Page 46 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

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A (Grenadier) Company
Major HJ Russell-Blackburn
Another exciting year has passed, and this has truly seen everything that an Infantry Soldier would want in their career. As
a Company in 2021 we have had people deploy to Kenya, Swynnerton, Warcop, Oman, Poland and in support of the fuel crisis, not quiet but the experiences from everything have enhanced us and we
have delivered what we were asked to. Shortly after my last article we packed up
in Cyprus and completed our final Akrotiri guard prior to flying back to the UK, Weeton was certainly a step change in climate and routine for us all, but we quickly settled in and hosted our new Brigade Commander on PT prior to the Christmas stand down.
As 2021 dawned we instantly began preparations for our next deployment, Kenya, this wasn’t to be without its challenges, we were mid-way through the pandemic, and we were affected whilst in country however the Grenadier spirit led
us onto the battlefield in good spirits and we were able to become a force to be reckoned with whilst being tested to our maximum. The deployment demonstrated to the Grenadiers how tough but also how rewarding life could be as an Infanteer, and we left Kenya proud that we as a Company had been capable of achieving all our goals with a much-reduced task-org.
deploy on individual mission specific training as well as collective training events and whilst we now know that this was not put
to the test of deploying we were none the less upskilled with qualifications that further enhance us as Infanteers. As the situation in Afghanistan changed, so did our possible role and as a Company we prepared twice to deploy in the various stages of the final few weeks of the Afghanistan campaign,
as we all know, nobody deployed
however the Company
After the deployment we said a
fond farewell to some key members of
the Company, I pass on my thanks and look forward to working once again with: Capt Ed Ireland who
went to work as an
Adjutant, WO2 (CSM)
Umney who has since
been the RQMS (M) in
1 MERCIAN and CSgt
(CQMS) Coates who
went to work in West
Midlands University
Officer Training Corps.
We welcomed Capt
Sean Leach, WO2
(CSM) Rigley and CSgt Chadbourne. To all other Grenadiers that have left, you leave with our thanks, and best wishes.
The Spring and Summer was dominated by our preparations to deploy to Afghanistan on Operation TORAL, this period saw large numbers of the Company
demonstrated outstanding resolve and the attitude was absolutely what was required by all ranks – well done to all!
As the Autumn set in, we settled into a familiar battle rhythm, working Monday to Thursday in Weeton with challenging
CO’s PT on a Thursday. One highlight was the Company trip to London to attend DSEI – the world’s largest military arms exhibition, most in the Company were unaware of
the event but everybody that travelled to London had a brilliant day looking at the multitude of equipment on show that is available to purchase.
Now as the days end sooner, we have the focus of returning to Kenya in the New Year. The Company will predominantly operate as the PRT for 1 PWRR and we will ensure that the Company range package
is as interesting and tough as it was for us in early 2021. As always, the Company doesn’t run on its own and every Soldier and their family contributes to our success, so from me - thankyou for the continued push on whatever we are asked to do, and I look forward to seeing where we get to over the next 12 months.
The deployment demonstrated to the Grenadiers how tough but also how rewarding life could be as an Infanteer
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