Page 68 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

HQ Company
MTO Pl Sgt
Capt D Travis Sgt Banks
L/Cpl McNamara Cpl Marshall
Pte Wright L/Cpl Farr
Pte Knight
Cpl Smith
Pte Thompson Cpl Kilby
Pte Stretton L/Cpl Mills Pte Bowen Cpl Larubi Pte McGlade Cpl Parker Pte Jamieson L/Cpl Isaacs Cpl Smith L/Cpl Shaw
This has been another busy year for
HQ Coy 2 MERCIAN, and a year filled with new members arriving and departing the Company.
Late summer – just after summer leave
- HQ Coy along with other elements of the battalion prepared to deploy to OP TOSCA. A demanding tour awaited them, but
one with a difference as this one involved plenty of sun cream, sun block and beach towels! Those that deployed provided the back bone of the operational and real life support to the OP TOSCA commitment. Opportunities to see Cyprus from both sides were by all accounts a worthwhile tour for all those that deployed. It was clearly evident on their return that they all thoroughly enjoyed it and got something out of it, especially the well organised Adventurous Training package.
The remainder of the company that
was left in Dale Barracks, formed part of
the ROG under the direction of the CSM (WO2 Hughes). ROG duties consisted of the normal barrack camp duties, and other tasks such as supporting both A (Grenadier) Coy and D (Dragon) Coy exercises. This was a very busy time for everyone on the ROG with limited pit stops. At times it seemed as if the CSM was going to have
to make cardboard cut outs of soldiers
to support some tasks, as the numbers requested never added up to what was available!
In November, A Coy deployed to Lithuania as part of a larger NATO exercise. The initial requirements for support from HQ Coy were highlighted well in advance,
but eventually the figures started to grow arms and legs, and it quickly became evident that everyone from ROG HQ wanted to deploy to Lithuania!
This also happened to be the same period that D Coy deployed to SPTA
to conduct a cadre course, which also required elements of support from HQ Coy. HQ Coy were completely committed in supporting both A & D Coys, with the remaining HQ personnel manning the Dale Barracks guard, in different shapes and sizes; there was no spare to give at all. This pressure on HQ Coy for manpower and the usual G4 requirements all at the same time created small hurdles, but I am pleased to say that in our professional good manner these were overcome relatively painlessly and quickly, by retaining a HQ sense of humour.
There have been many achievements within the company over the past 12 months, but one that stands out is LCpl Hyland and his ability to raise money for charity. Spending over 24 hours at a shopping centre on a bike and raising over £1800 single handed for Help The Heroes is something worthy of a mention; well done!
With the recent merger of our battalions, this has seen many new faces arrive. This can only be a good thing, as we now all focus on one thing ‘’ Strike Hard and Stand Firm’’ together as we are now united.
During the month of September, we had to say farewell to Major Gary Spencer, who has already moved onto pastures new taking up his new role as QM of 1 RIRISH. We wish him and his family all the very best
during his two-year attachment. Major
Mo Moynihan (R WELSH) has now taken up post as OC HQ Coy, in which he is looking very forward to this Sub Unit Comd appointment. Cpl Pearson also departs the Regiment after serving for 24 years; he has done a sterling job in running the PRI shop this year, and again we wish him and his family all the best for his civilian future.
2016 is going to be an exciting year; taking on our new role as the High Readiness Task Force, and I’m sure it will be another busy but enjoyable and rewarding year with plenty of photos to show you in the next MERCIAN EAGLE.
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MT Platoon Capt D Travis
2 MERCIAN MT Platoon has enjoyed a very
busy period over the last 12 months. Half of the platoon deployed to Cyprus on Op TOSCA, led by A/Sgt Smith leaving behind a healthy ROG contingent consisting of the MTO and MT Pl Sgt.
A/Sgt Smith and his small team of regulars and reservists performed extremely well in Cyprus, and tried very hard to update all MT paperwork and implement new MT procedures, which helped them sail through the Master Driver’s LSI.
With Op TOSCA in safe hands, the
ROG contingent were kept very busy by
A (Grenadier) Company who conducted
a number of large exercises, including
Ex IRON SWORD in Lithuania and
Ex ASKARI STORM in Kenya. Ex IRON SWORD presented a particular challenge to the MT Pl, as it involved a vehicle move on two ferries across Europe, with a number
of dangerous goods. After considerable amount of time spent with heads in JSPs and ADR books, a plan was hatched. Almost every eventuality was tested during the journey, which provided us with a
great learning experience. The Convoy Commander, Lt Harrison, got them there and back safely despite a small liaison with some drunken Eastern European soldiers on one of the ferries.
Since November 14, the Pl has performed very well on all the usual external inspections such as the LSI and ECI, and have been flat out, providing driver training for the battalion in preparation for our own Ex ASKARI STORM in October 15. The Green Fleet staff, consisting of Cpl Kilby and L/Cpl Mills, have conducted ten Land Rover GS courses and have trained in the region of sixty new drivers. The DLAIs have also been busy with Cat C, C+E, and D1
training, where the battalion had particular shortages. These figures showing the numbers of trained drivers in the past twelve months are very impressive, and show the dedication and commitment of the small team of instructors. A great effort by all involved, which must continue in order to meet the battalion’s requirements for its new role in 2016.
A very big thank you to Sgt Steve Banks who has been a fountain of knowledge, and played a huge part in integrating the soldiers from three different battalions
into a cohesive and hardworking platoon. Finally; after being in the MTO’s seat for about a year now, and previously thinking throughout my career of 27 years what does the MT Platoon actually do? I can now answer that question with great ease - A LOT!!!
THE MERCIAN EAGLE