Page 23 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

Assault Pioneer Platoon battlefield craft syllabus
Assault Pioneer Platoon & Corps of Drums
Pl Comd: Sgt G Strong
This year has been very different for the Assault Pioneers Platoon but we have grasped every opportunity to show the Battalion what we can bring to the battle. We have practiced minefield recce and minefield clearance drills to keep the Battle Group moving forward, whilst also improving our counter mobility drills where we want to BLOCK, TURN, DELAY or DISRUPT the enemy. One of the ways we can do this is by abatis where we cut or blow a tree so that it can block the road
to deny it to the enemy. The Platoon has also been attached to the rifle companies where we have refined our basic soldiering skills and taught about the different
types of breaching during urban training. One highlight of the year was putting A (Grenadier) Company through some tough and realistic training as we played enemy for them by establishing realistic obstacles for them to breach through in the attack. In preparation for Op CABRIT 8 the Platoon deployed to Germany to conduct mounted and dismounted live fire ranges.
In and amongst all of this other activity we have also invested heavily in armoured crew courses for Bulldog, Warrior and Quad, to allow us flexibility in how we deploy. We have also gained external qualifications, including the Basic Assault Pioneers course, where our soldiers are taught how to deliver the four principle roles of a pioneer platoon: mobility, counter- mobility, survivability and demolitions. Skills as diverse as power tools operation, how to make dirty water potable, and how
to recognise and clear a minefield were
all learnt and practiced. Soldiers have
also been away on the chainsaw operators’ course, which
will be vital
in the forests of Estonia.
As a secondary responsibility the Pioneer
Platoon also holds the ceremonial role of the Corps of Drums. This capability had been neglected over the last few years,
but with the opportunity to perform for Commander Field Army we used the
return from dispersed working to rapidly regain this skill to show off the Platoon and Regiment to the highest levels in the Army. We will continue to regrow this capability and with Pte McGlone qualifying as a Class One musician we can now instruct new
musicians into the Corps.
Ptes Heathcock and McGlone practice how to conduct abatis
Cpl Adams instructs Asslt Pnrs in contact drills whilst on exercise with A company
Assault Pioneers conduct a chainsaw operators course
Pte Allwood instructs a rifle platoon on building entry methods
THE MERCIAN EAGLE 21
Assault Pioneers conduct a minefield breech