Page 32 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

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THE MERCIAN EAGLE
CO Foreword
Lt Col Rich Grover MBE
As we find ourselves sandwiched tightly
between the end of our unit move from Cyprus, which finished just before Christmas amidst
the uncertainties of COVID-19 that we are all contending with, and a pending deployment to Kenya on ASKARI STORM at the end of Jan 21; I am proud to say that our people, as always, have delivered.
us as a Battle Group, and we’re looking forward to being put through our paces by Uncle Shove and his team! On our return we will spring immediately into preparation for 2 MERCIAN’s sixth deployment to Afghanistan since 2007, on Op TORAL at
the end of the year. We are fortunate to have this operational focus, and it is a real positive for
2 MERCIAN within the wider 4 Inf Bde/1 (UK) Div team.
Alongside our busy forecast of events for exercises and operations, we are also looking forward to laying down our foundations in Weeton Barracks, making this our home in Lancashire, with a working environment that is utterly inclusive and enjoyable.
A key part of this will be the battle rhythm, coupled with sport and adventurous training, and whilst COVID-19 may have driven down much of this activity over the last year, we intend to bring this back into focus as soon as possible.
We have returned from a location that has immense strategic significance for our country; we have had a varied and exciting deployment,
Our time in Cyprus was both
challenging and rewarding.
As we moved to Cyprus, we
took up the mantle of Regional
Standby Battalion and were
immediately called upon to
deploy two of our Coys to
Afghanistan in support of UK
interests. Whilst we maintained
our deployed forces, our
commitments in Cyprus continued, with our remaining Coys supporting the RAF at Akrotiri, and providing security to the other strategic sites at Troodos and Ayios Nikolios. Each of the Coys have managed to conduct CT2 exercises in either Canada, Jordan or Kuwait, which have provided valuable training opportunities as well as key defence engagement. Small operational deployments were also
undertaken in Beirut and Iraq, and at all times there was a high tempo of activity and maintenance of readiness which required a focus from
all. Throughout, our Welfare Team and families have been extraordinary. Their resilience and fortitude have provided our soldiers with the strength and support they have needed to handle an intense two-and-a- half-year deployment.
and our people have been outstanding in everything
they have done. We have completed a complex unit move overlaid throughout
with the constraints of COVID-19, and we have taken all opportunities available to prepare ourselves for our deployment to Kenya. I have no doubt that the agility, tenacity and robustness
that Cyprus has imbued in
our people will set us up for extraordinary success moving forward. 2021 will be
fast paced and challenging; we are ready. Stand Firm Strike Hard.
2 MERCIAN handing over to 2 YORKS in Cyprus after 2 and a half years on the island
2021 offers much opportunity and excitement. Our deployment to Kenya on Ex ASKARI STORM from Jan-Apr is a welcome return to warfighting and will provide a much-needed cohesive event for
...we’re looking forward to being put through our paces by Uncle Shove and his team!
I have no doubt that the agility, tenacity and robustness that Cyprus has imbued in our people will set us up for extraordinary success moving forward
2MERCIAN