within FSTs over this period has led to real strength and banter amongst both Battlegroup internal and external indirect fire assets. The culmination of mortar and 105 mm joint firing was co-ordinated fire missions using high explosive and illumination rounds in a complex night ambush. By the end of Ex Grand Prix, the Platoon was feeling confident and comfortable working with our Royal Artillery counterparts and their cannons!
The Drums on parade with families for the visit of The Colonel in Chief
Mortar Platoon by Captain Ben Powell
The Mortar Platoon spent a busy summer providing Regular Army Assistance to Training (RAAT) tasks with our mortars in various locations across the country including Salisbury Plain, Brecon and Otterburn. Although a busy time, it provided the Platoon with a considerable amount of training value due to the large amount of ammunition available. This gave the soldiers new to the Platoon immediate first-hand live firing experience.
The Platoon command structure and Mortar Fire Controllers (MFCs) departed early to
Kenya to support 1 SCOTS on Ex Grand Prix and were joined by the Battalion in September. Kenya gave the Platoon the first opportunity to train alongside 88 Battery RA and an introduction into the Fire Support Team (FST) grouping system to be used on Op Herrick 12. The temperature and terrain at Archer’s Post seemed to replicate that of Afghanistan and proved a little hot for some – namely Cpl Hines – but I am sure that it is not the first time that he has sat on the mortar line in his pants!
The extensive 10 day live firing package brought mortars and 105 mm light guns together co-ordinated through the FST commanders. The opportunity for bonding
In January, the Platoon conducted cadre training with a strong performance across the board, the huge amount of live firing in 2009 obviously paying off! Rolling straight into CALFEX in Otterburn and with the weather nowhere near as friendly as Kenya, we received permission to live fire from the FOB locations overhead the Rifle Company troops giving everyone a feel of what it could be like firing in theatre. We were not helped by the weather, however, and, more than once a day, the mortar line had the unenviable job of digging the sunken base plates out of the mud and snow. Pte Charlesworth is to be commended on his persistence in retrieving equipment - an art he appears to have honed over the past few months!
The final exercise of the pre-tour training was a three day joint firepower exercise in RAF Waddington where the MFCs got the opportunity to operate with all other
Cpl Bolger - Alpha MFC supporting CALFEX on Ex Grand Prix
A mortar detachment running through dry drills at Archer’s Post The Mercian Eagle
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