Page 86 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Spanish Exchange
Capt Ellis, Lt Greaves, Sgt Hutchinson and Sgt Atkinson were the Light Dragoons fortunate enough to attend
a Spanish mounted reconnaissance exchange to RC FARNESIO 12, a wheeled cavalry regiment based in Valladolid, Spain. The exchange ran from 13 to 17 Nov 23 and we were accommodated at ‘TTE GALIANA,’ the Spanish Cavalry NCO school on the Northern edge of Valladolid. We were exceptionally well hosted by our Spanish counterparts and found time in our demanding schedule to conduct an impromptu battlefield study of Sahagun.
We attended a reconnaissance training cadre, hosted by RC FARNESIO 12, on behalf of Brigade ‘Galacia’ VII. The purpose of the week was to ‘train the trainer.’ The regiment hosted Officers and SNCOs from mounted units across the Brigade including engineers, motorised infantry and cavalry to give them a better idea of mounted reconnaissance tactical actions. The actions covered were the British Army’s equivalent of a target reconnaissance, route reconnais- sance and area reconnaissance.
Monday was classroom based where SOPs were presented for the actions they would be conducting that week. We had the opportunity to sit down with the Spanish following the lectures to share and compare British TTPs. We focussed on close target recces, route recces and area recces as well as discussing and contrasting in detail our ORBATs, capabilities, equipment and career pathways.
With Sahagun being an hour north of Vallodolid, we had the privilege of visiting the town and retracing the steps of the 15th Hussars in 1808.
Tuesday was planned for observing the conduct of target recces, however we were restricted from travelling cross country in their vehicles so spent the day in the tank park learning about the three vehicle platforms and discussing how they integrate them across each squadron. Further detail in the ‘Capability’ section below.
Wednesday and Thursday were spent observing the conduct of route and area recces and comparing and contrasting reports and returns. We also had a meeting with the Operations Officer and had the pleasure of meeting the Commanding Officer of RC FARNESIO 12, presenting him with a framed Brigade and LD flash that they informed us would be displayed at the very front of their regimental museum.
RC FARNESIO 12 Capability
RC FARNESIO 12, are a Spanish light wheeled cavalry regiment made up of 3 combat squadrons, a CSS Sqn and a RHQ. Each squadron has 3 troops, a mounted mortar section and a SHQ, broken down into specialist troops as outlined below. These troops enable a squadron to have an impressive firepower, mobility and recon- naissance capability.
1. 1 x armoured troop of 4 x B1 Centauro’s. An 8-wheeled armoured vehicle with a 105mm armament, also known as a tank destroyer. Its purpose is light to medium territorial defence and tactical reconnais- sance. It is also used to protect lighter elements of the squadron with its fire power and excellent cross-country ability.
2. 1 x light reconnaissance troop of 4 x VEC M1. A 6 wheeled armoured vehicle with a 25mm chain gun and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. Utilised in a light recon- naissance role, it has a crew of 3 plus 2 dismounts known as ‘explorers’ whom they use for dismounted tasks.
3. 1 x surveillance and exploration troop of 4 x VAMTEC, very similar to the American Humvee. Each vehicle has a mast mounted camera which provides line of sight live feed thermal vision out to 10km.
4.1 x mortar section of 2 x BMR (VEC family) with a 12.7mm remote controlled machine gun and 2 x 81mm mortar tubes per vehicle. It has a crew of 2 and can carry 11 dismounts. The mortars can be fired from the vehicle. This capability sits directly under the OCs command.
5. SHQ are mounted in VAMTECs.
FGCE
Lt Greaves and Sgt Hutchinson on tour
Emsdorf and Victory!
Sampling local delicacies; white chocolate chicken sausage.
Lt Greaves struggles to contain his excitement atop a ‘tank killer’
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