Page 51 - MERCIAN Eagle 2017

B Coy’s Country Residence
Cpl McDermott
When I returned from R and R, I moved
to Training Team South at Menila Training Centre. It was a good change of scenery and a way to break up the tour, however, I heard that the food and gym were not up to the standards of Erbil!
It was approximately a three-and-a-half- hour journey to Menila by car, this was the first opportunity I had had to get out of the city and see the countryside of Kurdistan, which is beautiful. We passed through several checkpoints on route, some more rigid than others. Upon arrival in Menila
the most notable difference was the close proximity of the neighbourhoods. After three days of settling in, I began instructing
Oil Protection Force soldiers in all round defense
Cpl Hesketh teaching at MTC
on the Wider Area Security Course. I soon learned that training in Menila was much better resourced; we used the first week to conduct static ranges which culminated in a shooting competition.
The following week, we conducted urban operations training, allowing us to test our soldiers in a more realistic environment. Back in camp, the horror stories regarding the food seemed untrue. Apart from there being a limited choice at meals, I found the food quite tasteful. There was a BBQ held every Saturday; a welcomed way to end each week.
I thoroughly enjoyed the later reveille time experienced at Menila, this was in contrast to the 0430 expected at Erbil. In
Menila, the training area was quite literally
in our back garden which made it ideal for reconnaissance of lesson sites. It was also a great area for running and had many ranges to conduct our own marksmanship training.
Thanks to the Finnish contingent, Menila had a sauna, a great place where all nations came together at the end of the day and were able to relax. Menila was an outstanding experience, the Peshmerga were a great bunch. Knowing that the drills we taught them will be used on the front line in the fight against Daesh is a very rewarding feeling.
Cpl Cross teaches the Peshmerga patrolling skills
Cpl Mumby in overwatch
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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