Page 50 - Mercian Eagle 2016

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Atk Pl with a US Apache on the ground liaison day
Training for the Anti Tank Battle in a congested and combined context
June 16 saw the Anti Tank Platoon deploy with the 2 MERCIAN BG to Poland for
Ex ANAKONDA, a combined exercise with our Polish, American and Spanish NATO Allies. With a Spanish Brigade lead and
a thickly wooded terrain throughout, the setting was unusual to say the least.
With the difficulties of operating the Anti-Tank equipment in such a closed environment, our training was directed to developing our ability to have an effect in such terrain and concentrated on honing low-level tactics and individual skills. This was of course tempered with supporting the Battlegroup in its numerous serials and being available to fulfill the role of enemy forces when required.
The Platoon’s focus on Anti-Tank
Stalks and contact drills was tiring in the unexpected heat of the Polish Summer but allowed the Platoon to concentrate on its core skills without the complexities of larger scale operations. In addition the Platoon was tasked with establishing defensive positions for the Company attack lanes and the Battlegroup attack. A task that, although unexpected, was taken in the Platoon’s stride.
With the plethora of different nations exercising, the opportunity to do some combined serials couldn’t be missed. Although the other European nations favored a more rehearsed scenario than we are used to, it was reassuring to see the Apache in action finding our positions and how difficult it was for the Leopard tanks
to spot our dug in positions however less reassuring was how fast armour moved across the plain.
The difficulties of working with our NATO Allies became apparent very quickly during the planning stages of the battle exercises.
With a Spanish Brigade lead and a thickly wooded terrain throughout, the setting was unusual to say the least.
Our initial estimate of how the exercise was going to run was thwarted when the Spanish Anti Tank Company Commander detailed us out as enemy forces for the exercise. As frustrating as it was, the opportunity to see the Spanish Anti Tank
groupings operate wasn’t wasted and showed how different our interpretations
of the anti tank battle are. The Spanish favoring a large mobile platform with speed balanced against our slower moving platform with reduced signature.
Despite the professional setting, the Platoon tried to maintain a balance between utilizing the training estate and relaxing in a foreign land. Fortunately many members of the Platoon were able to visit the local City of Poznan, the Auschwitz concentration camp or one of the local museums. The horizon broadening experiences that this gave those lucky enough to get away made the exercise worthwhile in itself.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Atk Pl with a Polish Leopard Tank after some live IFV Recognition Training