Page 36 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

This year kicked off much the same as all other areas of the regiment for the RAP - with preparation for Wessex Storm. This principally involved doing what medics do best: counting kit and put- ting up a tent. Then came the long drive to get our vehicles down to Knook camp which of course was not without incident, as the passenger seat in the ambulance almost caught fire. For the first 2 weeks on Wessex Storm, we provided RLS doing sick parade and med cover for the ranges. After the first 2 weeks several medics were assigned to each sqn to go out on the exer- cise with them and the RAP then followed on behind the sqns.
After Wessex Storm the main focus for the RAP was getting the regiment ready for high readiness and Ex Defender in Poland. This involved an endless number of vac- cinations and huge piles of paperwork, which we then had to find some unwilling volunteers to get it signed off. It was such a bad experience for these individuals, that one of the doctors in the medical cen- tre is now traumatised by this ordeal and gets worried whenever he sees me walking around with a pile of paper.
The majority of the RAP were then aligned to Op Interflex in Wathgill camp. Here we were providing routine primary healthcare and medical cover for the Ukrainian sol- diers who are in training within the UK. It has been a busy few months running sick parades to help keep the Ukrainian sol- diers fit to continue their training. A few of the medics were also involved with assist- ing the team medics who were teaching the Ukrainian soldiers’ medical skills, as well as assessing those medical skills while they were on the battle lanes. Cpl Humphreys also did a fantastic job at keeping a contin- uous supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen available for the Ukrainian soldiers to help them get through their training.
While Sgt Pratt was reversing coaches into ditches and Cpl Humphreys was ordering enough foil blankets to supply the entire Ukrainian army, the rest of us left back at regiment had to get B Sqn ready to deploy to Oman, which meant even more vacci- nations were needed and more unwilling victims to sign the paperwork. Cpl Phillips was the medic assigned to this exercise to be the Sqn medic for B Sqn while they are out on exercise in Oman.
There have also been some changes to the RAP team this year. Our RMO, Maj Christie finally turned up to the regiment almost a year late when most of the hard work was completed. We will also be saying farewell to LCpl Logan who has been with the Light Dragoons for 3 years. We also have the pleasure of Sgt Pratt and LCpl Wallis remaining at the Light Dragoons a little longer as they have extended their time at the regiment.
LS
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Regimental Aid Post
They always say that time goes quicker as you get older! I need to tell you that it is true. It doesn’t seem like a year since I was producing the last report, but here we are again and what a year it has been.
This year has been a big one for the Regiment, the LD’s have been celebrating 30 years since the amalgamation. There have been several highlights to this, the recent dinner in the Sgt’s and WO’s Mess being one of them. The other one from the summer was the parade and subsequent party. It was my privilege to be able to lead my first drumhead service as part of the parade. The honour of being able to speak to the Regiment and families of God and of service is beyond my words to express. I am incredibly grateful to God, the Regiment, and the RAChD for that privi-
Padre’s Corner
lege. The fact that I didn’t drop the Guidon was a definite bonus and something, that I can assure you, I was genuinely concerned about!
Another highlight for me was being invited to lead a field service as part of the extraordinarily successful PNCO Cadre. The course was brilliantly organised and delivered and the field service was again a delight and privilege to be a part of.
The other major commitment of the Regiment has been Op INTERFLEX. This has been a challenge and drain on resources and personnel. That said the operation is critical and has been delivered with the LD’s customary professionalism and good humour. I had the honour of being able to lead several field services to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
This leads me onto perhaps the most remarkable event of the last year which was the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This has had far reaching affects across all levels of society not least of which is the armed services. Those of the regiment not involved directly with INTERFLEX were on exercise in Galloway Forest. This exercise was stopped for the day of the late Queen’s funeral and a field service was held for all those present to be able to mark the
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occasion in a suitable way. The ingenuity of the Regiment was also clear as the live broadcast was also shown on a big screen! The can-do attitude in full view.
The year has been fast paced and exciting with many opportunities, the joy of serv- ing alongside such a fantastic regiment has only grown over the year and I look for- ward with excitement to what the next year holds.
IF