Page 62 - Mercian Eagle 2013

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fighting AI Coy assault, with no thought
to C-IED or Afghan TTPs. Thankfully TEMPEST was soon over and the Coy deployed from Castlemartin to STANTA in the light role on Ex PASHTUN PANTHER (CFX) run by OPTAG. This was a fantastic training opportunity; well resourced with AH, ISTAR, AFGHAN actors and a full range of OTEP equipment and with a pro active, knowledgeable and forward leaning OPTAG staff. The Coy learnt a great deal when supporting an ANSF led detention operation and followed this up with a very successful Base Realignment and Closure / Transition
The myth of armoured infantry soldiers being unable to fight in the light role was truly laid to rest
operation where of note Cpl Copestake was stuck in a bog for over 40 minutes! The myth of armoured infantry soldiers being unable to fight in the light role was truly laid to rest during this exercise where
the Coy went from strength to strength in preparation for their FTX.
The Coy then spent another glorious
20 hours on a coach back to Fallingbostal
to deploy on a Coy training exercise with Warrior to adapt the light role skills learnt on PANTHER to AI tactics. This was followed immediately by a move back to Salisbury Plain for Ex PASHTUN WARRIOR, a bespoke AI Coy FTX. Unfortunately we were one Warrior down after an unnamed CSS Regt managed to drive the vehicle on the back of a low loader into around four lorries on the M4 but that still left us an AI fleet of 20 Warriors
QRF WRs in CP DURAI
Patrol through Afghan Village in Bergan-Hohne
The HERRICK 19 Armoured Infantry Coy deploying on their FTX
THE MERCIAN EAGLE