Page 12 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

A Squadron – The Empire
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
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The Empire entered 2022 post a well deserved Christmas leave to finish the final preparations for deployment on Ex. Wessex Storm 5/21. This battlegroup exer- cise would validate the Light Dragoons, and the squadron, as being deemed ‘com- bat ready’, poised to assume readiness as part of the JEF Light Brigade. Prior to deployment SHQ took part in a CSTTX in Catterick, operating from the warmth of CAST North whilst BGHQ practiced their change of command procedures and BG estimates on Catterick Training Area. In hindsight, acclimatisation to the cold may have worked in A Squadron’s favour...
Deploying to the luxurious accommoda- tion at Knook Camp in early February, The Empire’s finest got to grips with preparing the fleet for deployment onto Salisbury Plain Training Area. At the same time, Lt Griffiths and Capt Alderman did some excellent work running sweep up ranges for elements of B and C Squadron to ensure that the BG met the start states for the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) that would signal the start of the exercise. At this point, whilst cold, the weather had remained largely pleas- ant. This wouldn’t last. Storm Eunice provided A Squadron with ample cover to
Fighting through the urban environment on Ex Wessex Storm
advance to screen during the CALFEX; a baptism of fire for new crew commanders and drivers alike. Despite the weather, the CALFEX was a success, with the squadron delaying the enemy through sideways sleet and gusting winds whilst the remainder of the army stopped training. Cpl Pennington managed to successfully engage targets with Javelin whilst each troop made effec- tive use of NLAW in anti-tank ambushes. The CALFEX ended with the squad- ron withdrawing over the River Berril in time for the engineers to initiate their RESDEM...which resulted in a blind, wait 30. Luckily the squadron were primed to
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