Page 44 - Mercian Eagle 2013

42
Following a period of hard-earned
leave over Christmas, the Platoon very quickly focussed on preparing for the deployment to Afghanistan to deliver the Reception, Staging, Onwards Movement and Integration (RSOI) package. Our role in this was complex and varied, with members of the Platoon covering aspects of RSOI ranging from teaching vehicle courses
to running complex live Ranges. This deployment was viewed by 8 Platoon as an opportunity to make use of the resources available in theatre, and in turn, this attitude enabled us to make the most of both the live firing and the driving qualifications to
be gained. To illustrate the point, we were fortunate enough to be able to provide Range packages for every member of the Platoon to fire Sniper Rifles, Anti Structural Munitions and Grenade Machine Guns
to name but a few. Considering that we deployed with some very junior Private Soldiers, this offered a level of exposure
to different weapon systems which could never have been achieved in the UK. We are still very much reaping the rewards in the confidence and competence that was attained, particularly in the junior ranks
in the Platoon. As well as being a great opportunity, the Afghanistan deployment was also a very significant challenge for the Platoon, not least due to how dislocated the Commanders were from many of their men. The nature of the Task Organisation required to deliver the RSOI package meant that the Platoon was very spread out, with very little day-to-day business conducted together
due to the number of different departments within the RSOI team, and some of the Platoon not even being in theatre at all. We mitigated this through regularly meeting
for social events as a Platoon, using the impressive welfare facilities which Camp Bastion has to offer, but nonetheless, it made for a challenging period for us all.
all ranks bonding both professionally and personally. Dartmoor was an extremely rewarding exercise, and with very little collective experience of that unique Training Area, it made for an excellent shake-out and build-up to the rigours of Kenya. The chance to take part in Adventure Training as a Platoon must always be grabbed with both hands, and Newquay, in July, in a heat wave, was right on the money. Highlights included Private Lamb conquering a fear
of heights with a 48 foot cliff jump, though perhaps not all the
Returning from Afghanistan, the Platoon was well represented in the Presentation of the New Colours, with numerous Platoon members forming the various guards which made up the
Parade. The timing of
the Parade, very shortly
after our return from
Camp Bastion, made
for a very enjoyable
and welcome change
in routine, which set
us up nicely for Post
Operational Tour Leave
(POTL).
Returning from
POTL, we were given
the first opportunity since before Christmas to train in the field as a Platoon. Having returned from Op HERRICK, several new Private Soldiers came to the Platoon, and with us re-forming after the Afghanistan deployment, we needed a chance to spend some time in the field together and re-establish a sense of identity both within each Section, and in the Platoon as a whole. A week of dry training in Dartmoor followed by a week of Adventure Training in Newquay dealt with this admirably, with
exploits of a group of soldiers still sporting their Afghan tans in a notorious party town would be suitable for this publication.
Immediately following summer leave, the Platoon deployed to Magilligan for two weeks of Ranges. This marks the culmination
in the pre-deployment training building up to Kenya, and it has been very satisfying to see the skills which the Platoon has picked up in their so varied experiences of the last year coming together. We are now poised ready to deploy, and the Platoon continues to develop ahead of my expectations,
due to the ability and commitment of the NCOs in the Platoon. We look forward to the challenges ahead, and the chance to prove ourselves as a first-rate Rifle Platoon. Kenya awaits...
facilities and harsh environmental conditions allowed those members of the Company who deployed, to continue their development and return mentally and physically stronger. The Sniper Platoon, particularly, used this
Dartmoor was an extremely rewarding exercise, and with very little collective experience of that unique Training Area...
D (Fire Support) Coy
The past year has once again proven to
be fast paced and disparate for D (Fire Support) Company with deployments
to HERRICK and FIRIC. The Company acquitted itself extremely well maintaining
its professionalism, purpose and sense of humour whilst enduring numerous re-orbats, changes of personnel and much upheaval.
D (Fire Support) Company is the
Senior Company in the Battalion, and
for good reason, as the Battalion relies upon the Company to find the enemy
and provide integral fire support during Operations. With the drawdown from Afghanistan now well underway and the Army looking at returning to contingency operations, the focus of the Company has now changed. Contingency operations and expeditionary warfare requires a change
to the mind set and how the individual, Platoon and Company will deploy and work. Training to enable the Company to effectively utilise its integral assets began during a six week cadre at the military training estate at Warcop. The Company after a significant rebuild and influx of new personnel set about the task of training
and relearning those skills that are required to enable Rifle Companies to close with
an enemy force. Recce, Snipers, FSG and Mortars all built themselves up from the minimum standards at the beginning of the cadre with six
time to continue the Sniper cadre and is now well set for the coming year.
Heavy Weapons and Driving training support was given to C Company as they deployed on Op HERRICK to
weeks of live firing, fitness and battlefield skills culminating with D Companies contribution to a live BG attack.
This Cadre set the Company up well for the various Battalion deployments...
This Cadre set
the Company up well
for the various Battalion
deployments and
exercises that were to spread the Company throughout the Battalion during the early months of 2013.
run the Reception Staging and Onward Integration (RSOI) package. This 4 month deployment saw D Company personnel instructing the new Brigade on all vehicle platforms and weapon systems during a concentrated 7 day package, that would see them capable of deploying immediately into Helmand Province. CSM Pugsley and those members of the Company Driver Training were recognised by both outgoing and incoming Brigade Commanders as providing an exceptional level of instruction
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
A third of the Company deployed under Capt Hattersley and WO2 Roberts to the Falkland Islands in support of B Company during Op FIRIC. Detachments from all the Platoons enabled B Company to practise integrated Live Firing Attacks, whilst also allowing the members of D Company an opportunity to hone the skills developed during the Warcop Cadre. The range