Page 49 - Mercian Eagle 2016

Dragon Company: Mons Day 2015 Guard & Colour Party
Capt Dave Maddock handed Atk Platoon over to Capt Russ Jones.
CSgt Varley has moved upstairs to Ops WO to be replaced by CSgt Weaver.
By the time this goes to print Capt Sam Vause will have stepped up to take on Ops Officer 2 MERCIAN and Capt Ben Griffiths
will have moved to 2IC A Coy in preparation for Op TRENTON.
Last, but certainly not least, CSM ‘Bugsy’ Malone has handed over to CSM Hollingworth. After 26 years in the Army ‘The Legend’ is finally coming to a close as he leaves regular service, but on current
planning it looks as if he will still be in a uniform of some kind for a few more years yet. Bugsy, thank you for your service. We wish Jo and You (and Monty!) all the best for the future.
Mortar Platoon Capt BJA Griffiths, OC Mortars
Following an extremely strong performance for the Mortar Platoon on Ex ASKARI STORM 6 the beginning of 2016 saw
2 MERCIAN mortars focus on the task of VJTF. A huge uplift in capability within CIS and the adoption of a fleet of Pinzgauer meant an extremely busy start to the year. A number of individuals were kept busy rerolling to be able to drive the new fleet and the whole of the Platoon familiarised themselves with operating from a vehicle few had worked with before. This task
was accomplished successfully and in a relatively short period of time.
The main focus of the platoon then moved to preparing for the numbers and executives (execs) cadre that would once again qualify all members of the platoon in their job specific role. The running of the execs cadre was the first time the Battalion had been able to do so in a number of years and as such would offer a great opportunity to the LCpls within the Platoon as well as enhance our capability and better prepare those who in the future would be attending the Mortar Standards course.
The numbers cadre was to be run from Warcop and would enhance any skill fade and continue to develop the more senior mortarmen whist simultaneously educating and qualifying the newer members of the Platoon. It was to run hand in hand with the execs cadre which would educate
and develop the current ACPOs and other LCpls in being a proficient ACPO and introduce elements of being an MFC. All
of this combined to enable the platoon to “support friendly forces by killing the enemy, neutralising his forces and denying him the use of ground”.
The numbers cadre looked to focus
on combating any skill fade and ensuring the basics of mortaring were done well,
all essential in providing a higher level of marksmanship. It also offered an opportunity to enable the platoon to be comfortable with operating from the Pinzgauer under testing conditions. It looked at developing platoon SOPs and ensuring this was correctly cascaded, educated
and rehearsed in a
tactical environment.
The high standard in
test scores and practical
application of skills was
a credit to the attitude
of all students and the
professionalism of their
DS.
The execs cadre also
aimed to enhance the
ACPOs’ skills in the practical application of firing data as well as the correct application of adjusting fire. Long hours were spent
in the IFT simulator learning correct voice procedure and then applying it practically to effectively adjust fire onto a target, no mean feat. This was reciprocated under dry attack phases throughout Warcop training area and the progress achieved by all members of the course was extremely impressive.
Joint PT sessions throughout tested the Platoon in not just their physical ability, robustness and grit, but also then in the application of their mortaring skills as stretcher and relay races culminated in calling in fire missions following the successful deployment of a mortar detachment and the correct data
sent through by the execs. All of this demonstrated the need for teamwork,
motivation and a clear head when subject to a high pressure situation, not the easiest of tasks when “hanging out”.
The cadre culminated in a 3 day period of live fire which would not only qualify all members of the platoon as mortarmen but also assess the levels of marksmanship and proficiency from the numbers and execs alike. 5 weeks of training certainly paid
The high standard in test scores and practical application of skills was a credit to the attitude of all students...
dividends and the result was a cohesive mortar platoon able to deliver a necessary weight
of fire in an extremely short time frame. The cadre proved to be a complete success and maintains the Battalion’s OS capability and high level of proficiency from the Mortar Platoon.
Much of the rest of the year has seen the platoon providing individuals and groups supporting other exercises and events,
as well as allowing a number of soldiers
to develop their AT skills. So far this year we have sent mortarmen sailing, skiing, kayaking, mountain climbing and sky diving with further opportunities pencilled in right through until Christmas.
Huge congratulations must be given to Cpl Wakefield for successfully completing SCBC and Sgt Ward for his recent promotion. With great sadness we say goodbye to WO2 Hollingworth who leaves 2 MERCIAN Mortar Platoon after 20 years loyal service to take on the role of CSM Dragon Company, we wish him well in this role but look forward to welcoming CSgt Leach as he takes over the role of Mortar Platoon Second in Command.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
47