Page 42 - Mercian Eagle 2014

TWO TICKETS TO THE GUN SHOW – 3 Platoon – Lt Jimmy Harrison
Upon returning from Op HERRICK 19 with the 3rd Battalion, I
was delighted to be informed that I would have the privilege of commanding the Machine Gun platoon of Grenadier Company and subsequently attended the latest iteration of the Machine Guns course at Warminster.
As per the Army2020 model, all light role infantry Companies
will now consist of two regular rifle platoons and a regular machine guns platoon equipped with GPMG SF. In addition, we are scaled for a further reserve platoon and another Machine Gun section from our partnered Battalion, 4 MERCIAN.
Whilst getting to grips with the GPMG in the SF role (I had only used it in the light role prior to attending the course) was one thing, adapting to the amount of weight carried and the awkward nature
of the tripod and C2 sight was quite another. As a result, I’ve
found that physical and mental robustness are key to maintaining
a Machine Gun platoon’s capability – as my platoon will no doubt find when they attend the support weapons cadre in October- November! My experience as a rifle platoon commander has served me well, and given me the background required to understand exactly how an OC will want this manoeuvre support asset to be utilised and start to facilitate that as best I can.
After a successful initial foray with the Guns Platoon on
Ex POTENTIAL GRENADIER, we have set the conditions for a successful platoon to be built and with upcoming exercises with 4 MERCIAN, potentially in Lithuania, more Company training and then Kenya next year, the future is bright for the Grenadier Guns.
B (Malta) Company
OC
2IC CSM CQMS 4PL OC SGT 5Pl
MSG(B)
Maj T Kelly
Capt L Fitzpatrick
WO2 L Jones
CSgt A Hawkins
2Lt M Sones
Sgt M Katia
Lt R Jones and Sgt R Ritchie
Lt D Bell and
Sgt E Narukutabua
MAJ T E Kelly
B (Malta) Coy has undergone some significant changes since our last post, not least of which has been the addition of the Malta title, which we proudly embrace. Over 90% of the manpower has changed in the Coy and many of the stalwarts of bygone eras have moved on. The entire command team has changed, with the exception
of me; Capt Marriot has moved to OC
Mortars, CSM Cox to RQMS, Lts Silberman, Webber and Sgt Umney to ITC, Lt Sharland to BATUS, Sgt Couper (Wee Coups, to his buddies) to Afghanistan and then 1 Scots and Sgt Rigley to 1 MERCIAN; the thought crossed my mind as to whether it was something I had said. Despite this period of turbulence, the capacity to embrace change and remain flexible are intuitive to the DNA
of the British Infantryman and I can assure you the Coy remains fit, professional and ready.
The key highlights for the Coy have been the BG deployment to Kenya on Ex Askari Storm; it should be noted there was no shortage of volunteers when the potential for a trip to Nairobi was mooted in order to have a crack at Al Shabaab ‘holed up’ in the Westgate Shopping Mall. While this did not occur the Ex certainly did; Ex Askari Storm presented a near unrivalled opportunity to hone conventional warfighting in a rugged unforgiving wilderness. The sub unit thrived in this environment and was awarded the title of ‘Gazelle’ Coy by the BATUK staff
for the speed generated in attacks. After a successful Kenya the Coy switched focus and deployed on Ex Fallen Warrior – Gheluvelt 100. The Ex allowed the entire Coy to visit the Great War battle sites in which the Regt had fought; this enabled
B Company/Ex Askara Storm/Kenya/Oct 2013
From L to R Lt Webber, Lt Silberman, Maj Kelly, Lt Sharland, Capt Marriott/Ex Askari Storm/Kenya/Oct 2013
40 THE MERCIAN EAGLE