Page 29 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The last year like every other, started and ended in a blink of an eye. After recov- ering from Op INTERFLEX, quarter one & two of 2023 saw the unit bounce straight into Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) for Op PSYMA. Late June, Capt Dez O’Conner stepped up to Quartermaster so Capt Chris Godfrey could return to his old G4 stomping ground as helmsman for the technical department. A swift high five concluded a seamless handover which was aided by the continuity of the steady and methodical RQMS(T) Andy Cawthorne. When Sgt Lee Monaher left A Sqn to become JAMES SNCO and SSgt Akuila Bola finally reported for duty satisfying the six-month 1LO gap left by SSgt Jason Leslie’s departure, the team sheet was complete and the technical wheels continued to gain traction. With one eye on Op PSYMA, the greatest commitment was Ex SPRING STORM due to a large HMTV & B Echelon fleet requirement and huge ISO container freight burden post tapping into loan pool to ensure we could deploy, execute, sustain and recover in good order. The deployment / exercise was a total triumph. However, on hitting home soil there was no respite as we continued to run hot, returning loans, appeasing task issue orders, and rehabilitating the fleet to meet JAT HO/TOs for over 60+ platforms that included the full HMTV BUF to 7LMBCT to support VJTF(L). Aside to assurance inspection preparation we hit the challenging times head on and set about appeasing all handover timelines over the space of just three months which epitomises the dedication and hard work, running on reserves at times by all involved, whilst completing PDT which endured through quarter three & four.
There have been many additional highs / lows and long hours to meet deadlines on multiple fronts however, all worthwhile having built strong foundations that made for no Non-Compliance being identified during the Land Equipment Audit (LEA), affirming the unit remains compliant to statutory policy and therefore not breaking the law or showing any significant risk to life. To capture the totality for other highs and the very few lows it would require more space than allocated so I aim to unpick my two key priorities that in my opinion have enabled the department to achieve success thus far.
61st handover to 7X within the space of three months
Workforce. Like most departments this is the backbone and key driver to any success. Ensuring all elements of Suitably Qualified & Experienced Person (SQEP) is upheld by all within the department has been & remains a continuous barrier, with limited course availability and white space in the forecast of events. However, we drive on, keep smiling, taking risk or elevating concerns as required to get us out the door delivering outputs and recovering in good order. A positive mindset change I wish to raise is the days of HQ Sqn becoming a graveyard for broken individuals ‘stealing a wage’. This may have been the phrase not many moons ago, but has now well and truly gone. The collective G4 team helps manage a vast equipment entitlement, working long hrs at times, ‘first in, last out’ so they say rings true. We set the conditions in the background which at times isn’t that sexy however, the department take the rough with the smooth appreciating the opportu- nities available to them feeling empowered and appreciated as a recent climate assessment would suggest. This is extremely positive and food for thought that the sweets and what has been said to be a Royal Lancer PRI office, isn’t the sole reason for an approachable friendly environment.
Equipment. As to be expected within the technical space, our platforms and mounted & dismounted equipment sits high on the priority list. Without doubt it consumes most of the department’s daily bandwidth, sequentially accounting for two thirds of email traffic which inevi- tably enables the force to prepare, deploy, execute and recover in line with readiness and commitments. Crossing the water by air, sea and land to theatres across the globe on many fronts, working to a diverse array of organisations generated a new challenge everyday - deadlines to meet, hurdles to negotiate and MEIL or Vital process and HMTV SNeV assurance to follow. On the home bank Gaza Bks, in addition to SET taskings, the greatest burden has without
a doubt been maintaining a vehicle fleet that’s ageing and persistently crossing hands, in line with Joint Asset Management and Engineering Solutions (JAMES) JATs - far too frequently and at very short notice in most circumstances. Sustaining our equipment by upholding the basics laid out within the Unit Equipment Care Directive (UECD) has been the bible to maintain consistency and POGO high standards. Going forward, the aspiration is to adopt a digital protocol that enables the force to work smarter not harder, finally disposing hard folders and the need for reams of paperwork. That said, breaking the mindset for some that an AFB 6530 is not a blank check is proving difficult and remains enduring.
To draw stumps, the last year has been challenging, rewarding and enjoyable but not all work and no play. Mess life and social functions have struck a nice balance for the time we managed to secure in Catterick. Going forward Op PSYMA will endure as we set the conditions to hand over to The Royal Lancers before a period of leave to reflect and change tack. On returning to barracks, we jump back on the bandwagon to generate a fleet to enable the unit to commence return to role and collective training for the next chapter. The department will forever evolve as we take each day as it comes for which most of the department due to deployment will miss yet another Cavalry Sunday however, we remain optimistic a great summer is well overdue in Catterick which would provide ample opportunity to make up for the department being dispersed. Mixed emotions will be felt early 2024 by all as we congratulate but say farewell to Andy Cawthorne having been selected for RSM, a prestige appointment he will thrive in and stamp his mark. As one door closes another will open, C Sqn SSM WO2 Sam Greenwood will be welcomed to rebalance the team sheet and finally, collectively, we wish both Tpr Antony Moore & Sgt Jack Taylor every success in civilian life pursuing their next chapters and do hope they pop in for a brew and catch up when passing.
To close, stay safe and continue to manage
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Quartermaster Technical Department
and support each other.
CG
Sgt ‘Bish’ Kerung cracking the whip during handover
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