Page 19 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

The Anti- Tank Platoon, Sennelager, Nov 20
1 MERCIAN Battle Group. Dedicated training estate and good results at Castlemartin earlier in the year meant the Platoon could train well beyond the confines of the Annual Crew Test (ACT). Integrated Live Firing Tactical Training with up to 3 Warriors and 4 missile posts operating concurrently was a new and challenging experience for the majority of the Platoon
as well as demonstrating the sheer firepower that we offer. Congratulations must go to LCpl Briscoe, Pte Railala and Pte Falconbridge – dominating ACTs as the best crew in the Battalion by some margin; a bitter pill for the Recce Platoon and B Coy to swallow!
The return to Sennelager for collective training and then to Estonia will bring the
always exciting opportunity to live-fire the Javelin weapon system – LCpl Whyte and Pte Rogers have a missile with their name on it after their outstanding performance during January’s Anti-Tank cadre with plenty more still to be won as we train over 10 new faces to be Javelin Operators.
Having started the year on exercise in the cold and rain of Catterick, the Platoon finished the year on exercise too, albeit in the relative comfort of Sennelager’s CATT simulators. The Platoon has been invested
Sgt LB takes command of a Warrior on exercise for the first time
in and progressed significantly despite the challenges of 2020 – we are a bigger unit, better trained Anti-Tank soldiers and more experienced armoured infanteers. Bring on Op CABRIT 8 in 2021.
The Platoon bode a fond farewell to Capt Courtney who leaves to take on a role as SO3 Senior Wing at the DFSp Div, SWS, and CSgt Crawford who moves to B Coy on promotion. We congratulate Sgt Hoyte who has promoted to the role of Tech Sgt and welcome Pte Wild from 4 MERCIAN.
Sniper Platoon
Sniper Platoon has had a turbulent
start to the year; with several of the badged snipers moving on we had an influx of new soldiers moving across
into the Platoon. That, coupled with the challenges faced with COVID-19, meant the platoon didn’t really shakeout till early September. That being said, we have made rapid progress in order to prepare us for Op CABRIT in the spring of next year. The six weeks in camp leading up
to our Germany deployment were filled with basic lessons, nav exercises, building ghillie suits and getting hands on the .338 sniper rifle and sharpshooter. It is crucial when learning a new trade that we have
a good base knowledge of our job role and are able to safely handle the weapon systems that we will be required to use. We also had quad bike courses running
concurrently to this training which saw several of the Platoon getting their quad qualification in time for Germany.
After some welcome leave the Platoon deployed to Germany in late October
for Op CABRIT pre-deployment training. During this time, we completed several ranges, starting with our basic infantry ranges, including ‘fire team attack’ and ‘section in defence’ shoots. Completing these meant we could then move on to our role-specific ranges. Unfortunately, after a week on the .338 range a worldwide ban on the ammo meant that the following week of field firing was to be conducted using only the sharpshooter. Not to be beaten, we were still able to use these ranges to develop our tactical approach to firing, hitting targets at up to 1,000 metres.
Our pre-deployment training has also consisted of an introduction to stalks, observation lanes and general sniper fieldcraft. This has been very beneficial to the new soldiers coming into the platoon and will put them in good stead to complete their sniper cadre whilst deployed in Estonia. It has also been
a good opportunity for the badged members of the Platoon to revise the basics and practice their teaching, passing their knowledge and experience on to the new soldiers.
With another two months pre- deployment training in January after some well-deserved Christmas leave, the Platoon will be in in good state to deploy to Estonia.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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