Page 31 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

Ex Cambrian Patrol 2019
Capt Tom Margetts
Exercise Cambrian Patrol is the British Army’s premier annual Patrol Competition, conducted over the Black Mountains and Sennybridge Training
Area in Wales. This year
over one hundred and
thirty patrols entered
with many foreign
armies in attendance.
Filipinos, Brazilians and
Georgians to name a
few. The competition
requires patrols to move
over 60km, carrying
their equipment, over difficult terrain. Troops must maintain their discipline at all times
as they face various scenarios to test their soldiering skills; CBRN, Minefield Clearance, Obstacle Crossing, First Aid, Artillery Missions, Vehicle Recognition, Radio Communications and Section Attacks are a selection of the long list of skills that Patrols must master to succeed on Ex CAMBRIAN PATROL.
Recce Platoon 1 MERCIAN entered a team with the aim of being awarded a Gold Medal. The team conducted a two-week training camp in Dartmoor and completed
a 40km TAB across Salisbury Plain to prepare. On the day of the competition
the team deployed onto Ex CAMBRIAN PATROL, delivered a set of orders and stepped off. The going was hard, right from the off, as the team pressed on with heavy bergens over the arduous Welsh ground.
Having successfully navigated a CBRN- contaminated area, the team conducted a Close Target Recce of the Enemy position
completed a series of scenarios to great success. As darkness closed in for the second time, the Patrol battled the Brecon weather as they moved to the final RV. The Platoon then delivered a detailed debrief of the two-day Patrol, and fighting sleep, then moved to the finish line.
Huge credit must go to any team that completes the Patrol, but for all teams, there follows a nervous wait to find out their respective results. At 1300hrs the following day, the team were informed that they had been awarded a gold medal for their efforts. The soldiers represented their Battalion
and Regiment fantastically and proved that MERCIANS stand up with the very best.
Troops must maintain their discipline at all times as they face various scenarios to test their soldiering skills
Cambrian Patrol Team - Gold Medal Winners L-R: Pte Jackson, Pte Bell, Pte Slater, Capt Margetts, Cpl Bothamley, LCpl Bellamy, Pte Marsh, Pte Williams
and moved towards the pickup point. However, first the patrol had to cross the Usk Reservoir to avoid a series of minefields – by the time the patrol entered the water it was 0100hrs and freezing.
At the pickup point, the Patrol were given
further orders, grabbed a quick rest
and cracked on. They moved at best speed towards Sennybridge, where they
Cambrian Patrol Training - The 1 Mercian team tabbing across Dartmoor in preparation for Ex Cambrian Patrol 19
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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