Page 45 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

D (Dragon) Company
Maj Thomas Reynolds, OC D Coy
Life across the Regiment and DRAGON Coy continues despite the constraints and limitations that the COVID-19 pandemic
has placed upon us. The past year has seen the continued build and stock of the specialist Platoons, the preparation and training towards Ex ASKARI STORM and Op TORAL, the deployment of Anti Tanks/ Assault Pioneers to BAHRAIN as part of the protection team, and finally, Ex DRAGONS FIRE. We say goodbye to WO2 Liam Thomas and welcome the new Company
Sergeant Major, WO2 Russell Weaver.
I am immensely proud of DRAGON Coy
for the way that they have dealt with
this global crisis, remaining mature, understanding and flexible to the needs of those around them. However, what is most impressive is the self-sacrifice that both themselves and their families have made whilst patiently waiting to be reunited - all without complaint or drop in professionalism or output.
We now look forward to 2021 – some
exciting and challenging events are in store. A move from CYPRUS to WEETON will
see DRAGON come together and focus
its efforts on training and progression, switching fire to Sp Wpn Cadres taking place in WARCOP over the next couple
of months. We then fall into leave to get refreshed and recharged just in time for us to deploy to KENYA in order to beat 1 LANCS on Ex ASKARI STORM.
BAHRAIN Force Protection Deployment
Capt Charlie Hunt, OC ANTI TANKS
I have the pleasure and good fortune to describe what is widely considered one of 2 MERCIAN’s more exotic current deployment opportunities. A hybrid Platoon from DRAGON Company, consisting of both Javelin and Pioneers, were lucky enough to spend four months of their year in Bahrain.
The role offered the chance to operate alongside the Royal Navy, an experience that none of us are likely to get the chance to repeat. The United Kingdom Naval Support Facility or ‘UK NSF’ is the Royal Navy’s permanent presence in the Gulf and accommodates five Naval ships and over 1,200 men and women at any time. The British base is contained within the Bahrain Military facility and adjacent to the US Naval base, allowing integrated
operations throughout the Persian Gulf. The Platoon’s role was to provide security for the camp, a job they are
well versed with but in an environment that was new to all of us. The Platoon was quick to immerse themselves in the Naval intricacies, including learning ranks, uniforms, types of ship’ and most of all entertaining the alien Naval jargon!
Although 2 MERCIAN’s time in the Mediterranean has left us all efficient
at operating in hot conditions, August
in Bahrain took us all some time to get used to. This did not deter the Platoon however, in their focus on making
the most of the comparative routine, developing their fitness and training specialisms ahead of Ex ASKARI STORM in January 21. Section Commanders
thrived with their independence seizing every opportunity to organise training, fitness and Naval integration. The headlines included an increasingly competitive 5 a side tournament held under floodlights each week and a camp 5km challenge running every day through August. Special mention has to be made to Javelin Platoon’s 1 Section, as victors from the summer’s football league.
The greatest takeaway from the Platoon’s time in Bahrain will be the wealth of exposure and depth of understanding for our Navel counterparts. The opportunity to explore the large Frigates and swap training tactics with the Royal Marines has left all of us with
a broader understanding of the British Military.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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