Page 41 - Mercian Eagle 2017

2 Pl Review of the year Sep 16 – Aug 17
OC Lt Ben Williams
Pl Sgt Sgt Gareth Whotton Section Commanders:
Cpl Luke Croft Cpl Sam Jennison Cpl Jamie Grove
Lt B Williams
2 Platoon, A (Grenadier) Company has experienced a hectic year preparing for
and deploying on Op TRENTON 3. Both deployment and training presented new challenges for the men of 2 Platoon, they had to change their focus from conventional war fighting to supporting the Royal Engineers on UN Operations.
The period began with an influx of young soldiers with Privates Goldie, Clarke, Fogarty, Burns and Duggan being lucky enough to be placed into 2 Platoon. They were not given much time to settle before beginning training for their upcoming deployment to South Sudan. The men
of 2 Platoon would deploy alongside soldiers from the Royal Engineers as part
of a UK Engineering Task Force. Though, Infantrymen by trade, we would fulfil Assault Pioneer tasks alongside Force Protection duties. We received training from our colleagues in the Assault Pioneer Platoon, a great opportunity to learn new skills and in some cases renew a few old ones!
After completing Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT), we were given our first opportunity to work alongside the Royal Engineers during a two week integration exercise
LCpl Hoyte / Basic Infantry skills were put to the test in Brecon / March 17
and range package in Barry Budden Ranges. Whilst deployed in FOB locations, 2 Platoon received demonstrations from the Royal Engineers on their equipment and capabilities and later
delivered training on
Infantry tactics and
weapon systems.
The Platoon’s junior
soldiers used this as
a chance to show off
their skills and drills,
whilst the JNCO’s
ran challenging and
informative lessons
that tested the Royal
Engineers and attached arms.
The real challenges came on the MRX (Mission Rehearsal Exercise) as this was our confirmation exercise. The Platoon was split into two locations alongside our Engineer counterparts. We faced many tough serials across both locations, ranging from road traffic accidents with civilian casualties,
to public order scenarios which pushed
Pte Clarke / Delivering a brief to Comd TRENTON- Lt Col Katie Hislop / Bentiu / South Sudan / August 17
our restraint and ability to diffuse complex situations to the limit. This was particularly demanding for the junior soldiers, but
they displayed their professionalism under pressure. Pte Goldie demonstrated his ability to work well under pressure whilst treating a civilian casualty during an intense public order scenario. We also practiced our
Assault Pioneer skills, with Pte Salt getting special praise from his Royal Engineer OC for his efforts on constructing a loading bay.
It was a tough 10 days, but it proved that the men of
2 Platoon were ready to deploy in support
of UNMISS and confirmed that our training had not been in vain.
The men of 2 Platoon were fortunate enough to travel with the rest of
the Company to Arnhem on a battlefield study. This gave them an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the 2nd Battalion, the South Staffordshire Regiment and their legendary exploits during Operation Market
2 Pl / Brave the weather to conduct LFTT/ Catterick Training Area/ Feb 17
‘Key to our approach was to dominate the night and disperse across as much ground as possible’
Members of Bentiu Force Protection Platoon / Refreshing skills learned during Pre-Deployment Training / Bentiu / South Sudan / Sept 17
Garden in 1944. Once returned, all that was left to do was to take some deserved pre-tour leave before 2 Platoon became divided between two locations in South Sudan, Malakal and Bentiu.
It has been a fast paced and challenging year for 2 Platoon, and Op TRENTON 3
is still in its early days. Undoubtedly, the coming year will pose more trials and situations. I have no doubt that 2 Platoon will rise to the challenge.
The UN camp in Malakal / South Sudan- home to most of 2 Pl for 6 months / July 17
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