Page 25 - Mercian Eagle 2016

LAD
On 6 November 2015, the last remaining personnel from 1 MERCIAN LAD returned from the deactivation of BATUS after completing an arduous Prairie Storm 3. After a well earned soak period we found ourselves entering the Christmas season celebrating the year’s achievements and looking forward to what the new year could bring. With the new year came
new challenges as we were immediately trawled to supply personnel to deploy
on the BATUS winter repair programme (WRP), meanwhile those not deployed
back to BATUS were enjoying various AT packages which were going on back in the UK. These were ranging from multi-activity weeks in Castlemartin to single day downhill mountain bike packets in South Wales. During this period, the FOE was filling at an alarming rate with exercise LION STRIKE
on the immediate horizon and exercise LAVINGTON FOLLY soon to follow.
Concurrently to all of this happening,
the LAD football team had begun their Craftsman Cup campaign and by this point were awaiting our quarter final draw. After the completion of exercises LION STRIKE and LAVINGTON FOLLY, came the build up for the annual Castlemartin Range package. Work continued in anticipation of the Craftsman Cup final, with the team training twice a day in order to give themselves the best chance of success. With the return
of our personnel from the BATUS WRP
the whole LAD was able to come and support the team on a well deserved day out. The game was long and hard fought but unfortunately after a monumental effort throughout the season, we came out as 1st runners up for the largest cup competition within our Corps. This was no mean feat and a proud achievement for an LAD to
1 Mercian LAD mountain bikers at Bike Park Wales
achieve, especially being both so small and recently formed.
After the celebrations were over our attentions were drawn to the main focus
of the summer, Castlemartin Ranges. Twenty tradesmen and women deployed to the range in order to carry out all repairs and maintenance on the exercising fleet. The end of June saw the start of the Castlemartin Range package and with over three quarters of our LAD deploying on rotation to Pembroke in order to provide the maximum vehicle availability at all times, it was sure to be a testing month. Long hours, working weekends, consistent work and a constant can do attitude
from all trade groups ensured maximum vehicle availability; enabling the Battalion to conduct its training and achieve their goal.
After returning from Wales we were left with two weeks before the start of summer leave and a final task of getting the vehicles ready to handover. The LAD was also able to conduct a LAD society golf day, combining all abilities from experienced players to
those having never hit a ball. With the weather somehow holding out, the day at Hamptworth proved to be a successful one.
Finally, the LAD had to say goodbye to some of its key personalities as well as welcoming those who were joining. With the constant hard work and effort delivered by all as well as the future changes and challenges ahead, each and every member of the LAD were able to hold their heads high knowing they had earned their summer leave.
to embarrass the Maint team in all football tournaments!
As always, we have had to say goodbye to some very popular members of the platoon starting off with the QM himself. We wish Maj Bard the very best in the future. SSgt Shrestha has moved to 10 QOGLR, Cpl Smalley has now transferred to the AGC and LCpl Dickinson with Pte Haines are now seeking new adventures as civilians. We welcome the new QM, Maj Whillock, Cpl Palmer taking over the ammunition account, Cpl Rai has in the clothing store and Cpl Eley is our new JAMES operator.
Last but not least, a big congratulations to Cpl McKeown on his promotion to Cpl!
OC LAD Capt Morgan Rimmer ASM WO1 Carol
Quartermasters’ Department Update
Since returning from BATUS and taking some well-deserved leave, the department has once again been extremely busy supporting the battalion and its many tasks. The main focus for the QMs since BATUS was preparing for the combined assurance week (CAW). This week passed with no major concerns and allowed us to breathe easy knowing we were well and truly heading in the right direction for the ECI and LSI early in the next year. An outstanding performance by all members of the platoon proved this to be right, with a fantastic green on both inspections.
Away from the inspection side of business, the platoon has been working hard to support the various Operations and Exercises. Despite the hard work, there was still opportunity to play hard and in April
the RQMS (T) and SSgt Shrestha offered their expertise for the Eagle Company shooting team. SSgt Shrestha was
awarded the best shot in the Battalion, helping Eagle Company to win the battalion competition. This was rather embarrassing for the Rifle Companys and allowed some cheap digs to the CSMs!
With a beautiful beach just round the corner from Castlemartin, the platoon
made the most of their month away. Surfing sessions saw LCpl Dickinson requiring
the deployment of the life guard and the RQMS (M) require the deployment of the Sudocreme after a biking session courtesy of the RQ (T). Meanwhile, some of the platoon headed out on a twelve mile coastal walk, taking in some amazing scenery of the Welsh coast.
The intra-department rivalry has not faltered throughout and a few trips to the golf driving range saw the Maint team beat the Techs in all competitions. This is a huge achievement as the Techs continue
QM(M) Maj Whillock QM(T) Capt Jones RQMS(M) Hopkins RQMS(T) Redfern
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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