Page 24 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
OC
SSM
HQ Squadron
HQ Sqn has spent all of 2022 support- ing the regiment on a multitude of Exercises, Deployments and Operations whilst maintaining our commitments as lead unit within Gaza Bks. In true Light Dragoons fashion, the Sqn has delivered at every turn.
An extremely busy year which started right from the off with the Sqn preparing themselves for a regimental deployment on Ex WESSEX STORM. This involved various driving and training courses, G1 administration, collecting vehicles from every corner of the UK, all alongside our day job of delivering the output required to enable the Sabre Sqns to hit the start states for the forthcoming training year. Hampered in our preparations due to the ‘on the bus, off the bus’ forecast of events, every department has rolled their sleeves up, dug deep and set the conditions which has underpinned every success the LDs have had this year.
First, elements of the Sqn deployed on Ex WESSEX STORM in late Jan to take over Knook Camp in readiness for the arrival of the Regiment and wider Battle Group per- sonnel. In standard fashion, RQ Pennicott decided to take a well-earned COVID holi- day, much to the amusement of the QM as he welcomed the BGs worth of ammu- nition. In early Feb the Light Dragoons battle group descended onto SPTA, just in time to appreciate the good weather Salisbury has to offer, which, in the true spirit of friendship, left the full summer WESSEX STORM to SCOTS DG. Over the next 2 months HQ Sqn were well tested in all forms of logistics. From delivery of
med capability to recovery and repair within the LAD, to the best A2 Echelon ever, anywhere to deploy (communicated via whisper to the QM(T) only). Let’s not forget Comd Tp whose hide locations were invisible to the enemy until the arrival of Observer Mentors. Additionally, they pro- vided critical and timely information to the Comd – especially the conditions check of the CO’s house. A big shout out goes to the BGLO, not only was he content to assume the responsibility of all logistical matters, but he also undertook ATDUs new trial of the incoming amphibious Land Rover – unsuccessfully! Final mention goes to
the ROG, whilst not glamourous in nature they provided valuable support with little resource that aided the successful comple- tion of the exercise.
Post Easter leave there was a flux of appointment changes – congrats to WO2 Fyfe on becoming RSM SNIY, the MTWO moves to Trg WO QOY who I’m sure will take their trg into outer Orbit (or as he likes to say OrBAT). WO2 Cawthorne assumes appointment of RQMS(T), RQ Pennicott and SSM Martin one place change (I think, I don’t know...).
Next on the agenda was the small matter of delivering LD30 and according to OC HQ Sqn – this was Fd Army number 1 pri- ority. Drill, drill, drill was the order of the day on every Sqn parade. What could go wrong? Preparations made, all resources booked, invites gone out – STOP! Op INTERFLEX (more to follow). Even with the outside pressures, HQ Sqn were fun- damental in delivering a fantastic event to celebrate LD30 which included mem- bers of the serving regiment, association, old comrades, and the wider LD fam-
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