Page 34 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

A Soldiers View
Pte Bestwick
My first tour on Op CABRIT 8 has been a very productive. It has consisted of integrating with different nations, working closely with them, and seeing how they operate. I have gained a lot of experience working in the Battle Group Headquarters, with the Estonians as well as the French and integrating them into the Battle Group. Overall Op CABRIT 8 has been a fantastic opportunity to polish and hone my Signals ability and to make new friends and meet new people. Overall, a very positive experience. The best part of the whole operation was Exercise Spring Storm, which was 1 Estonian Brigade’s final exercise, which culminates with the Estonian conscript intakes passing out as trained soldiers. Seeing us work well with our NATO allies is a very satisfying feeling.
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RSO RSWO BSM
CQMS Tech Sgt Pl Sgt
Capt Jon McAloan WO2 Luke Barringham Sgt Ricky Henstock
(R Sig’s)
CSgt Thomas Edge Sgt Bobby Duffy
Cpl Lenroy Westfield
CIS Platoon
WO2 Luke Barringham
We were back on the coaches to our old friend Sennelager Training Camp (STC)
after Christmas leave, this time to conduct Mission Ready Training (MRT), and on arrival the CIS Platoon prepared for CAST(G). This was a busy time with most of the Platoon conducting not only there first overseas exercise but also their first Armoured Battlegroup-level exercise, this coupled
with a turnover in key appointments of RSWO Tech and CV Sgt, ensured that all Platoon members had to adjust to new responsibilities and an unfamiliar way of operating – but adjust they did!
Basic lessons on how to build, operate and live around the deployed Battlegroup Main HQ were learned (often the painful way) and the challenges of maintaining and operating the fleet in the field were also an eye opener to most of the Platoon. At this point a special mention must go to Pte Hall and Sgt (then Cpl) Duffy who successfully managed to ‘Mobility Kill’ one of the BGHQ Bulldogs in the only patch of sand in Woodlands Camp; ambush sprung.
After several weeks shaking out the HQ and successfully
completing staff and
digital training, the
days of isolation before flying to Estonia for Operation CABRIT 8.
The challenges facing us when we arrived were significant, and we were up against the clock to not only take over the Platoon and BGHQ platforms and equipment, but then shake out and ‘PACEX’ the BG. This
Pte Hall taking a moment before deployment on Ex Bold Eagle, OP CABRIT 8
ultimately rewarding tour, where the troops have learned and perfected their trade and skill sets over six months. We now look forward to getting ready to assume ‘BG2’ as part of NATO’s readiness initiative. I would like to finish off by thanking members of the Royal Signals from 21 Sigs, who were attached for the duration of the tour, and say farewell to the soldiers who are moving on as Regimental Signals Detachment Commanders and Regimental Signallers
to B and Dragon Company when we reorganise on return from operations.
Platoon then moved on
to the exercise phase
of MRT, set against the backdrop of -17-degree temperatures and 2ft of
snow. Once again this
proved to be a steep
learning curve for the
Platoon who had never operated in conditions as harsh.
After a successful MRT period it was time for some well-earned pre-tour leave to thaw out! The Platoon then deployed back to STC to conduct a mandatory 10
lead straight into the Estonian Brigade staff training with a pause of two days before deploying out on to
a 10-day integration exercise. Key activity came thick and fast for the first three months of the tour, but notable highlights include
Ex Spring Storm and the Adazi range package in Latvia where
Cpl Sukha assumed the additional role of BGHQ head field chef to the great delight of the BGHQ staff.
Op CABRIT has been a challenging but
The challenges facing us when we arrived were significant, and we were up against the clock...
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CIS Pl - Cpl Sukha’s improvised field kitchen LFX Adazi ranges