Page 41 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
LD Training Delivery Unit celebrates Armed Forces of Ukraine Day
ing and feeding of both UK and AFU elements within the TDU. The teaching covered basic infantry skills, battlefield casualty drills, Urban/Trench tactics, and ranges.
Op INTERFLEX is one of the most inter- esting and morally rewarding taskings that the British Army has undertaken in many years. Everyone involved could see first hand the human element affected by the Russo-Ukraine War and it was an absolute privilege to provide support in a tangible way. However, the set-up was not without difficulties. The regiment itself was still extremely busy and it became clear that all regimental outputs had to continue. Therefore, over a fortnight LD RHQ became responsible for the operational effectiveness of two succinct organisations. The political interest, sensitivities, and swathes of bureaucracy affected all aspects of the operation. The QM and HQ SSM had to become accustomed to a deeply frustrating phrase of ‘just in time logistics’, later countered with, ‘get now and beg for forgiveness later’. Proving the perennial argument, ‘G4 does just happen’. In all seriousness, without the G4 enablers tire- less efforts to adaptively challenge the pro- cess and bureaucracy, I have no doubt that we would not have achieved mission suc- cess on Op INTERFLEX. Furthermore, enhancements to the training programme meant infra upgrades such as building a new Russian trench system.
Due to the affect the operation was hav- ing on wider army commitments, it was decided that the operation would be sup- ported by international partners, to release British companies back to other tasks. Our companies from 3 and 4 SCOTS were replaced by 17 Princess Irene’s Grenadiers from the Royal Netherlands Army and 4 Telemark Bn from Norway. It proved a welcome respite for our tired companies and brought a plethora of new skills to the operation. Our TDU retained the services of II Sqn RAF Regt, who challenged every previous stereotype the army had of the RAF Regt. They were diligent, adaptable and an extremely valued addition to our team. Through their ingenuity, our TDU was the first to transcend the red tape
and 2 SCOTS infiltrating the Directing Staff’s radio net made this plan signifi- cantly harder to achieve. A Sqn and B Sqn, completed their tasks cearly in the final stage, leaving C Sqn and the LANCS to raid the position. Whilst LD achieved mission success by destroying the enemy high value targets, we were not able to destroy all their positions. Highlights saw BGHQ under Capt Quicke and Stinton orchestrating a textbook ambush on 4 unsuspecting Foxhounds, which resulted in an impromptu rugby match scrap with a Fijian contingent of 2 SCOTS.
Ex WS was an enjoyable and success- ful event in the LD FOE and the regi- ment did not need to be worried about its compressed training pipeline as it distin- guished itself well in all aspects of the exer- cise. LD conducted the whole exercise off data, sending orders and running the bat- tle off High Capacity User Data Terminals (HCDTUs) with no voice whatsoever. The reason being, our data signature would be negligible, allowing us to remain hidden for longer. This required discipline and sound situational awareness from the com- mand elements within the BG. The regi- ment was now looking forward to a relative period of inactivity, buoyed by the idea of adventure training and battlefield stud- ies. However, as with most things in the British Army this was not to be.
Almost immediately after Ex WESSEX STORM had finished, C Sqn were deploy- ing to Poland on Ex DEFENDER. Ex DEFENDER was a month-long Exercise working under 1 Btn, Polish 12 Mech Bde, acting as the OPFOR against a Polish Airborne Btn and French Armoured Infantry Bde. As the Exercise came around, C Sqn deployed from Gdansk SPOD to the Polish Naval Academy for an RSOI package alongside 1 Btn. Together
the Sqn and Polish Coy moved to Torun (central Poland) where they went to a local Territorial Defence Unit to show them the Jackals, Coyotes and weaponry used by the Sqn – in Poland this is called a pic- nic, which did not translate well. C Sqn did not get the memo and set up a stereo- typical British take on the word picnic which somewhat baffled our NATO allies. Finally, C Sqn moved to Bemowo Piskie Training Area, an area that the Sqn knew well having spent 7 months in 2020. C Sqn used OPs, mounted contacts and com- bined raids to force our French allies into an uncharacteristic surrender. Reluctantly within the confines of the exercise, the Sqn and Polish Coy were forced to with- draw and allow the advance to Lithuania. Upon completion of the Exercise, C Sqn moved to Zakopane for hill walking and mountain biking before the cultural study at Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Krakow. The Sqn returned via Ostrava in Czech Republic due to the inevitable RAF cancelation of the flight, luckily this was prepared for. Only one coach was allowed across the border, resulting in half the Sqn being left in a lay-by for a few hours. On arrival at Ostrava airport the Sqn had a seven hour wait for the RAF to decide it would be a couple of days before they would fly the Sqn home. Alas, the Sqn was back in the UK in time for the Queens Jubilee and some well earnt rest.
In May, RHQ supported by HQ Sqn were stood up at extremely short notice to sup- port Op INTERFLEX. The Regiment was tasked with leading one of the training delivery units (TDU) teaching 2500 AFU personnel over the course of 6 months. LD were supported by companies from 3 SCOTS, 4 SCOTS and II Sqn RAF Regt. LD had 10 days to ensure the site was fit for purpose, organise a training pro- gramme, facilitate accommodation, mov-
CO inspecting trench system, built to train Ukrainian recruits
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