Page 59 - Mercian Eagle 2014

A Company
A Company, 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment on Op HERRICK 18/19 as the Armoured
Infantry Company, Aug 13 – Apr 14.
OC
2IC CSM CQMS Pl Comd
Pl 2IC
Major Kelly
Lieutenant Middleton
WO2 Woodward
Colour Sergeant Davis
Lt Love, Lt Lambert, Lt Teesdale
Sergeant Hopley, Sergeant Brooks, Sergeant Sweete
HERRICK 19 A Coy
A Company, 3 MERCIAN, deployed
on Op HERRICK 18 in August 2013,
six weeks before the remainder of 7th Armoured Brigade, to assume the role of the HERRICK Armoured Infantry Company (C/S KRYPTONITE) based in Patrol Base Lashkar Gar Durai (PB LKD) responsible for up to 400 personnel from 11 cap badges. Initially the Coy had a rather convoluted chain of command, being OPCOM to the ISTAR Gp, OPCON TSU LKG and TACON TSU NES. With temperatures in the low 40s and the Sub Unit deploying on a 10 day operation less than 48 hours post TOA, it would not be an exaggeration
to say that the first few weeks in theatre were fairly busy. The first serious challenge for the Coy was Op DAAS TAR MIN N1, the protection of Route 611 to allow the closure of Patrol Base OUELLETTE. This was an ideal opportunity for the Coy to put into practice the lessons learnt throughout MST and further develop its own TTPs
as OUELLETTE was transferred to the ANSF over a ten day period. As expected, INS activity was as focused on targeting the AI Coy as it was the Combat Logistic Patrols on Rte 611 but apart from a K-Kill IED strike on KRYPTONITE 20 on the final day of the deployment, the entire operation was a resounding success. This was then followed by a period of intense activity for the Sub Unit where A Coy deployed on Coy and Coy Gp operations for three of the next four weeks during which time PB LKD was also subject to a Suicide Vehicle Borne IED attack.
HQ 7th Armoured Brigade assumed the role of HQ TFH in early October and the Manoeuvre Battle Group, based on HQ 4 SCOTS, assumed command of the AI Coy. It was a privilege to serve under this BGHQ and a more professional and capable organisation would have been difficult to find. Operations then focussed on three key
Memorial service in Patrol Base Lashkar Gar Durai
areas, which were collectively known as Op MASSER DROST:
• Disrupting insurgent activity in depth of
the ANSF, thus supporting their will and
confidence
• Protecting ISAF Force Elements within
boundaries, including the defence of PB
LKD
• Protecting major routes within TFH AO
Operations continued apace for A Coy throughout October where, to name but
a few events: Our Fire Support Team kinetically struck an IED team; the Coy developed TTPs against the emerging threat of the Pillow Main Charge IED; KRYPTONITE 30 detained a key IED facilitator; the Coy were trained and validated as a Helicopter Assault Force and the Sub Unit redeployed on the ground from a disrupt operation to provide fire support 30km away for the Brigade Operations Company who were pinned
Maj Kelly and WO2 Fisher (KIA) preparing to deploy on patrol
Dismounts supported by armour on a disrupt operation in YAKCHAL
A Coy work to clean the HERRICK Warrior fleet in BASTION for redployment to UK
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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