Page 16 - QDG Year of 2020

14
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
early on with numerous reports coming back to the Regiment about their excel- lent ‘bedside manner’ and engagement with the general public, we were rightly proud of all their efforts.
It was at this time also that B Sqn chain of command was warned off that it would be commanding the hybrid QDG/RY deployment to Poland on Op CABRIT. And so ensued frequent trips to Bovington to begin integrating the team that was to be known as Cassino Troop (read Sqn). With the total number of people from B Sqn within Cassino Troop small (OC, SSM, SQMS, Tp Ldr & Tp Sgt) the Sqn was then committed
to helping train the deploying
Cassino Troop. B Sqn 2IC,
Capt Joe Kite, led an impres-
sive and excellent training
package across the summer
months. Perfectly pitched,
the support he and the rest
of B Sqn gave was impres-
sive; from basic lessons, to
supporting mentors, to range
support not least from char-
acters such as SSgt Beal
(HQ Sqn) and Sgt Chater
who dug out blind to ensure
the Troop hit the correct start
state for operations.
With Cassino Troop
deployed in late September
the remaining Sqn (50+
people) continued to train
and compete in Regimental activity with an additional six RY in the Sqn who were to train up on the Javelin Anti-Tank missile prior to deploying (the first RY to do so).
The first task as B Sqn Rear Opera- tions Group (ROG) was to compete with two teams in the Mullens Cup. This saw Lt Barham and 2Lt Fetherstonehaugh re-ORBAT into two formidable troops ready to tackle the challenges that would be thrown their way. Despite some excel- lent performances in testing conditions on this occasion the prize escaped the Sqn and we look forward towards the next challenge.
Organised into small teams, B Sqn stood ready to take on the challenging Otterburn hills on the QDG SERE Exercise. After re-organising the Sqn
into equal teams mixed with the Tranche 2 Royal Yeomen the teams set off. Capt Joe Kite set off first with his motley crew from SHQ, followed quickly by Lt George Barham’s team from 1st Tp and 2Lt Ned Fetherstonehaugh’s team of whippets from 3rd Tp. SHQ found themselves overtaken on the 2nd checkpoint but on the other side of the area, some 60km away, Cpl Donovan De Jongh and the other half of 1st Tp sped off from the pack, going on to eventually win the compe-
tition with a mixed QDG and RY team. As usual in adversity some of our most junior soldiers shone as a young team of JNCOs led by Cpl Leighton Pritchard, they however ran into trouble two thirds of the way round and, thanks to the quick thinking of LCpl Tom Harcourt and Tpr Jordan Moore 443, averted disaster as they CASEVACed their team leader off the hill to safety in challenging conditions.
After some well-earned recovery time, the ROG was further re-organised, as the Regiment re-ORBATed for future opera- tions in Mali as part of Op NEWCOMBE. In a drive to retain crew stability and team cohesion B Sqn gave C Sqn its well drilled 1st Troop to bolster their ranks, while also losing significant numbers in less cohesive groups to A Sqn who were also being stood up to a similar strength.
“Get in step!”
It was a sad end to a strong Sqn but pleasing that so many B Sqn personnel, who had developed lots in the last year, would now be deploying on Ops.
The remainder of the Sqn started preparing for a short deployment to Kenya in early 2021 to provide Force Protection at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) in the safe hands of Lt Dickie Fulloway and Sgt Owain Davies (AKA Dav 220). This came with numerous challenges, as we welcomed some volunteers from across the brigade, namely five individuals from our paired Regiment, The Royal Yeomanry, as well as some enthusiastic infanteers from 3rd Bn The Royal Anglian Regiment and 4th Bn Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment, a real Regular/Reserve grouping contin- uing B Sqn’s theme of Regular/Reserve integration.
A hastily organised training package was put together, and after receiving a plethora of different vaccinations, the Force Protection Platoon was ready to deploy. The only barrier in the way was Christmas Leave. Thankfully all returned from leave in one piece, ready to deploy. As this article is being written B Sqn are deployed in both Poland and Kenya on Defence Tasks. 2021 promises to be a different year, reconstituting the Sqn post Poland and Kenya, taking on the chal- lenges that will be presented. The Sqn not deploying to Mali are developing their skills awaiting the next moment to add value as a Sqn be it home or abroad.
BM
Despite some excellent performances in testing conditions on this occasion the prize escaped the Sqn
LCpls Hopkins and DT plan their next night out in Dereham
After an epic struggle LCpl Hopkins approaches the finish line
Completely and utterly carparked