Page 11 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

A SQUADRON
Major TR Barker
With the nation praying that 2022 would see an end to the pandemic, A Sqn returned from Christmas leave and were deployed almost straight away on to another series of Military Assistance to the Civil Authority (MACA) tasks; this time assisting with the reconnais- sance and establishment of vaccination centres across Scotland. This consumed almost all of the squadron’s deployable workforce but would thankfully be the last C19-related activity that the squadron would support until the last few weeks of the year. This period also saw a number of handovers within SHQ: the SQMS, SSgt Messenger, handing over to SSgt Jarret who, having broken out of the Officers’ Mess Manager position, brought with him new energy and an (un?) enviable moustache. WO2 (SSM) McCall then handed over the reins of SSM to the newly promoted WO2 Messenger before moving on to take over the critical and high-profile post of RMQS Main. The squadron owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Mr McCall; rarely has anyone committed so much of themself to a job. Equally Mr McCall’s long-term/suffering partner, Lyn, is deserving of mention at this stage for putting up with Mr McCall’s all-consuming focus on support- ing the squadron and its soldiers.
The long-anticipated return to soldiering, and prepa- ration in earnest for Ex WESSEX STORM, began in March with a three-week dismounted and mounted range package split between Warcop and Castlemartin. In an area of the country known for its high volume of rainfall, Warcop did not disappoint. Numerous charges through waist deep ditches and heroic slides into fire positions ensued as the squadron progressed through fire team to section attacks by day and night over the course of a week. After a long bus journey to southern Wales, the next two weeks were spent developing our mounted live fire competence, finishing with troop level raids at night. As this phase was a regimental effort, C Sqn 2IC Capt Peppiatt stepped up as RCO and was delighted to be able to re-live his days as a mem- ber of A Sqn. Pepps’ Peeps, the daily run-down of the top performing crews provided much amusement and kept the whole period suitably relaxed. Concurrent to this, the regimental snipers, led by Sgt Williams were deployed with 1st Bn The Royal Irish Regiment and 3rd Bn The Rifles delivering a series of sniper opera- tor cadres which would ‘badge’ five individuals and generate the next generation of elite soldiers. Also during this period Sgt Stevens deployed alongside A
EAGLE AND CARBINE 9
Ex WESSEX STORM