Page 32 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
2022 has been a year in which the QM’s department has been extremely busy, however, when is the QM’s never busy! The year started with the preparation for Ex WESSEX STORM, which saw the QM’s deploy in advance to conduct the takeover of Knook Camp. As WO2 (RQMS) Pennicott was desperate for a bit of extended Christmas Leave it was convenient that COVID-19 hit at just the right time to give the QM the joys of receipting in the Battlegroups worth of Live Ammunition on his own.
We then set about receipting the regi- ment onto the exercise and taking up the role of B Echelon. An exercise which had a relatively new team in place, led by Captain Simpson (QM), WO2 (RQMS) Pennicott, Sgt Bishan, LCpl Woods, and Cpl Whitby who subsequently left the Army once the exercise was completed. It’s a great setting to embed in our roles and execute during a very busy period of 10 weeks on Salisbury Plain.
Some of the key highlights of the exer- cise was to see Major Alex Thirlaway testing out the wading capabilities of his
Land Rover. QM(T) Keith Bell confirms (no one else heard this) that 4X Comd stated it was the best A2 he had ever seen, classic Keith! WO2 Bowman spent more time in the pool with WO2 Fyfe than on exercise. However, we achieved everything required and came away with a resounding pass and we were ready for operations. What we didn’t realise is that whilst on exercise we were watching the events unfold in Ukraine. This war was about to become very close to home.
On returning to camp after 10 weeks away everyone was looking forward to some Easter Leave. We were then issued orders to establish a potential train- ing base location in Wathgill. In May, Major Cuthbertson (Plans) & Captain Simpson (QM) undertook the recces to Wathgill Camp to see the feasibility of providing Training Support under OP INTERFLEX. This then became the Main Effort for the Ministry of Defence, and The Light Dragoons were at the forefront of this operation. We headed up TDU 2 and the G4 wheel was truly in motion. We conducted the recce on a Wednesday morning, and the following
Monday we received the first 200 UK personnel, followed by our first intake of recruits a week later.
Establishing the TDU was the priority for Tranche 1 which lasted for 7 months. The G4 team was pushed beyond its capabilities to ensuring mission success. As a snapshot of the logistical undertak- ing, we provided the capability to support 2500 Partner Force soldiers and officers to be trained. A supporting staff of over 400, we provided over 3 million rounds of ammunition, 20,000 rations, £85,000 worth of ePC transactions, 25+ visits, a fleet of over 90 white fleet, accommoda- tion to support 1100 personnel and feed- ing for the duration. It goes without say- ing that the team was outstanding. For us all to be involved in such an operation and to personally witness the Ukrainians determination to win against a Russian Army, is something that will live with us all forever. A point in our careers that we will look back on with so much pride. A piece of regimental history that will live long in the memory of all those involved in OP INTERFLEX.
LS
Quartermaster’s Department
Quartermaster Technical’s Department
We come to the end of another hectic year, and what a year it has been.
2022 started off just like any other, the G4 team up against it to deliver on mul- tiple fronts, prepping for a full regimen- tal deployment onto Ex Wessex Storm being the “Priority”. But did they deliver? Well, let us just highlight the fact that A2 Echelon, in the capable hands of the QM(T) Keith “Dinger” Bell, were high- lighted as the BEST A2 the Bde Comd had ever seen... the remainder of the A2 and any uninvited visitors that had to dig-in for weeks would say otherwise.
Post Wessex Storm, the dept said a fond farewell to both QM(T) & RQMS(T) who both move into new roles. Keith Bell off to become QM(T) at Mission Ready Training Centre (MRTC) Bassingbourn, which he only mentioned a few million times!!! In charge of less equipment than a local cadet force. Steve Fyfe moving to the SNIY to take over the prestigious position as Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), good luck to them both, we wish them well. In with the new kids, Capt Dez O’Connor moved across from Trg Off, WO2 Andy Cawthorne from B Sqn moved into the
RQ role and SSgt Jay Grant takes on the EESNCO role. All are excited and looking forward to the roles...
Throughout the rest of the year, it was like any other, knees to chest getting vehicles and equipment to support the activities in the FOE (Forecast of Events) while trying to remain firm favourites with the Land Training Fleet suppliers in Warminster, no mean feat, those that know, know!
B Sqn, under the 2 Scots Battlegroup pre- pared to deploy to Ex Khanjar Oman. This saw Jay Grant oversee collections of vehi- cles and other equipment from Units all over the U.K. covering ridiculous milage in a Trimble enabled car, not one speeding offence though.
Ex Galloping Dragoon, a joint-regimental exercise with the Queens Own Yeomanry (QOY) in September was the next biggest activity since Wessex Storm and offered a chance for the department to get a run out as a small echelon and well, rest, away from the normal drum beat of repeated, frantic G4 supporting actions in Gaza. All while earning some well-deserved LSA against
QM(T) not enough cam
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