Page 48 - Mercian Eagle 2013

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CSgt Catherwood instructing the Platoon in OP roof construction Patrols Pl OP in Palace Barracks, clearly the aperture has not yet been fully camouflaged
will be thoroughly trialled on Ex ASKARI STORM in order to test its effectiveness for contingency operations.
After the Presentation of New Colours it became apparent that the Patrols Platoon needed to get out
into the field. The men
Rifle Companies meant that by this time only 50% of the Platoon were qualified as snipers or as Light Recce Patrolmen. This cadre
will qualify the entire Platoon, including the Snipers, as Light Recce Patrolmen; preparing
The Platoon is now looking forward
to completing the cadre in Kenya and deploying into the field. An influx of 12 private soldiers ‘borrowed’ from the Rifle Companies to complete the Recce Cadre has brought the platoon up to full strength for Ex ASKARI STORM. In addition BHQ has sourced a brand new camera for each patrol, giving the platoon the ability to brief from products far more accurately than one of LCpl Reilly’s sketches. Despite the fact that Recce Patrolmen are trained in the use of camera kit, we are not scaled to hold any on account so for many of the lads this will be the first time they will have been able to use cameras in the field.
had started digging OPs in all over camp and conducting CTRs on unsuspecting
After the Presentation of New Colours it became apparent that the Patrols Platoon needed to get out into the field.
us for the rigours of Ex ASKARI STORM and also blurring the lines between the Sniper Section and the Recce Patrols. This will only enhance the Battle Group’s reconnaissance screen and continues the work done by Sniper Div and Infantry Recce Wing to cross-deck
folk. As a result the
platoon deployed on
Ex SCORPION CLAW,
a 3 week exercise in
Salisbury Plain. The
main focus was to reach
our start states for Kenya in terms of MATTs and LFTT but this was a great opportunity to introduce some of the newer members of the Platoon to Light Forces Recce tactics and doctrine. The Platoon was able to train together for the first time since Christmas and had the opportunity to conduct some quality training focusing on navigation,
CTR techniques, marking and guiding and contact drills. Despite the extremely high pollen levels causing Cpl Mackenzie-Bell
to cry for 3 weeks, the Platoon gained a lot from the time away and returned to Palace Barracks much more prepared for Ex ASKARI STORM.
instructors between divisions and try to make training more compatible with each other.
After a well earned summer leave the Platoon has just begun a Light Recce Patrolman’s Cadre; split between theory in Palace Barracks and field work in BATUK. The nature of the Platoon’s various tasks up until July and also an influx of pax from the
Pte Hill spots something of interest
LCpl McDermott enjoying his new OP
A view from inside the corridor of a bush hide into the observation area
Pte Scott jumps into a surface OP to hide his baseball cap from the RSM
THE MERCIAN EAGLE