious leader Captain Phil (Facetime) Anderson. The extra work has clearly paid off as he departs us for warmer climates, securing himself a place as an instructor at the West Point Military Academy in America, opening the door for our new project and Platoon Commander, Captain Bermingham.
Conducting Training at Brecon ranges
The Platoon is looking forward to conducting a three week Sniper Skills Concentration Course following on from some well-earned summer leave in September. Elements of the platoon will be away on Sniper Qualification Courses in order to maintain the flexibility and capability for the current fast tempo of Army life.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE