Page 9 - Mercian Eagle 2017

A (Grenadier) Company
OC
2IC CSM
WSM
CQMS (M) CQMS (T) RSDC
Major Page / Major Cooper
Capt Cartwright
WO2 (CSM) Davies / WO2 (CSM) Timperley
WO2 (WSM) Timperley / WO2 (WSM) Dugmore
CSgt Fowles
CSgt Mills
Cpl Sukha / Cpl Bott
OC’s Foreword
After a very busy 2016, 2017 proved to be no different! Having only just returned from Op FIRIC, it was only a couple of months before A (Grenadier) Company was again deployed on a major exercise: the Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE). The aim
of this unique exercise was to bring the defence industry closer to the user, in order that industry could better understand the challenges we face and the requirements we have, and for the Army to experiment with some of the latest technologies available. An enduring challenge with modern equipment procurement is that it
is difficult to know what to ask for, without knowing what is out there! Likewise,
it is hard for industry to know if their technology has a military application without an understanding of what we actually do. This experiment sought to close that knowledge gap. The process began with a series of ‘Dragon’s Den’ style events where industry representatives pitched their products and ideas to a panel from Army HQ, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and Defence, Science
and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). Those that made the cut could take part. The benefits were significant for both sides:
not only did the Army get the opportunity to test which future technologies it may wish to invest in, but for industry, it gave a level of unparalleled access to the military user, allowing them to test and evolve
their equipment in an extremely short timescale. For both sides to maximise
the opportunities of the AWE however, it would require exercising troops willing to think, experiment, openly discuss, and work with industry. And here A (Grenadier) Company did not disappoint! The exercise was a fascinating experience, allowing
the Company to develop its own skills
and drills, whilst also supporting future equipment procurement and development.
On conclusion of the AWE, A
(Grenadier) Company quickly faced our next challenge. We were to be divided
into three, with approximately one third supporting B Company in BATUS, one third supporting C Company on Public Duties
in London, and one third supporting the Rear Operations Group in Bulford. Whilst obviously sad to be broken up – albeit temporarily – each of these roles was extremely important and we were proud
to be supporting them. The following 6 months passed rapidly, and we soon found ourselves reforming in September with a new OC and new CSM.
The first order of business was to reform the Company, with the next big event on the horizon being Ex LIGHTNING ACE 2, where A (Grenadier) Company were to provide an armoured infantry company to
the 3 RIFLES mechanised Battlegroup.
This provided a real focus to the remainder of the year, and would bring us to within weeks of Christmas. But, having not properly used Warrior in well over a year, we had to re-establish our armoured skills. At an individual level, we were already in a good position thanks to the hard work of the WO2 (CSM) Timperley, quietly pushing men through Warrior driver, gunner and commander qualification courses. Within weeks of reforming, the Company deployed to Castlemartin for a week of mounted gunnery, a week of dismounted shooting excellence, and in between the two, a week of recruiting activity and adventurous training in the Mansfield / Chesterfield area.
While individual courses continued, we conducted a week of low-level training using the Army’s new ‘Battlecraft Syllabus’, which meant we arrived at 3 RIFLES raring to go. Not only that, but the time spent honing our urban skills meant that it was
a section of Grenadiers, led by the newly- promoted Cpl Lander, who won ‘best section’ in the excellent urban ops training week, ran by Dragon Company.
Ex LIGHTNING ACE 2 ran for almost the whole of November, where we joined
3 RIFLES BG to play OPFOR. We fought the 1 SG mechanised battlegroup, who were accompanied by a German company equipped with the impressive 8x8 Boxer. This was A (Grenadier) Company’s largest contribution to the Battalion’s ‘SSET’ (Sustainable Support to Experimentation and Training) tasking, and by the time we returned, SSET was almost over, and our duty as the UK Standby Battalion had begun.
All that remained, was to hand back 12 ‘TUF’ vehicles, conduct a few more minor SSET tasks, and then deploy a Platoon on Ex SCORPION’S STING in support of the armoured reconnaissance course run out of Warminster. But these tasks were neither
Pte Gurung belays a fellow Grenadier over the steep cliffs of Pembrokeshire, September 2017
trivial nor straightforward, however. For
the TUF handover, led by CSgt Mills and Sgt Lord, crews worked tirelessly to turn a well-used fleet around in just one week – an outstanding achievement. Ex SCORPION’S STING included some particularly harsh weather, and involved missing the
festivities of Christmas week. By the time post-exercise administration had been completed, the majority of the Battalion had fallen out for Christmas stand down, and we were happy to join them!
Overall, an extremely busy year, but one that that left us more experienced and better trained, set to face the challenges of 2018.
A (Grenadier) Company conducting urban training, Copehill Down Village, October 2017
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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