Page 24 - The KRH Year of 2023 (CREST Sharing)

24 The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars
on parade. Spying this as a perfect opportunity to break clean - the SSM was soon merrily returning to his home county of Dorset, there to reinvigorate the AJAX project with his consid- erable knowledge and gunnery SQEP at the Armoured Trials and Development Unit (ATDU) – we know that should AJAX ever make it into the hands of the Field Army, for better or for worse we can I am sure, attribute it in some way to him.
Elsewhere, the Squadron Leader and 2IC, Capt Oldroyd, as the remaining commanders of the affiliated Squadron to XRH, did their part in maintaining historical ties by attending the lav- ish lunch generously provided by the Captain of Pikemen and Musketeers at the Honourable Artillery Company’s Armoury House – reinforcing the bond between Squadron Commanders who shared a mutual connection with the “Shiny Tenth”. With
toasts drunk and tales told it served to remind us of the impor- tance of these relationships in ensuring mutual history is not forgotten.
D Squadron has played a huge and important role in the 30 year history of the Regiment and it was a poignant moment as the Squadron marched off for the last time. It has been an enormous privilege to, albeit briefly, command such a prestig- ious Squadron, especially in ensuring their smooth transition to a new ORBAT. For whilst roles and models will inevitably vary as the British Army adapts to the ever-changing global threat – it is comforting to know the proud, professional, and hard-working members of the 10th Hussars affiliated Squadron will remain a constant. Ich Dien.
RW / GJ
Headquarter Squadron
Headquarter Squadron (HQ SQN) launched into 2023 with the sub-zero Baltic temperatures of Estonia for a final push that saw the Squadron brave Ex WINTER CAMP and complete a comprehensive handover to the Queen’s Royal Hussars, followed by the complex task of delivering all equipment and service personal back to the UK.
Big changes of Regimental key players continued. Firstly, The Commanding Officer, Lt Col William Hodgkinson MBE cel- ebrated one last drive by on CR2 before passing on the great privilege of commanding the KRH to Lt Col Pete Perowne. Maj Mark Black MBE was replaced by Maj Chris Dunn, recently returned from ICSC(L), as HQ squadron leader and his righthand man switched from SSM Plant to SSM Green. The badge (RSM) was taken on proudly by WO1 Chris Brown with newly promoted Capt Carl Donald stepping out of war- fare and into welfare.
Once on home turf it was on to some well-deserved Post Operational Leave for 6 weeks. A chance for our ‘Hussar fam- ilies’ to enjoy some much-needed quality family time. The welfare team delivered on numerous opportunities for our families to get away on day trips provided by the Regiment.
With the diary set HQ Squadron hit the ground running in May with preparations for the first hurdle, Ex IRON CYCLONE and live firing in Castlemartin. Command Troop and Recce Troop switched back to D Squadron leaving the G4 support element within HQ for RQMS(M) Plant and his team to start the 5-week slog in Pembrokeshire, managing everything from accommodation to the constant flap of SSMs counting vent tubes. Simultaneously, the RQMS(T) Adam Mossop and his team were using any means possible to ensure a persistent feed of spares hit the range in good time. Throughout the range package HQ squadron also took the opportunity to enhance their low-level skills, including Rifle & GPMG marksmanship and patrolling skills.
Back from Wales, the Squadron deployed promptly onto the SPTA for Ex IRON CYCLONE. This gave the opportunity to get all moving parts working in unison with equipment support, medical and combat supplies all getting a run out. A1 deployed with a near complete echelon minus a few USTs and some sharp personnel changes. This didn’t faze a command duo of ‘no nonsense’ Capt Oldfield and his level- ler MTWO Oakes. MT Sgt Duncan went to extreme levels to ensure he didn’t play any part in the deployment, and decided that breaking his neck impersonating Evel Knievel during the Army Enduro Championships the weekend before deployment seemed like the better deal. The G4 chain managed to sustain the Battlegroup throughout Ex IC which was no small task. After smashing out a very success- ful exercise the Squadron looked forward to the ‘Summer of Love’, a wide spread of adventure training which saw many Hussars getting away to challenge themselves on many activities. The Regimental Football team managed to jet off to sunny Cyprus, “It’s not a holiday, honest”, under the ‘Gaffer’ SSgt Spencer.
With the summer of love coming to an end, attentions switched swiftly to the familiar upcoming LEA inspec- tions. Headed up by the QM(T) Capt Alec Walton, RQMS(T) Mossop and the ASM Jack Coates giving the full ‘laser beam’ treatment, the LEA team didn’t really stand a chance! All departments delivered excellent results throughout, with praise coming from the inspection team on the efforts of the Regiment.
We look to finish the year with some Christmas festivities and with 2024’s calendar brimming with activity it promises to be a busy affair with all hands-on deck. The year will see the Sqn operating in the UK and Germany. I have no doubt the Sqn and its fine Hussars will continue to support the Regiment’s operational activity pushing forward on to next year.
CD