Page 50 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

OC: Maj Bell
2IC: Capt French / Lt Breen CSM: WO2 Howard / WO2 Webb CQMS: CSgt Narukutabua
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C (Kohima) Company
Major Andy Bell
I am always aware when I sit to write a summary of the year how every CO/OC/Pl Comd says that “this has been a really busy period,” but I am going to do the same. The Battalion and Company are now well over halfway through our time in Cyprus and have settled into the pace of Cyprus Ops – and pace certainly is the right word, with the rotation offering a predictable forecast of events but a hectic variety of activities. Force Protection dominates a lot of our time with
direct contributions to operations in Iraq, Syria and the broader Middle East being made clear by each chain of command and service to which we work. The ringing praise which has accompanied the end of each rotation is to be expected, considering the high standards that Kohima Company set themselves and which have been met or exceeded in nearly all cases.
An undoubted highlight of the year was Ex MAPLE RESOLVE on the Wainwright Training Area in Canada during May
and Jun 19. Those who have deployed to BATUS will probably be familiar with the terrain, the weather (thankfully a bit different to the -35°C
role against the very people we had just been planning on fighting with. Our initial concerns about the possible negative impact of the OPFOR role were quickly
laid to rest by our new Canadian OPFOR CO who was very clear that we were not going to fight this according to the exercise directors schedule. The training we had put in place proved to be just as effective against the Canadian Forces as if we had been fighting with them. Despite operating outnumbered, thoroughly outmatched in
C (Kohima) Company in Paramali Village, Ex AETOS FURY, Nov 2018
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
experienced on the
recce in February) and
mosquitoes built like
medium lift helicopters.
Early consultation with
our future Canadian
commanders suggested
infiltration, innovation
and aggressive action were going to be
the hallmarks of our approach. These preparations took place concurrent to multiple other tasks as part of our Ops 2 commitment, the least predictable and often most manpower-intensive of the rotations.
The adage of ‘no plan surviving contact with the enemy’ was, however, in full effect, as our initial direction was changed completely less than one month before deployment – we were now in an OPFOR
supporting assets and less mobile compared to our Armoured enemy, C Coy fought their
way to an enviable reputation – two Canadian Battle Groups of Armour and Infantry can attest to this after
being destroyed twice in the same day operating against us. The basics, done well, proved to be battle winners time and again.
The excellent exercise culminated in
the Company’s R&R in Edmonton, where trips to the Alberta Museum, local football and baseball games and numerous visits to White Avenue capped off the deployment in a truly memorable way. Interest in postings to BATUS have gone up significantly.
Inevitably since the last Mercian Eagle there have been several changes in personnel. Lt Darkings is now passing
on his experience and Yorkshire sense
of humour to recruits in AFC Harrogate, replaced by 2Lt Davenport. Lt Bough shortly departs for ITC Catterick to be replaced by 2Lt Baggley. These changes in Officer personnel put further responsibility on the SNCO and JNCO ranks during transition. Their performance through the year reassures me that there will be no issues.
Two departures which will be most keenly felt are amongst the SNCOs of the Coy.
Sgt Dennis leaves the Army after 22 years of Colour Service. He has been a true servant to the Coy and Battalion and his sense of humour and selflessness will be sorely missed. Also moving on, this time
to an RQMS post with the UN in Nicosia,
is CSM Howard. I personally will miss his advice and counsel, and the Company
will miss his enthusiasm and experience. His hallmark has been the care for those under his command and I know that this
will be continued by his successor, CSM Webb. Both are old C Coy servants and CSM Howard, although leaving with a heavy heart, can be proud of his legacy and be safe in the knowledge that the Coy is in good hands with his successor.
The basics, done well, proved to be battle winners time and again
OC, Maj Bell, and CSM, WO2 Howard on Ex AETOS FURY