Page 47 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

1 Platoon
Lt Blake
Pre-Deployment training (PDT) for Op TORAL in Afghanistan began for me
with the Foxhound Commander’s course
in Bovington. This allowed me to gain experience commanding, driving, and operating with the Foxhound. This was a great opportunity to get away from camp to a more relaxed environment and get hands on new equipment. The Company then deployed on Ex KABUL EAGLE in Swynerton. This presented an opportunity to work with both the Foxhound and my platoon on exercise, developing TTP’s and SOP’s. We have been training for the worst day in Kabul, which could entail complex attacks, suicide bombers and drone attacks. Training for the worst scenario allows us to feel fully prepared, and tackle anything that is thrown at us. The exercise also allowed some junior soldiers to step up to team commander and team 2IC roles as all my NCOs were away on courses in preparation for Op TORAL.
Once it was finally announced that Op TORAL wasn’t going ahead we turned
our attention elsewhere and were able to conduct other training instead. For example, I was able to run an Urban Operations week in the Skills house on the Weeton back
area using simunition. The week gradually increased in complexity beginning with low level skills and drills lessons and ending with force on force attacks onto the house. We were also able to hone our skills at night, an important skill to maintain. Simunition is a
fantastic training aid as it forces soldiers to use the correct drills and adopt the correct positions or they risk being hit by a painful paintball round. Everyone really enjoyed the week as it provided the rare opportunity to train in the Urban environment and to use simunition.
Much of the platoon have been deployed all over the world since Op TORAL was cancelled. I have soldiers supporting
Ex KHANJAR OMAN 21, being “driver’s mates” on Op ESCALIN and in October 2021 I deployed with soldiers from 1 platoon and across the Battalion on
Ex STEADFAST LEDA in Poland. Our tasking was to provide force protection for the Allied Rapid Reaction Corp’s (ARRC) exercise through manning sangars and
ensuring that personal electronic devices (PEDs) did not go into classified areas. During this period, I also organised
a battlefield study to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. This was a fascinating yet harrowing experience for the platoon to learn about one of the world’s worst atrocities. Overall, our time in Poland was a fantastic opportunity to see more of the world, work with other nations and even other regiments from the British army whom we do not usually work with. The platoon has enjoyed the routine and time away from the fast-paced camp life.
Once the platoon is able to congregate, we will enjoy Christmas leave before deploying on Ex ASKARI STORM in Kenya once again.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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