Page 44 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

Ex EAGLES UNREST
Sgt Ross
It’s been a hectic 2020 for most people across the globe. This can also be said for the soldiers of C (Kohima) Company who have been extremely busy on high readiness being able to respond to issues throughout the Middle East. During
the COVID-19 pandemic, C Company completed Ex EAGLES UNREST, which is a mandatory, externally validated, CT2 level Public Order Exercise during the hot month of July in Cyprus.
Having been a PL SGT in the Company for over 18 months, I have seen the utmost professionalism and soldiering ability from everyone in this Company and there were no worries going into the exercise. The Company was missing key personalities including the Coy 2IC and both platoon commanders, however, this was not a stumbling block for the soldiers who performed to the highest standards as expected and outshone previous units who had completed the exercise. Due
to the hot temperature in Episkopi the exercise was conducted in the beautiful mountainous village of Troodos. The mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus and is home to the highest point in Cyprus, which
is called Mount Olympus which has an impressive elevation of 1,952m.
RAF Troodos is a small camp that is predominantly used for Adventure Training which offers great mountain biking and
hill walking. Having spent 2 months in Troodos as Force Protection PL SGT around the same time the year before, I knew that this would be a good time for the soldiers to enjoy the beautiful scenery, as well as the lower temperatures which were in the low 20’s.
However, the soldiers also knew
Ex EAGLES UNREST was a critical output for the Coy and was not to be taken lightly. Thankfully the majority of the Company had completed a public order exercise before and had the experience to bring the new soldiers
on and in line with the high standards that were expected. The week started
off with kit issue and basic practical/ theory lessons to get the platoons back up to scratch. As the days progressed the platoons started getting tested at platoon CT1 level scenarios and included
force on force between the platoons. As expected, both platoons wanted glory and it normally ended in some heated encounters, but this prepared us physically and mentally for the battle ahead which was a CT2 level exercise against a determined adversary.
On the final day it was the Coy’s time to shine, and shine we did, getting “greens” on all scenarios and impressing all involved. The company deserved all the praise as they gave 100% and literally put their bodies on the line to protect each other and to fly the flag of Kohima Coy.
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C (Kohima) Company
The year of 2020 will be forever known
as the year that never got started for
both serving personnel, their families and dependants, and the rest of the nation. Established and resourced plans to conduct training were shelved in early March, as Cyprus and most of Western Europe began an extended period of restricted movement. At the Company level this affected leave, Platoon and Company level BCS training and validation, and the forecasting of commitments across the entire Bn for the remainder of the year.
As restrictions continued, the Bn were required to balance risk against readiness and the Company responded. The priorities were to maintain our ability to rapidly deploy a Public Order capability and this was delivered through Ex EAGLE’S UNREST, which we conducted in the remote altitude of Mount Olympus in the Troodos Mountain Range. As movement restrictions began
to be relaxed from early July the Company flew back to the UK to enjoy some well- earned leave, the first in several months. This was the first time Kohima soldiers had experienced life in the UK since lockdown and initiated them with the new process
of pre-flight tests, provided by the NHS, and the actions-on for late or positive test results. The remainder of the Company who had taken leave on island were poised to support those flying back.
In Q4 2020 the Company maintained readiness and provided critical Force Protection tasks to both RAF Akrotiri and as the island’s Operational Reserve for Public Order and police backfill. Concurrent to these commitments we also prepared and redeployed back to the UK in November. This involved the movement of all Company owned equipment, personal effects, soldiers and their families, pets, and cars. On the other side of the air-bridge, the Company
will be established in Weeton Barracks by mid-December, ready to take relocation leave and Christmas leave prior to build up training and deployment to Ex ASKARI STORM – providing not only a change of pace but a welcome change in scenery. Bring it on!
THE MERCIAN EAGLE