Page 33 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

This was the third year for participating and it is hoped to be enduring thus generating the interest of the younger members of the LAD to attain an AT qualification or two.
Exercise KHANJAR OMAN (KO) saw elements from all the Fitter Sections within the LAD deployed as part of the 1 Royal Irish BG. This was a significant training opportunity for B Sqn Fitters as it offered an opportunity for early integration with the BG prior to the upcoming deployment. The remainder of the LAD primarily deployed to backfill the 1 Royal Irish LAD and OPFOR.
On arrival to Oman all the deployed troops had to complete a week of acclimatisation training which consisted of speed marches with gradually increas- ing durations, distance and dress states. The BG fleet arrived soon after, consisting of over 170 platforms, Foxhound, Jackal/Coyote, Mastiff, various B vehicles and Engineer equipment. To ensure maximum vehi- cle availability for the exercise, all the ES personnel pulled together to make the BG LAD. This included people from SCOTS DG, 1 Royal Irish, 71 Engrs, 3 Med Regt LADs and an ES Platoon from 5 Battalion (Bn) REME providing 2nd line support.
The duration of the main exercise was 3 weeks, which included various missions with involvement from the Royal Navy, Army Air Corps and Royal Omani Reconnaissance Regiment. This was part of a com- bined Air-integration exercise with air assets from the Carrier Strike Group 21.
The training area itself was excellent, ranging from vast open plains to deep wadies which tested both the vehicles robustness, the soldiers themselves and the ability to operate, maintain and sustain themselves for prolonged periods of time in a testing environment.
Due to the hard work and determination of the Fitter sections, vehicle operators and logistic support the availability of the fleet didn’t drop below 90%, contrib- uting to overall success of the exercise itself.
For those members of the LAD employed as OPFOR, they found it an enjoyable exercise and found it rewarding being employed in roles not normally offered by their CEG. The JNCOs would often find themselves observing enemy movement in OPs or providing screens. When the attacks and raids where launched, all personnel would find themselves defend- ing the objectives. Which despite them being in posi- tion for some time and participating in a very kinetic
The top of Ben Wyvis with the team and Rannoch (the 4-legged munro bagger)
EAGLE AND CARBINE 31