A gentle build up of Section and Platoon Compound Clearance ranges were useful in blowing out the cobwebs that Christmas leave had built up. The CALFEX was split into two two-day stints, allowing the Soldiers to go home after completing the build up training before returning on a Sunday night to take part in the CALFEX itself.
Sgt Malone resupplying by Quadbike
the Exercise with all the aggression and determination that has characterised C Company men throughout PDT.
The Exercise started with a cordon operation to enable a Shura, or meeting, to take place between the ANA and the people of Shar Karez. Through this, we gathered information which assisted a larger Shura the next day between more senior officials. During both missions, men from C Company were given the rather thankless task of clearing and securing routes, providing checkpoints and satellite patrols. Once the operation had finished, 8 Platoon remained on the ground to provide a permanent presence in the area of Shar Karez. 6 Platoon were seconded to the Mastiff group to provide them with some much-appreciated Infantry expertise. During a dominance patrol, they happened to stumble across a significant weapons cache and take a prominent detainee, although he was later released due to incorrect procedures.
Following the relief of 8 Platoon by 9 Platoon, the Bayonets were again tasked with clearing and securing a route to another Shura, this time in the village of ---Poom Poom: this included the clearance and holding of a river crossing point. Once again, C Company’s part of the operation went without a hitch. It was clear that the TTPs of C Company Group were now becoming slick and effective.
The final operation was the one which C Company had been waiting for with baited breath - a deliberate strike operation onto an enemy IED facility nicknamed compounds POSH, BABY, SPORTY, GINGER and SCARY. The news that we would insert by support helicopter was met with the usual banter of “so we’re tabbing in” and “are they real helicopters or heli-bedfords?”. Following the Battalion ROC Drill, there was a last minute change of plan but, again the Bayonets showed their professionalism and flexibility to overcome this with the minimum of fuss. The assembly area was
The Mercian Eagle
quite a sight to behold as was the LZ; a number of soldiers took the opportunity to record the RAF doing some synchronised helicopter landing on their mobile phones. After the chaos of the helicopters, there was a brief lull before 9 Platoon was launched. They were to provide the initial thrust into POSH before 6 Platoon could seize BABY. Following this, 8 Platoon would exploit SPORTY and GINGER with a platoon of the Polish attachments culminating on SCARY. Despite restrictive rules of engagement, the operation was completed successfully and all callsigns withdrew apart from a skeleton contingent who secured the area until the Royal Engineers Search Team and ATO had completed their taskings. All in all, a challenging week on the Plain but rewarding as well: the Green Machine excelled itself again and we felt well and truly ready for the forthcoming challenges of Op Herrick 12.
CALFEX by Lt Rich Sawyer
The delights of Otterburn Training Area in January did nothing to distract the men of C Company from the task of the CALFEX.
The CALFEX started with a FOB defence night shoot. The Battle Simulation effects that the PRT had set up were excellent and the reality that they gave to the situation was extremely useful and inspiring, particularly for the younger and more inexperienced soldiers. To add to the noise and the realism, the FSG fired HMG and GMG and an impressive display by the mortar team added to the experience. The FOB came under attack frequently throughout the night and the Company had plenty of chances to rehearse their drills for coming under both indirect and small arms fire. It was a solid display by the Company; particularly of note were the Junior NCOs who really earned their pay with accurate and well-disciplined fire control.
The following day, the Company was involved in a clearance operation which included Compound Clearance, Counter IED drills and essential life-saving first aid. Again, the assets were impressive and the artillery fire, air and aviation made the whole exercise very exciting. The Bayonets were eager to get stuck in and were not daunted by the river beds used as approach routes that seemed to be favoured by the Platoon Commanders. The Compound Clearance drills were thorough and the Counter IED and immediate First Aid drills were seen to be of a good standard, emphasising how much the Company had learned throughout their Pre-Deployment training. Even the removal of the OC from the exercise after abandoning his trademark 5 and 20 metre checks could not hide the fact that C Company had had a good day and were relishing the next challenge.
Sgt Maj Heaton briefs Sgt Evans during the FTX in Stanta
October 2010 17
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