Page 21 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

light role mortar platoon. In basic conditions the platoon bonded and became a credible and effective warfighting group. Midway through our cadre the Platoon received the news we would be deploying to Germany to conduct training prior to our deployment to Estonia. The Platoon took the news in their stride, excited for an opportunity to try out their newfound mortaring skills.
For many in the Platoon this would be their first time deploying overseas with the Battalion, the excitement soon waned with the onset of a 15-hour coach journey to Sennelager. With the majority of the NCOs back in the UK learning the intricate art of Warrior gunning and commanding, it fell to Sgt Strong to deliver a solid regime. The Platoon took part in some excellent training, learning the art of fighting in wooded areas,
Pte Soldiers get to grips with the 81mm mortar under Cpl Tamang’s instruction
Reconnaissance Platoon
2020 was due to be very different for
1 MERCIAN Reconnaissance Platoon, with a deployment to Canada on Ex PRAIRIE STORM and completing pre-deployment training for Op TORAL in 2021 as the headline activities. Whilst our ability to train and deploy have been limited by the events of this year, the Recce Platoon have made the best of every opportunity, converting
to a new vehicle platform, conducting
Ex TALLINN DAWN in Germany and poised to begin operations in Estonia in 2021.
With the majority of the Platoon instructing on Short Term Training Teams
in Ukraine during 2019, Recce began the year with some excellent low-level training to brush up our drills and return to working as a platoon. Navigation, recce patrols, and escape and evasion skills were all practiced on Salisbury Plain. However, the Platoon
OC Mortars opens the Mortar Cadre and instructs on the principles of mortaring
and experiencing the difficulties of directing mortar fire in a flat wooded environment.
This year has been a year of uncertainty for the Mortar Platoon, with the change of operational focus from TORAL to CABRIT and all the associated work behind the scenes to make that happen. From private soldier to SNCO the men of mortars have thrown themselves fully into the challenges presented, making the most of the available opportunities. The Platoon have fired more bombs this year than the last 3 years combined, trained and qualified 40 Mortarmen and re-roled all MFCs to the Warrior platform. From a conflicted and uncertain year, the ‘Men of Iron’ have risen and triumphed, and will continue to do so on operations in 2021.
A mortar detachment waiting for a fire mission in the early morning German sunshine
Company Overview:
Pl Comd: Capt T Margetts 2IC: CSgt D Lawrence
Warriors at Sunrise/Sennelager Ranges, Germany/Nov 20
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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