Page 42 - The Light Dragoon 2024

In June, the Regiment went to Germany to enjoy local delights alongside excellent simulated training. Free from the constraints of vehicle availability and training area restrictions, the simulators allowed troops to advance, delay, raid, and cross obstacles. It also allowed the oppor- tunity for many of our youngest NCOs to command a vehicle for the first time prior to Crew Commanders as entire Squadrons operated a role above their usual one.
After some well-deserved leave, the Regiment turned its focus to Op Psyma. The Task Force achieved straight greens across the board during the mission rehearsal exercise and deployed to Poland in November 2023, ready to support the UK mission assisting Ukraine.
With 33 individuals requested by trawls on an average week, the operations staff remain as busy as ever. Although the workload is high, few of these result in Light Dragoons being tasked (particularly against negative jobs). Over the past year soldiers have been generated for tasks as far ranging as opera- tions in Iraq and Syria, through to liaison officers for the French Army in Tahiti. My thanks must go to WO2 Mallinson (now SSM C Sqn) and Capt Dan Elkington who have done exceptional work keeping the trawl machine underway while others were focussed on operations.
What next? RHQ, HQ, B and C Sqn will remain on Op Psyma until May 2024, with A Sqn deploying to Kenya on Ex Haraka Spear in February 2024. Following leave, the Regiment will come back together in June 24, heading to Germany for adventure training. A Sqn will begin their task training Ukrainian soldiers as part of Op Interflex. C Sqn will support this task and will provide a platoon for force protection in Kenya. B Sqn are deploying with RHQ to Kenya to take part in Ex Haraka Storm in September 2024 alongside the Lancs.
Further down the road, the Light Dragoons look forward to a battlegroup validation in Estonia in 2025, before preparing to deploy again on operations in 2026. The regiment continues to have an exceptional reputation with our higher formations, the Army, Defence and beyond. This is thanks to the hard work and professionalism of all Light Dragoons and is reflected in the quality and variety of tasks that we are trusted with. Thank you all for making my job selling the Light Dragoons as the unit of choice such an easy one.
EJB
The Adjutant showing his finest MS laugh CO’s Tac in Estonia
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Must Look Ally
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RSM at Hofbräuhaus, Munich