Page 52 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

Op TIMBERN
Cpl Reeves
After a well-deserved leave following
Ex MAPLE RESOLVE, we arrived back to Salamanca Barracks in Episkopi, Cyprus. The Platoon was tasked with taking over the Op 2 element of Op TIMBERN, which required us to provide Force Protection to the Ayios Nikolaos camp. This short turn-around time required a high level of professionalism from all members of the platoon to meet our deadline.
All commanders left Episkopi early to start the handover-takeover process. The main body then came up on the Sunday as soon as the commanders were established and had taken full control
of the positions. The Platoon was eager to get stuck into work routine after two weeks at home on leave, the excellent food hall and gym were a great way to get back into combat fitness.
When the Pl was complete at Ay Nik, we were welcomed by the Unit Security Section (USS) where we received a detailed security brief which set the standard expected for the next 8 weeks.
A (Grenadier) Company conducted a detailed handover and the lads from
that Company were happy when they were relieved. They could finally enjoy their first beer of the summer on return to Episkopi.
Everybody achieved their goals when it came to fitness and using their time off effectively. When lads were not at the gym, they had the facilities to go to the cinema and there was often a short trip down to the beach. I would happily say
During the next eight
weeks we conducted
several duties and
tasks across numerous
posts including
patrolling tasks mostly
using HILUX vehicles.
We conducted
searches of staff and
vehicles, coming in
and out of compound areas. The hours were divided between the teams as best as possible and everyone was happy with their timings and getting into a good routine.
Out of work, we really excelled in fitness, there were a lot of sports organised, including football and numerous CrossFit-style exercises.
morale was of a high standard as it bought the Platoon together.
A week before our scheduled departure things started to
get put into place for the move back with packing up our kit and equipment.
During this time period you really get a good feeling that in a few days you will be back in your own home comforts and back with the Battalion.
I would happily say morale was of a high standard as it bought the Platoon together
50
Bn Annual Shooting Competition
Lt Bough
In March 2019, 2 MERCIAN undertook the Battalion’s Annual Skill- at-Arms Meet; designed to test the marksmanship ability of soldiers working as individuals and as part of a Section. Each Company was to field an 8-man team.
The shooting practices included 5 assessments ranging from urban contact drills with a pistol to a falling pate shoot as a section with rifles. The culmination of all assessments was a section level march and shoot competition to take place on the Friday.
There was a great level of competitiveness shown throughout
the competition with teams firing over 1800 rounds of ammunition
a day. The competition really heated up on the Friday when teams from different Coy’s competed head to head on the march and shoot. HQ Coy were the current leaders scoring excellently on the shooting assessments, with C Coy a close second. However, that was all to change on the march and shoot competition where C Coy completed the 2-mile march ahead of HQ Coy leading them to victory overall.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE