Page 59 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

Pte Goldsmith from Runcorn CHESHIRE. Swapping kit with his Estonian counterpart
tour. We then immediately went into a succession of exercises that left very little room for breathing space. The combined arms and international nature of the exercises was impressive with some days feeling like an air show as Typhoons, helicopters and an assortment of drones constantly buzzed
Pte McLaren From Grantham observing his arcs
continue to run camp and ensure that Force Health Protection is delivered for the benefit not the detriment of all.
With four more months left on tour at time of writing and uncertainty over the end of tour due to continuing COVID-19
Members of 4 MERCIAN with A Company 5 Rifles
4 MERCIAN personnel deployed:
Maj B-W (Burscough, Lancashire) WO2 Buckley (Leyburn, North Yorkshire)
Sgt Birks (Crewe, CHESHIRE) Sgt Walshe (Derby)
Cpl Etches (Mansfield, Nottinghamshire)
LCpl Turner (Thrapston, Kettering) LCpl Collins (Matlock)
Pte Goldsmith (Runcorn, CHESHIRE) Pte Sanderson (Stockport,
Greater Manchester)
Pte Davison (Nottingham)
Pte McLaren (Grantham)
Pte Parker (Bewdley, Worcestershire) Pte Freeman (Evesham, Worcestershire)
Pte Mullee (Derby)
Att to 4 MERCIAN from 5RRF: Fus Brayley (Birmingham)
over our heads. In a progression of exercises from Patoon to Brigade level, in incredibly tough terrain, the soldiers of
...digging a trench that
you never get in to is a unique modern challenge
frustrations, morale
remains high despite the falling temperatures. Op CABRIT is an excellent opportunity to visit, understand and partake in the defence of all three Baltic states. It is an honour to be part of the national defence against a real and credible threat and
4 MERCIAN settled
really quickly. Pte
Sanderson becoming
a reliable dismount
despite his strange breakfast choices, Pte Goldsmith suffered with motion sickness much to the wider amusement of the Apples and LCpl Turner slotted in perfectly with the Mortar Pl.
5 RIFLES is all the more richer for having
4 MERCIAN soldiers adding value and getting “stuck in”. So, whilst the Riflemen may be “Swift and Bold” they know they’re enhanced with a few plucky solders ready to “Stand Firm, Strike Hard”
This 9-week phase of exercises culminated in Op FURIOUS AXE, an exercise involving over 3000 soldiers from 19 NATO nations and 3 x Battlegroups slugging it out in the plains and forests of Latvia. The soldiers of 4 MERCIAN learnt all about defence in the modern battlefield, which it transpires, involves a lot of digging as it always has except in the modern era, deception is as important as protection, so digging a trench that you never get in to is a unique modern challenge. The soldiers did well throughout with LCpl Collins and Pte Freeman coming in for particular praise in the Apples for their hard work and willingness to get stuck in (for old men!).
As we now enter a phase of recovery, Cpl Ethes is making sure we all well fed with excellent food in the DFAC and Sgt Walshe has deployed to Lithuania on Ex IRON WOLF, an exercise well known to the men of 4 MERCIAN. Whilst back in Tapa Camp the winter closes in and the temperature is really dropping. WO2 Buckley and Sgt Birks
Pte Davison on Range Sentry
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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