Page 10 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

8 EAGLE AND CARBINE
FOREWORD
The Commanding Officer
As I write, B Squadron has all but completed its inload to Bagnold Camp, their base for the next six months in Gao, Eastern Mali. Their journey to this point and the story of their operational tour will feature promi- nently in next year’s Eagle and Carbine, but suffice to say they have arrived in excellent order and in are in every way ready for what lies ahead. And as they fulfil their part in the Long Range Reconnaissance Group, the remainder of the Regiment now sets its full focus towards taking on this role as the lead unit of the force next, including the vital support from our home base.
Let me congratulate the editor and supporting team for compiling this edition during a very busy period. As is illustrated throughout its pages, 2021 was a for- midable year of achievement by the
B Squadron as part of the Royal Irish Battlegroup, with whom they have since deployed to Mali, and C Squadron playing the enemy force. This evolution echoes the long history of British foreign policy in the Middle East and reflects a resumption of that focus, as well as the Regiment’s own pedigree in desert warfare and other operations in the region. I expect this theme to recur in the coming years. Linked to which, the Integrated Review (notwithstanding the more recent shift in grand strategic context) reconfirmed the rec- ognised value of Light Cavalry and our continued role in it, along with our highly successful pairing with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, and our resub- ordination to 7 Light Brigade Combat Team in mid- 2022, once again joining ‘The Desert Rats’.
Regiment. It began with support
to NHS Scotland in establishing
COVID-19 vaccination centres. A
brief period of build-up training
followed, including annual firing
before we were thrust into Exercise
WESSEX STORM, our battlegroup
validation exercise spanning May
and June, ambitious in both its scale
and scope. Deploying as one of three battlegroups and replicating aspects of strategic deployment, we were sent across the length and breadth of the UK, concen- trating for the main phases on Salisbury Plain. Replete with challenge, reward and development from start to finish, the result was successful validation of the battle- group and confirmation of our readiness for operations.
From June through November, the Regiment was on standby for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief in the event of a hurricane strike on any of the British Overseas Territories or Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean. Fortunately, such assistance was not required in the 2021 season, although it would have been an excit- ing challenge to undertake, and in any case the concep- tual preparation was an education in itself. Against this backdrop and the threat of resumed lockdown, it was with some good fortune that we avoided such disruption as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Regiment’s amalgamation in early September in splendid style and with broad participation by the Regimental family in Edinburgh, where we were graced by the presence of our Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, and in Leuchars.
September through November was dominated by a demanding overseas exercise in Oman, involving
In their 75th year since being for- mally recognised as a band, our Pipes and Drums enjoyed another year in high demand and fulfilled an impressive series of events, as well as a string of individual achievements. Enthusiasm for equitation remains healthy, with an emphasis on cer- emonial riding enabled by a deep-
ening relationship with Tower Farm in Edinburgh as a dependable provider of parade-worthy grey horses. With lockdown restrictions lifted and then from time to time partially reimposed unpredictably in time and space, sport and adventure training were pursued as vigorously as ever, reflecting the strong sense of endeavour in our officers and soldiers. The compara- tive lightness of that section of the magazine in rela- tion to ‘normal’ years belies considerable ambition and effort towards many events that had to be conceded, though it was most pleasing to see going concerns in both the Alpine and Nordic ski teams.
As ever, this rich array of operational, extracurricular and heritage activity only came to pass through the for- titude of our officers and soldiers of all ranks, includ- ing our ever-valuable attached arms, all commendably facing down the threat of COVID-19 with diligence and stoicism. In this respect 2021 was much like every year, everyone for their part determined to be skilled in our core role, trusted by the Army and the nation, and ready for whatever calling presents itself, so that together we continually strive to be Second to None.
Climbing Schiehallion on a field officers’ excursion (Comd Offr front, LtoR Majs Champion, Barker, Marjoribanks, and Majcher)