Page 33 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

Anti-Tank Platoon
Looking back over the last twelve months of hard work and considerable effort, it was rewarding to see the platoon excel on Exercise Prairie Storm 3. The platoon is now ready to assume its role in the
1 MERCIAN Battle Group; high readiness next year. Many things have changed in
the platoon since my last article, and it has been great to see the promotion of Corporal Bacon-Sharratt and Corporal James after completing their Detachment Commanders Course. Also a well-deserved promotion
to Sergeant Major Stan Bowles, who also provided continuity throughout with his receding hairline. It has been humbling to see the professionalism and pride that the platoon displayed during the last year and extremely easy to take the credit for it! It is a testament to all members of the platoon that the amalgamation and rerolling has been so successful.
OC Phil (Face-time) Anderson 2IC WO2 (Stan) Bowles
OC Dragon
The first part of the year concentrated on individual training in his specialist area whether it was Warrior gunner, driver commander or Javelin operator. The focus switched at the beginning of 2015 towards section level training, integrated with the rifle companies on Salisbury Plain. This allowed the sections to develop and refine their tactics and employment of the Javelin missile with the Warrior. At the same time, the platoon moved onto armoured vehicle
live firing, which involved several rewarding trips to Castlemartin Ranges.
The platoon finally came together in the spring at CSTTX, where in the simulators they practiced combined arms manoeuvre, and more importantly anti-tanking in a battle group context. With the basic mechanics of the platoon manoeuvre covered, we were ready to deploy to BATUS. The deployment really tested the limits of the platoon, as we took over our eleven Warriors. It took us several late nights to get them into a fit state to deploy out onto the area. Throughout the exercise, the platoon performed extremely well, as it was put under pressure with constraints of equipment and the tactical situation. The platoon came through with flying colours, impressing the BATUS staff with our professionalism and discipline.
This now places us in a great position for the next year as we enter high readiness. With more overseas exercises on the cards, and the possibility of the 1 MERCIAN
Battle Group deploying as part of the lead armoured brigade, it looks to be another busy but exciting year.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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