Page 50 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

48 EAGLE AND CARBINE
“This isn’t where I parked my car!”
MC moving to RHQ as Ops SSgt. Outstanding serv- ants and trusted SMEs, the Training Wing would like to take this opportunity to wish them every suc- cess in their new roles. The void left was filled by Sgt (Johnny) McLelland and SSgt (Sean) Wright who took over the roles and responsibilities of Mounted Close Combat (MCC) Sgt and training SSgt respec- tively. Sgt Mclelland, with his need to ensure every- thing delivered was planned to the letter, ensured that SSgt Colclough remained on speed dial to help with the delivery of Jackal and General Service (GS) Distributed Training (DT) courses prior to deploy- ment on Ex WESSEX STORM.
May was upon us in a flash and this meant that most of the Training Wing staff were deployed with the regiment to their secondary roles in preparation for WESSEX STORM. SSgt Wright deployed as Commander of the Regimental Aid Post (CRAP), the acronym that pleases everyone less those who take it on, along with Sgt’s (Dom) Dominy and McLelland whom where employed as CPERS Commanders within A1 ECH. Capt Dodds took on the responsibili- ties of ROG 2IC and Cpl (Johno) Johnston remained in Leuchars Station ensuring that those who required career and specialist courses were loaded to ensure the successful qualification for those deploying on Op NEWCOMBE.
Textbook Staggered formation
WESSEX STORM continued to build up momen- tum as the Squadron’s conducted their range pack- ages along with a Platform Weapons Operator (PWO) / Initial Gunners Live Firing course. The PWO course being a vital piece of initial training that results in all jackal crew members being confirmed as competent on its mounted weapon systems, it is also a prerequisite for initial RAC career courses conducted by all Lt Cav soldiers.
Getting back into all things green didn’t start well for the Sgt McLelland when he deployed on Ex WESSEX STORM. A few miles into the journey, en route to Salisbury Plain, this D&M Instructor / GS Land Rover and SV (Truck) expert’s vehicle developed a fault, the training team hopeful that the fault wasn’t the result of the wrong fuel being used. After a lengthy wait the ‘real’ experts, aka the RAC, rendered the vehicle unsafe to use which meant that Sgt Mclelland required dragging to the forward staging area to deploy on exer- cise. The over excitable Sgt Mclelland finally deployed 3 days late much to the annoyance of him but to the enjoyment of all those who watched his untimely arrival.
With ENDEX called and the recovery to Leuchars complete the Training Wing stood down for sum- mer leave. At this point the Training Wing said