Page 48 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

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5 Platoon
Cpl Beardsley
After returning from a well-deserved leave period, 5 Platoon deployed to Akrotiri ranges for 2 weeks of live fire ranges. Despite the Mediterranean weather not living up to expectations with some heavy rain reminding us of home, we conducted some rewarding shoots. After initially zeroing our rifles we moved on to complete our ACMT qualifying us for the year. Once every man had passed this basic requirement,
we moved on to the more exciting CQB
and automatic shoots, standing us in good stead for our upcoming exercise in Kuwait later this year. As the first time on the ranges this year the range package provided a good opportunity to dust off some cobwebs and was enjoyed by all.
On conclusion of the range package
and after a weekend to reset ourselves
the hectic training program continued
with public order training looking ahead to the Company’s external evaluation. The first week involved getting hands on with the public order equipment shields, batons and the infamously uncomfortable protective pads. After some theory lessons from Sgt Clarkson, Cpls Smith, Grant, and Griffiths CGC taught the basic formations and tactics required to dispel an unruly mob of rioters. This proved particularly useful for the newer members of the platoon, for many
of whom this was their first taste of public order training.
Remembrance on Op TIMBERN at Troodos Station
rather challenging. The weeks scenarios proved particularly useful for me, having not long returned from the section commanders battle course it gave me a valuable chance to command a team of soldiers outside
the hills of Brecon. Not all the fun was had by Dragon Company
training there was no time to rest as
5 Platoon moved back to Salamanca barracks to take over camp guard. On the weeks we were not on guard there was time to complete some training in the form of lessons, section attack lanes and a night NavEx. This was a good opportunity to nail down some SOPs for Kuwait later in the year. There was also time to conduct some platoon level fitness and have a go at the Army’s new Role Fitness Tests (RFT) for the first time.
During this period, 5 Platoon got the opportunity to show off their newly polished public order drills during a display put on
at Happy Valley for several MP’s visiting British Forces in Cyprus. The next day, myself and some of the other NCO’s from the platoon ran a range for the visiting MPs, while keeping a close eye as they fired the SA80 and pistol. After 8 weeks of camp guard and training it was time for the much-anticipated flight home for 2 weeks of summer leave, well deserved and much needed by 5 Platoon.
The first weeks
training set us up
brilliantly for the
following week’s
Ex EAGLE UNREST,
for which we travelled
up the mountains to
Troodos camp. The
cooler weather made
training 10-fold easier,
providing a chance to
further practice and test
our public order skills
against scenarios set up by the directing staff. Dragon Company played the part
of unruly rioters excellently. Armed with hundreds of large baking potatoes to throw at us to simulate projectiles that may be used in a real-time riot, they made things
however as later in
the week the roles were reversed, and
we became the rioters while Dragon Company took on the scenarios. This gave us the chance for a little light- hearted revenge after Dragon Company’s overzealous rioting, adding some flour and eggs to the potato
projectiles. A highlight of the week was the petrol bomb inoculation and learning the best way to move through and extinguish any petrol bombs should we ever face this threat for real in the future.
Still carrying bruises from public order
the chance for a little
light-hearted revenge after Dragon Company’s overzealous rioting, adding some flour and eggs to the potato projectiles
Petrol bomb inoculation
The receiving end of a petrol bomb
THE MERCIAN EAGLE