Page 13 - 1RHA 2023

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
E Bty JNCO development day in Tartu, Estonia
execute function of the Battlegroup, but this time in the field. After a week of RSOI and vehicle preparation, E Battery rolled out of the back gate of Athlone Barracks onto the deceptively temperate Sennelager Training Area. The first phase of the exercise was a rehearsal of the mission sets that would be tested in the CALFEX, and the Battery deployed on the Training Level F exercise, to live fire once again. To add value to the exercise, it appeared to E Bat- tery, that Battle Group HQ had booked the weather, as a few days later the heavens opened and the temperature dropped. With the aid of the Battle Group Engineers, the Battery also conducted an obstacle crossing package, which was designed to test drivers’ and commanders’ ability to traverse the battlefield with limited visibility and situational awareness. The second phase of the exercise was the much anticipated CALFEX, which saw FSTs punched out to their sub units, with the remainder of the Bat- tery poised to provide Battle Group fires. The rain turned to snow, giving certain subalterns the opportunity to flaunt their issued moustaches and the Seniors to enjoy a photo shoot as the Battle Group continued their planning cycles, however special mention must go to Bdr Stewart who found himself the only DC in action on the final attack and fired 158 rounds in one engagement alone. E Battery’s wonderland continued into a third week, as the Bat- tle Group conducted a final dry phase of Ex TALLINN DAWN. In this week, the Battle Group embarked upon weeklong scenario, which combined the offensive and defensive actions employed in the weeks previous. After it’s successful completion, Shiny E returned to camp with promotions for Bdrs Walton, Nicklin and Thomas, just in time for some well-deserved leave.
In March, E Battery deployed to Estonia as part of Op CABRIT 12 as an element of the eFP Battle Group. After a short bedding in
Arty Group stretcher race team, RSM’s Challenge Op CABRIT 12
period, the Battery deployed personnel on Ex BOLD MONSOON and Ex BOLD HUSSAR. In May E Battery deployed on Ex SPRING STORM, which is an annual event in the Estonian training calen- dar, designed to facilitate the validation of the eFP Battle Group and the Estonian conscripts. It is a multi-national exercise, incor- porating British, Estonian, US and French troops, as well as NATO forces from across the B3P Joint Operating Area, which gave the Battery the chance to meet and work alongside partner nations in an operational context. E Battery again provided Battle Group fires, this time in support of a Battle Group DELAY, across public land. Moving over public land provided another challenge to vehicle commanders across E Battery, worrying about whether parking tickets could be issued to an AS90. Initially a dry exercise, the Bat- tery cut their teeth against a live enemy garnished in red mine tape, of exceptional note was the impromptu modified indirect missions, leading to the BK Capt C Davey RHA expertly dispatching 2x US Humvees at close range. Shiny E rounded out Ex SPRING STORM with a multi-national live fire package. The Battery conducted mis- sions alongside French CAESAR, Estonian K-9s, UK MLRS and US HIMARs as well as a number of air and aviation assets. A real show of force and dominance by all NATO partners involved, contribut- ing to the reassure and deter function of the Battlegroup. The Gun Line was also visited by the Estonian President, allowing for them to display their battle winning capability.
Whilst on Op CABRIT 12 E Battery deployed on numerous other live fire packages, such as Ex GOTHIC TEMPLATE and Ex GOTHIC STRIKE, making the most of the opportunity to become more technically proficient and importantly to mark the end of E Battery’s association with the AS90 after more than 30 years of service. More than happy to show off the guns, the Battery
The Queen’s Royal Hussars Battlegroup on Op CABRIT 12, E Bty soldiers are in the centre right and E Bty Guns are in the centre of the leaguer
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