Page 16 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

5 Platoon
Company Overview:
Pl Comd: Pl Sgt: Wr Sgt:
2Lt George Fossey Sgt Michael Carroll Sgt Brett Fellows
2020 was an odd year for 5 Platoon.
For much of it, COVID-19 meant our personnel were dispersed and their training had to be conducted over Zoom. Online lessons and tests each day kept soldiers focussed but returning to camp after summer leave was the motivation everyone needed. Straight away, we deployed on Ex MALTESE LANDING. This honed both our urban skills in the Inflatable Wall Training System and other areas through various lessons which were designed to polish our low-level infanteering ability. While COVID-19 had put a dampener on training up to this point in the year, after summer leave
5 Platoon had a new focus and we were ready for a challenge. It came with the decision to rapidly deploy to Germany.
The five weeks of planning before deploying to Germany went by in a shot, and with everything in place the Platoon was deployed in good order. With no time wasted, personnel found themselves on the ranges the day after they arrived in Germany and we began climbing through the progression of training with a mixture of armoured and light role shoots. Life
in Sennelager was fast paced with
long days on the ranges, often with
the Platoon working late into the night. Facilities around camp included football pitches and an athletics track which the Platoon utilised at the weekends. Inter- section sports tournaments were also
run often to provide a bit of competition between the sections.
With COVID-19 always at the back
of our minds, restrictions were put in place to prevent the virus from spreading around camp. Companies were given different meal timings to ensure the safety of our soldiers. Groups of people were not allowed to congregate outside around camp. Everyone was still free
to leave camp to visit the surrounding areas however with Germany also imposing a form of lockdown during our stay, there was a risk that there would
be limits to what our soldiers could do. Adventurous training has managed to plug this potential hole. Each weekend, soldiers from 5 Platoon tried their hand
at mountain biking and kayaking. Having done mountain biking myself, I can
say from experience that the trail in the Hartz mountains is fantastic. There is
also planning in place for adventurous training opportunities in the new year including mountain biking, kayaking and even the potential for skiing. The skills that 5 Platoon soldiers learnt while in Germany will definitely benefit the Platoon in Estonia.
14 THE MERCIAN EAGLE
6 Platoon
Company Overview:
Pl Comd: Pl Sgt: Wr Sgt:
Lt Ben Arnold
Sgt William Saunders Sgt Jason Evans
2020 began with Afghanistan on the horizon and 6 Platoon working to ensure we adapted our armoured expertise to operate effectively from Foxhounds on Op TORAL. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic we remained resolute, developing ourselves via lessons on Zoom and Strava. Through distanced learning we improved our fitness, enabling us to beat our other fellow B (Malta) Company Platoons in the Malta Cup half marathon challenge.
On being switched onto Op CABRIT the men of 6 Platoon returned to training with a ferocity which reflects the professional attitude of our soldiers. Without doubt this has been shown in the way in which we have attacked light role training, striving for excellence at every rank. Our shortened pre-deployment window for Sennelager supplied an excellent opportunity to start our ‘crawl’ phase of training, seeking to nail infantry basics and set ourselves up
to succeed. Navigation lessons, section attacks and urban training gave the men of 6 Platoon the skills necessary to hit the ground running in Germany. On arrival to Germany, 6 Platoon were ready to start progressing our training into increasingly complex scenarios. By utilising the wide range of training available on the light role ranges we were able to perfect our tactical communication, weapon handling, and battlefield awareness. 6 Platoon started
at individual fire and manoeuvre, moved through grenade ranges, fire team attacks, and then onto section attacks. Importantly, our new soldiers had a chance to develop skills learned in training.
Once our basics had been perfected,
6 Platoon moved to an urban training area where we concentrated on operating in
this environment. In a welcome change of pace, the week started with lessons and developed into practice attacks which created a progression of training that enabled 6 Platoon to perform at its best. It is in this environment that the Platoon really started to develop significant cohesion and well-rehearsed tactics. The standout areas during the week were ‘method of entry’ lessons with ladders and the hollow houses,
Stairway assault, Sennelager, Nov 20
Pte Jennings on a ladder, Sennelager, Nov 20
where instructors could mentor soldiers in real time.
A ‘platoon in defence’ shoot supplied a great culmination to the light role ranges. Seemingly now proven as a Company norm, 6 Platoon led the way and were first down range. Overall, we were all content with the shoot; it was a successful start considering that it was our first time operating together with live ammunition as a whole. The lessons learnt were also invaluable and will be taken onto further training.
Overall, 2020 has been overwhelmingly positive due to the attitude fostered by the men of 6 Platoon. Following a long hiatus during distanced learning, we returned
to ‘green’ training with an intensity and professionalism across all ranks which enabled us to develop and progress. The Platoon has also bonded well during this time. With many of our private soldiers not long out of training we stand in a position to continue to improve. By the time we deploy to Estonia next March we will be in good stead to achieve armoured and light role excellence as we continue to nail the basics and improve.
6 Platoon on the platoon in defence range, Sennelager, Nov 20