Page 97 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

ertly occupying a screen around the objective during the night, the squadron intercepted fleeing enemy and conducted low-level dismounted actions against satel- lite positions, whilst the infantry attacked the main defensive positions. Sgt Hutchison’s dismounted assault was particularly commendable, although his dress state less so: it went unnoticed, somehow, that he had closed with his desert-based foe wearing a Keela smock more appropriate for the woodblocks of Brecon. In the clos- ing stages, cavalrymen of all rank ranges were reminded of their wise choice in joining the armoured corps as we watched the infantry grind their way down the steep wadi. This was put beyond doubt when we proceeded to watch them drag their casualties back up the other way.
Next came a maintenance day and a period of integra- tion with the Omani Reconnaissance Regiment. By now, the high-profile nature of the exercise was clear: Chief of Staff Field Army, Commander 16th Air Assault Brigade, and Conservative MP James Cleverly were but a few of the VIPs who visited exercising troops. We were in safe hands; when media training was delivered for upcoming interviews, the Squadron Sergeant Major assured the instructor that he was a “media ninja”. This title appears to be self-appointed.
Mission 2 saw Dragoon conduct a three-up squad- ron advance to clear. The dramatic terrain – by now a contrast of sparse, open desert interspersed with deep, wide wadis – did not deter, with the Squadron’s frontage extending as wide as 12km. As night fell, we once again surrounded the objective with the Omani Reconnaissance Regiment mirroring us to the south. 1st and 2nd Troop were busy handing off targets through- out the night, successfully exploiting intelligence col- lected from the stricken vehicles. Less so for 4th Troop: although in keeping with the theme of high-profile visits, they received two: one from the Commanding Officer, and another from a small, curious herd of donkeys.
For Mission 3, the battlegroup not only had a tighter turnaround but also a new task organisation. Previously, Dragoon and Ranger had operated as independent sub- units; now, the two were to blend. Dragoon gained a Foxhound-mounted rifle platoon and the infantry’s mortar line, whilst Ranger took on 4th Troop along with the battlegroup’s anti-tank and recce assets. This reor- ganisation allowed each sub-unit to blend the infantry’s ability to clear and hold close terrain with the light cav- alry’s high mobility, firepower, and rapid manoeuvre. Both had access to AH-64 Apache and Wildcat recon- naissance helicopters and a range of fires.
To the south, Ranger attacked Objective Titanium using 4th Troop to overwhelm the enemy using firepower,
forcing the enemy to withdraw north into a pre-planned anti-armour ambush. Further north, Dragoon con- ducted another squadron advance whilst their attached rifle platoon cleared an important crossing at Objective Alfred in the centre with their attached EOD & Search assets. By now, the terrain was incredibly complex, with the wadis reaching incredible heights and therefore proving to be serious obstacles. Night fell as the Jackal commanders pushed through the challenging ter- rain, with some ground guiding for up to 5km on foot. Eventually, the squadron clambered out the western side of the wadi, rebalanced, and continued the advance. It was later raised as a highlight of the action that this was manoeuvre was completed covertly, at night, and without a single vehicle rollover. The main objective was subsequently isolated with a screen and conditions set for the next phase.
Ranger and Dragoon then linked up and the latter was tasked to clear Objective Atlas, a satellite position to the south of the main position. It was to be a long night. 1st Troop conducted dismounted reconnaissance to set con- ditions for a clearance of another challenging wadi. The route to the Zulu Muster was an education on battlegroup vehicle capability; whilst the Jackals were comfortable across the undulating terrain, the infantry’s Foxhounds struggled as the dust clouds and fog combined to make progress extraordinarily difficult. Arriving in torrid conditions, the Squadron was forced to wait until dawn, eventually launching with their rifle platoon supported by an additional dismounted troop, and another troop providing mounted fire support from their Jackals. The subsequent clearance of the wadi provided further les- sons on the complexities of combining mounted and dismounted assets in a complex battlespace.
The scene was set for the final objective, in which the Light Cavalry squadron came into its own. 4th Troop conducted a route reconnaissance across yet another vast wadi, which proved key; only on the second attempt of entering, and the fourth of exiting, the wadi was a suit- able route found for the infantry’s vehicles. 3rd Troop then marked the detailed route across the sand-filled basin, and despite two bogged-in vehicles, Ranger were escorted to their Zulu Muster on time. Disaster nearly struck when A Squadron’s 3rd Troop, employed as fire support for the infantry, were ambushed and forced to withdraw en route to their position minutes before H-Hour. The infantry were left without cover as they crossed the line of departure, but 4th Troop, located further north, sited a secondary position and arrived in time to suppress the enemy positions and allow the infantry to regain the initiative. A small flanking force briefly counterattacked to threaten the company’s flank, but this too was swiftly dealt with. As dawn broke, the
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