Page 18 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

16 EAGLE AND CARBINE
to commentate over the top of two SVRs recovering one another in what can only be assumed to be a vehic- ular courtship dance from the Rece Mechs, having successfully dragged Cpl Megahy out of what could be described as an attempt to go sub-surface whilst still in his Jackal on the troop training lane.
With accounts closed at STANTA, the Squadron then moved to SPTA to tackle the meat of WESSEX STORM proper. Arriving into our start point, the Mutants were welcomed with open arms by the LAD, who began the Sisyphean task of rehabbing the vehi- cle fleet. With scenes akin to the Ship of Theseus (Triggers’ broom), the Fitter Section began the process of robbing Peter to pay Paul, with spanner in hand, cannibalising one vehicle to fix another. Sgt Purja, Cpl Williams and team did B Squadron proud, and began what seemed to be a two-man experiment in the effects of sleep-deprivation in order to get the wag- ons ready to roll out onto the plain, with their crews living like Stig of the Dump in the bushes nearby. The Mutants entered battle in good order; decep- tion played a key role in the protection of 20A, as Sgt Mowbray in his Panther (marked on the side with his OC’s Callsign) acted as tethered goat in Jurassic park, meeting a grizzly end on at least two occasions in the place of his Squadron Leader: thanks must go to the Royal Shakespeare Company in preparing him for the performance of last stand in Caerwent. Leaguer life in the vicinity of the RLC did a great deal to float Squadron-funds further; once the translation issues of what a can of “juice” was to the English Loggies was cleared up, stickies and hostage taking abounded. The Squadron fleeces that followed were a lovely addition to the Wardrobe. B Squadron acquitted itself superbly throughout the exercise, chalking up several tank-kills (including one posted SCOTS DG Sqn Leader), a suc- cession of moderately cowed OMs, and significant deforestation of surrounding woodblocks in the name of live cam.
Working hard? Or handly working?
A return from Green Soldiering saw B Squadron oversee the construction and execution of the SCOTS DG 50 hangar party; whilst often employed in route recce tasks, Sgt Russett and Cpl Methven (Squadron Engineers) took to drill and light fitting, and built the impressive party for their foster Regiment. This marked the handover point for the dynamic trio in Squadron Headquarters, with the Mutants waving a very fond farewell to Major Majcher (heading back to Cottesmore as 7 Bde DCOS) and WO2 Chalmers back into the warm bosom of the G3/5/7 space. It is beyond doubt that their stewardship through 2021 could not have set the Squadron up better for deployment on Op NEWCOMBE in 2022. Following on from SCOTS DG 50, Capt Walpole enjoyed his Swan Song as 2IC, seeing the Squadron out of the door onto Ex KHANDJAR OMAN. Again, the Mutants must extend its deep- est gratitude for his steady hand throughout 2021. KHANDJAR OMAN is absolutely deserving of its own missive, so this author will extend this article no further, and encourage you, dear reader, to flick fur- ther ahead to read about the desert antics of the mighty B Squadron.
During his time as Squadron Leader, two times editor of the journal, and author of this very article, Major Majcher began a tradition of closing with scripture. To that end, it seems only appropriate, to do the same. In a year of hard training, personal and team development; trials of both demanding exercise, and pandemic- related difficulties, B Squadron to a man stepped up and delivered. With an operational tour on the horizon and an even more fractious MST pipeline before it, the rigors of 2021 have most certainly demonstrated that the Mutants have lived by the proverb: ‘iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another’.
The Plain takes its pound of flesh