Page 69 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

HQ (Champion) Company
OC
CSM CQMS COY SPS
Maj B Mitchel/ Maj N Pratt
WO2 Thomas CSgt Hodgkinson Cpl Kilburn
Maj N Pratt
If feels like everybody in Headquarter Company blinked for a second and another 12 months have passed by.
There is a guarantee in life, time continues to tick away, and we have no power to
stop it. We know the past because we have lived it, we can influence the present because our actions define us, but the future is uncertain and unpredictable, but what we all have inside us is hope, and as we look into the future and read the various articles in the Mercian Eagle we must do so with hope for the future.
resort hosted by the British Army Training Unit Kenya. A series of Confirmatory exercises would test the Battalion in all areas of operations, before the eagerly anticipated deployment to Afghanistan
later in the year. Again, high recognition
to the Quartermasters department and G4 enablers who were tirelessly working around the clock to meet the
The Battalion found itself in a unique position, something probably not seen for a number of years. There was white space in the forecast of events and after a little head scratching, every opportunity was used to embrace Battalion life, Soldiers had time to complete adventure training activities, development and cultural days
After handing over operations to 2 YORKS the Battalion and families returned to the UK from Cyprus. Coordinating a Unit move with families in excellent order is no easy task, praise and recognition
go out to all those involved, especially
the Quartermasters Department and G4 enablers, Unit Welfare
Team, Motor Transport
Platoon, CIS Platoon,
and the list continues.
Unfortunately, HQ Coy
OC Maj Baz Mitchell
enjoyed Cyprus a little
too much and returned
on Posting as British
Forces Cyprus Episkopi
Garrison Quartermaster.
We wish Baz and his
family the very best for the future.
The Battalion barely had time to unpack boxes and establish a routine before they were checking passports, plundering boxes, and sat back on a flight, this time heading out to Kenya to an all-inclusive
Unpacking boxes, bags and establishing a Battalion Battle Rhythm was key for Soldiers and families settling into Weeton before taking some well-earned leave. After leave keeping the foot pressed hard on
the peddle driving forward was the priority. Focused on the deployment later in the year
Operations supporting the NHS in the Battle against COVID, Op Escalin supporting the UK National fuel shortage. A number of Soldiers deployed overseas in supporting roles to Somalia, Kenya, Oman and soon the Battalion parade of 520 was down to around 150-200 on parade.
Another year, another chapter looking through the key hole of Battalion life of
2 MERCIAN and so as this article draws
to an end we look forward with hope and excitement for the future. The parliamentary statement of the Integrated review has
just been announced on the 25 November 2021 and 2 MERCIAN will re-role with
1 MERCIAN to become a New Boxer Battalion, a multirole armoured fighting vehicle capability that will be committed on operations ith the Mercian Regiment leading from the front, carving it ways through history again, Standing Firm and Striking Hard.
Coordinating a Unit move with families in excellent order is no easy task, praise and recognition go out to all those involved
demands of Brigade movers and RAF flights. All activity enabled
the Battalion to step
off in Kenya with the right equipment in the right place and at the right time with the right mindset. The Battalion returned to Weeton Barracks in late April 21 after recovering from Kenya in good order.
The Battalion found itself in a unique position, something probably not seen for a number of years... there was white space in the forecast of events
were organised and courses all started to fill the diaries.
1 UK Division and
4 Brigade also found itself in a strangely unique position in
that it had an entire Infantry Battalion of 520 Soldiers, not committed to Operations or overseas exercise, that could now be tasked to fill gaps on UK resilience
a series of Fox Hound driver training courses were delivered by Sgt Hoe and his team in the MT. Various exercises, ranges, medical training, CATT and CAST training was keeping everyone focused and the battalion soon became busy again. The unpredictable nature
of the future as mentioned earlier came as a surprise when it was announced later in the summer the deployment to Afghanistan was cancelled as part of the draw down of Soldiers from Afghanistan and 2 MERCIAN were stood down from the task.
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How the UK’s Defence Medical Services transformed in conflict, 1990–2015
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Available via the Museum of Military Medicine (www.museumofmilitarymedicine.org.uk) and main bookshops
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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