Page 5 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

It seems only moments ago when
I sat down to write my previous foreword. It is safe to say that all of us have experienced yet another unique year. After an especially difficult 2020, this year has seen life ease back into a ‘new normal’; our calendars have begun to fill back up and day-to-day activities have slowly returned to how they once were. However, while there is comfort in the feeling of normality, there is still some way to go.
At the time of writing, the nation has received over one hundred million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with the booster programme now
in full swing to prepare our nation for the future. The Army’s efforts on Op RESCRIPT have shifted through the course of the year, with greater focus now on the transport of vital PPE supplies to hospitals and care homes.
Earlier this year we saw the initial
details of the Integrated Review
emerge from the Defence Secretary,
the Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP. There has been much interest vested by many into the soon-to-be established Ranger Regiment, which will see manpower from the SCOTS, PWRR, LANCS and RIFLES form part of the newly established Army Special Operations Brigade.
Details of the review included that the
Mercian Regiment will merge its First
and Second battalions by October 2022.
Planning for the merger is well underway
to allow a smooth transition focussing
on looking after our people as well as
maintaining our rich heritage. Looking
forward the new 1st Battalion The Mercian
Regiment will become the first British Army Infantry Regiment to specialise in the Boxer Armoured Fighting Vehicle.
While I know that some may see the merger as a disbandment of the second battalion, I wanted to take
this opportunity to assure our Regimental family that this
is not the case. The merger will see the two battalions
merge together to form a new 1st Battalion focussed on excelling in all we do, which means we will consistently remain operationally deployable. The merger will also see the regiment change over to the Queen’s Division and the closing of the King’s Division. Our tenure in the King’s Division was short; it has been a pleasure to serve alongside our sister
regiments: the LANCS and the YORKS.
Throughout most of 2021, the 1st Battalion was deployed on
Op CABRIT in Estonia, leading a multinational battlegroup as part
of the eFP (enhanced Forward Presence); much of their activities are reported later in this Journal. The Battalion has spent a significant portion of the year enhancing Euro-Atlantic security to deter our adversaries.
As of writing, a STTT (Short Term Training Team) from the 1st battalion have concluded a deployment to Malawi, delivering United Nations Pre-deployment Training to the Malawian Armed Forces.
The beginning of 2021 also
saw the 2nd Battalion deployed
to Kenya as part of Ex ASKARI STORM; a gruelling exercise that takes place in the intense heat
and arduous terrain which aims to prepare for operational deployment. While the 2nd Battalion were due
to deploy to Afghanistan on Op TORAL post-ASKARI STORM this was overtaken
by events and Op PITTING. However,
early 2022 will see half of the 2nd Battalion deploy back to Kenya to act as the OPFOR as Task Force HANNIBAL. On their return, work will continue toward ensuring a smooth merger to establish the new 1 MERCIAN by Oct 22.
The 4th Battalion has seen deployments on exercises SAXON SHIELD and
SAXON LANCE, in Otterburn and Warcop respectively. Ex SAXON SHIELD saw our reserve force deploy on a 10-day exercise
in snowy March conditions with focus on the Battlecraft Syllabus and individual skills. Later in the year
Ex SAXON LANCE saw soldiers deliver a Specialist Weapons Cadre for a 16-day deployment. Our 4th Battalion remains ready to support the Regiment on its various deployments.
I remain immensely proud of all personnel in the Regiment and continue to be grateful for the hard work and grit of
all soldiers. We have all come a long way since the initial lockdown back in March 2020. As we look toward what I’m sure will be a very demanding and packed 2022, I would like to wish everybody well, and I look forward to speaking to you all once again next year.
Foreword
Lieutenant General Ian Cave CB Colonel of the Regiment
THE MERCIAN EAGLE 3