Page 24 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

OC Major Rich Grover MBE 2IC Lieutenant Ed Whatling CSM WO2 Andy White
WSM Colour Sergeant
Craig Scott
CQMS(M) Colour Sergeant George Moitt
Tiffy Staff Sergeant Dave Devlin
22
B (Malta) Company
OC’s Foreword Major Rich Grover MBE
What a year. After a summer of bedlam with the arms plot move and regimental re-organisation, it was straight into the armoured infantry re-role.
With B Company chosen to go on Exercise PRAIRIE STORM 1/15 with the Royal Tank Regiment Battle Group, it
meant that our training timeline was four months shorter than the rest of 1 MERCIAN in order to meet the BATUS start dates. When September came therefore, we were straight out of the gates and into individual courses, principally Warrior AFV gunnery and driving. Our first collective training
was in November when we conducted a low level dismounted exercise on Salisbury Plain Training Area, and then it was off to Castlemartin in December to conduct IGLFX for those in the turret and TLFTT.
The first two weeks in January 2015 were spent once more in a very wet and windy Castlemartin, conducting the Warrior AFV gun camp (LFX and ACT) and the dismounted LFTT. This was to meet the live fire start states for BATUS. A quick turnaround in Bulford and we were then back out on exercise in the last week of January, this time doing our first collective training exercise as a mounted sub-unit. The first and last weeks in February were
spent in CATT doing platoon and company level training, and this led straight into
the two week CSTTX with the Royal Tank Regiment in March. Immediately after this we deployed back onto Salisbury Plain
for our two week CT2 package which included the Commanding Officer’s test exercise, and following four days of vehicle maintenance and handover we went on two weeks Easter leave. Straight after this we went to BATUS where
HERRICK cycle has not lessened the pace and if anything it has increased it. The challenge of command has certainly not eased with the focus shifting from a specific operation to that of readiness. Fusing together a company made up of soldiers from the old 1, 2 and 3 MERCIAN has been critical. Not without frustration, it has been a year of challenge and reward, and the
we were able to finally draw breath.
B Company deployed to BATUS in April
2015, which for 85%
of the company was
Not without frustration, it has been a year of challenge and reward...
sense of achievement within B Company at having conducted a re-role, meeting the BATUS start states, going on exercise as part of a Battle Group on the fabled BATUS prairie, and ensuring readiness is notable.
a new experience.
The exercise was a
real challenge; from the preparation of the vehicles, to the deployment for 31 days and then the recovery and hand back. It tested everyone and every skill set, but the boys stepped up to the plate and delivered. The exercise in its totality is not rocket science, but it does demand focus, hard work and a professional attitude, and that was evident throughout.
The pace of life has been unbelievable over the last year. Coming out of the
we are at a state of
The stage is now set for the readiness year in 2016, and there is still work to do, but
if this last year is anything to go by then
B Company will be more than up for the challenge.
For me it has been an absolute honour and a privilege to have commanded this company and all the men and women in it, and I wish them all the very best for 2016.
Cpl Sutherland and Pte Pritchard in the turret on the Prairie in Canada
THE MERCIAN EAGLE