Page 33 - Mercian Eagle 2016

Who stood the Platoon Commander in the hole? 1 Platoon after LFTT in SENTA
1 Platoon
Over the last year 1 Platoon,
Grenadier Company was tasked on a multitude of differing exercises. In January the Battalion became part of the Very High Readiness Joint Taskforce (VJTF) which also saw the introduction of the new VIRTUS integrated load carrying system. Being one of the first battalions to test the new kit, the Platoon exercised in Brecon to feed-back on the quality and versatility of the system.
communication and compatibility between the NATO member states. This involved a large amount of teaching other nations our tactics, techniques and procedures and learning theirs. The topics covered ranged from FIBUA and FIWAF to mine clearing operations. The exercise culminated in a joint battle group attack with the Spanish army on a village. Whilst out in Poland, members of the Platoon were able to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau in a very poignant trip to the concentration camp.
Before this however, from October to November the Platoon flew to Kenya to
take part in a CT4 (Combined arms) test exercise. Whilst in Africa the Platoon worked with 2 LANCS who provided a company to the battle group. 1 0 days at the end of the exercise in Kenya were dedicated to adventurous training, the Platoon had a
chance to go mountain biking, climbing, white water rafting and kayaking in three different location.
More recently, the Platoon completed a live fire package in Sennybridge working from individual skills up to Section attacks by night and Platoon attacks by day;
an excellent week that improved the
VJTF kept the Platoon at readiness and in the UK for a significant amount of time. The Platoon was regularly tested by practice
call outs and kit checks. Throughout this, however, low level
training still continued
to keep the platoon’s
fighting edge ready for a
potential deployment
1 Platoon trying out their best ‘Blue Steel’ impressions on Ex ANAKONDA
company’s cohesion and saw the company complete the Platoon Sergeants Battle Course 5 Miler – a hard test regardless of your fitness.
Members of the Platoon also provided force protection to the NATO Allied Rapid Response Corps headquarters exercise
in Cornwall. The exercising troops for the ARRC included 7 Brigadiers and 3 Generals and our soldiers in the position to interact with the staff whilst on guard at the gate and in the sangars.
Looking forward, the Platoon will become part of the Op TEMPERER Standby Battalion very high readiness contingent in the early part of 2017 before starting military skills training for Op TRENTON peace support operations in South Sudan with 32 Engineer Regiment.
In May, 1 Platoon
deployed with the rest
of the 2 MERCIAN
battle group to join
the NATO exercise in
Poland. This exercise
was in two phases, the first as part of the Spanish brigade in the VJTF, following which the battle group was attached to an American formation. In Poland the Platoon had the privilege to work with the Spanish, American, Albanian and Hungarian forces in a combined arms exercise. It focused on improving the
It focused on improving
the communication and compatibility between the NATO member states.
2 Platoon
My introduction to A (Grenadier) Company Cpl Jennison, 2 Platoon
I joined 2 Platoon in February 2016 after spending the previous twelve months
in the Anti-Tank Platoon. It became
quickly apparent that the pace of life in
A (Grenadier) Company was much faster than that of Dragon Company as I soon found myself on exercise after only a few days. We deployed to Dartmoor for a week of navigational training which, due to the fact that it was most of our first time in Dartmoor, proved much more challenging than we first thought. Throughout the week the weather was challenging (at best!) and as well as doing a good job at getting us wet, it was also a chance to practice our
map reading skills in all conditions; overall a fantastic week.
After a well-deserved week in camp we found ourselves deploying again, this time to Caerwent for a week of OBUA training. The aim of the week was to build up our personal skills and drills, progressing from Section to Platoon level. On the Thursday evening we had built up to a Platoon urban attack in order to assess our ability. To make it a little more challenging, we did it
at night. The attack was an assault on two buildings against a Section of enemy forces. As this was the first time working with my new Platoon, I can say that I was thoroughly
impressed by the effort and skill of all the Platoon.
After some time off it wasn’t long before Grenadier Company was preparing for the annual Cauldley Cup, a Section competition conducted in a different location every year. The winners, the best overall Section get their name on the trophy with a coveted grenadier flash awarded to every man in
the section. The competition began on the Tuesday morning in Warcop with a three-mile log race in which my Section came third. This first event would dictate our running order for the 24 hour patrol serial we were to deploy on later that
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
31