Page 23 - Mercian Eagle 2016

Mortars
Another busy year for 1 MERCIAN Mortar Platoon with multiple trawls, tasking’s
and deployments coming their way. As usual they have risen to the occasion and conducted some outstanding training throughout the year. The beginning of the year began with the annual Mortar Numbers Cadre. This is aimed at getting all those within the Platoon to be current, competent and qualified on the 81mm Mortar. The Platoon stripped right back to basics with
a large changeover of personnel. The lads grasped the opportunity to bed in with
the rudimentary elements of mortaring
and get these skills refined. Towards the end of the 4 week long Exercise the pace was ramped up and the platoon had to begin to perform their complicated drill and calculations under time pressures realistic to current Operations; and they performed exceptionally well. Following a meeting with all platoon staff on the completion of the course it was time to judge who had excelled amongst the platoon for the Best Mortar man and Best Mortar Detachment. Pte Gilliver’s rapid transition from a
Rifle Company into Mortar Platoon and his exceptionally fast grasp of the 81mm Mortar earned him the Top Student Award. The Best Detachment of the course went to Pte Gilliver, Pte Hill and Pte Middleton.
The 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade Mortar Concentration Cadre gave the Platoon another chance to get out into the field and hone their skill set in the light role as well as opportunity to fire from the vehicle platform. Over the course of the week
1 MERCIAN worked closely with 1 RRF and 4 RIFLES looking at best practice models in order to increase the standard of mortaring across the Brigade. Deception was a key theme of the week and how mortar platoons can mask their signatures when in and out of contact. Overall it
Off out on a ‘Heavy Carry’. All the handsome lads end up in Mortar Platoon
Sgt Percival in amongst the lads
Pte Winberg and Pte Forbes ‘at rest’ during the recent Mortar Concentration Cadre
was an extremely successful week with
all parties gaining further knowledge and tips to carry forward. The pain of missing the England vs. Wales Euro 2016 match was eased as 1 MERCIAN came away
with the Best Detachment Award for the Brigade. This was presented by the Brigade Commander to Pte Burke as the ‘No. 1’
on behalf of Pte Lesubulamai and Pte O’Hare. They were awarded this for their speed and accuracy when adjusting the Mortar and also their professionalism and continued high standards throughout the week. Professionalism and high standards were also recognised at individual levels with Sgt Franks being awarded a General Officer Commanding 3rd (United Kingdom) Division Commendation for leadership and commitment as Mortar Platoon Sergeant within 1 MERCIAN.
Mortar Platoon also enjoyed success on the sporting front with Pte Jarvis becoming a member of the Army British Judo Team and competed at the Army Championships. He has competed in the USA against fighters from the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil in order to take the Gold Medal in his weight category. Captain Riordan and WO2 Dickinson competed in the Salisbury 10 Mile Road Race each clocking up impressive times round a fairly arduous circuit. They also raised £918 for the Mercian Benevolent Fund in the process.
With the Battalion looking at another busy year, Mortar Platoon are ready and eager
to get the most out of the coming months. Deployments to the Falklands, Canada and multiple Short Term Training Team tasks will ensure that they are kept busy.
Mortar 2IC, WO2 Dickinson looks out over Salisbury Plain during the Mortar Numbers Cadre. Ex DRAGONS SCALE
Pl Comd Capt Luke Riordan Pl 2IC WO2 Dickinson
Captain Riordan, WO2 Dickinson and Captain Anderson at the Salisbury 10km Race
Pte Jarvis competing at the Army Judo Championships
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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