Page 61 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

6 Platoon
Lt Williams
January 2022 will see 2 MERCIAN return to Kenya, but this time we will be deploying as the enemy force.
It presents a unique opportunity to get back to doing green soldering but without the pressure of being validated. We can practice the essential skills and drills that, when combined, make us a powerful fighting unit. The training has already started in Weeton Barracks and in the last few months alone, we’ve deployed to; Lancashire, Catterick, Kirkcudbright and Warcop. During this period, we have developed
the section and platoon level skills required for a successful deployment to Kenya.
mean the sections can operate at range with limited support and wreak havoc on the battlefield.
This will be the last ever deployment for 2 MERCIAN
and, although
it’s devastating
that we are being amalgamated, we are determined to go out with a bang by winning an underdog fight against a larger force.
When we last deployed to Kenya the UK was in its 3rd lockdown which had an enormous
impact on our time in Kenya. Due to the COVID risk, we could not enjoy all the extracurricular actives Kenya had to offer ranging from exciting AT to Safaris, all of which we had heard so much about from the more senior
members of the company. This time, we want to make sure we enjoy it all. There is a trip to climb Mount Kenya being planned, lodges you can book and, hopefully, we might get to spend some time in Nairobi.
Not only did COVID mean we did not get to properly experience Kenya, but it also had a severe impact on the outreach work the British Army
is committed to. This time we have organised dedicated teams to head out into the local villages so they can help build schools and teach lessons with the aim of improving the quality of life for the locals.
We know returning to Kenya will be a challenge. We will be fighting a larger force, but we are determined not to roll over and play dead. We will make sure to give PWRR a run for their money and hopefully be able to enjoy some decent R&R along the way.
After completing ASKARI STORM less than a year ago, we know when and where the PWRR Battlegroup will be most
vulnerable
which we can
use to our
advantage. Our
current training
is focused
on working in
small section
level teams
that can move
around unseen
by the enemy
which can set
up on location
well before they know we’re there. The soldiers of B (Malta) Company completed two gruelling 8-mile marches loaden with kit and equipment. This, coupled with the emphasis on navigating at night, will
...although it’s devastating that we are being amalgamated, we are determined to go out with a bang by winning an underdog fight against a larger force
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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