Page 90 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

96 EAGLE AND CARBINE
ALLIED AND AFFILIATED
The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry
The SNIY have successfully created opportunity out of chaos to enable a packed and varied training calendar. New personalities have been welcomed into the fold and we have said goodbye to some old friends. The squadrons are in the best place to deliver an update on their tumultuous year.
A (Ayrshire (Earl of Carrick’s Own) Yeomanry) Squadron
As did many other units around the country, A Sqn spent the early part of the year experimenting with virtual training. The commitment and expertise of our people shone through as ever in the varied and engag- ing online lessons they delivered, from navigation to Light Cavalry tactics, with living room PT a particular highlight.
On the lifting of restrictions, we made a phased return to face-to-face training, taking the opportunity to get out and about in Ayrshire with our Jackals in a number of local ‘Road-runner’ exercises along with challeng- ing and engaging training in Galloway Forest, ranges in Edinburgh and Fort George. A Sqn sent a strong contingent to participate in Ex WESSEX STORM in June and Ex WOLF’S BITE, the Regimental ADE, in September.
Two of our pack have grasped the opportunity of serv- ing overseas. Pte Hughes (RLC) recently returned from Cyprus where she was employed as a chef on Op TOSCA and LCpl Ewing is currently on an extended deployment to BATUK (Kenya).
In July we bade farewell to our Sqn Leader, Major Craig Powers, who leaves us for Glasgow & Strathclyde UOTC as their Executive Officer. This year also saw the retirement of SSgt Millar, our SQMS, bringing to an end his 39 years’ service, regular and reserve. We thank them both and wish them all the best for the future.
B (North Irish Horse) Squadron
Little could prepare a highly active Cavalry Sqn for the sharp shock of being told to “stay at home”. Throughout various lockdowns the Sqn training team and our committed soldiers worked very hard at becoming experts in the virtual space and, when restrictions allowed, those lessons were eagerly put into practice in the field.
Soldiers from our locations in both Belfast and Coleraine volunteered in large numbers for Op RESCRIPT, with eight being selected to bolster the
Joint exercise with RLC
Build up to Ex WESSEX STORM