Page 27 - QDG Volume 9 No. 2 2021

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
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HQ SQMS looking for a golf course
of the highest sand dunes in Europe. From July 2021 the ROG, under command of HQ Sqn Ldr (although not formally at this point), was required to take over most responsibilities, allowing the deploying elements to concentrate on the Pre-Deployment Training, unim- peded by the day-to-day management of the Regiment. The initial training included a Conceptual Study week, MCPX, All Ranks Briefs and a Tactical Commanders’ Cadre. During this period the Regiment also had the Annual Land Equipment Assurance (LEA), which is our annual inspection from the Field Army. Thanks to the hard work and diligence of the QM(T) Capt Jason Davies (Butch) and RQMS(A) WO2 Thomas, a high pass was achieved, not an easy feat with only half the team available and as you have
read, a very busy department.
OP NEWCOMBE 3 is a three hundred
strong Task Group (TG) led by QDG BGHQ, comprising of personnel from thirty-six different Regiments, Battalions, Arms and Corps. Fifty personnel form the National Support Element (NSE), the majority of which are from the QDG Quartermaster department and HQ Sqn. From Jul 2021 the team underwent the UN mandated courses, taking part in logistic seminars to understand the logis- tics procedures and nuances within the UN. They are somewhat different from how we do business within the Field Army.
The Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRX) which was held in Oct 2021 was the first major test for the team. Firstly, preparing Bodney Camp in Thetford was a QDG responsibility with the QM Maj Dan Brown and the RQ(T) WO2 Martyn Ruddy leading the charge with all Real- Life Support (RLS). RQ(A) WO2 Dale Thomas also played a vital part in dealing with the ammunition issues, mainly the excessive amount left-over that Mission Ready Training Centre (MRTC) had ordered. Subsequently, the QM(T) Capt Jason Davies (Butch) and RQ(T) had the mammoth task of organising the vehicle fleet, ensuring that all the platforms were available and ready to conduct the exercise and then organising the
recovery back to their original owners. Also, having to deal with the Mastiff Ridgeback Wolfhound (MRW) fleet in theatre due to the cracked suspension issues... getting the resilience fleet from the UK to Mali on a C17 to replace it was no easy task.
Much credit to the success of the MRX lies in the efforts of the Light Aid Detachment (LAD), led by the Electrical Mechanical Engineer (EME) Capt Archie Selka and the Artificer Sergeant Major (ASM) WO1 Dave Cross. Through their leadership and the ‘can do’ attitude of the whole department
working long hours fixing kit and equipment, the ‘big wheels kept turning’ - with a vehicle availability of over 85% throughout the exercise.
During this exercise the J1
team led by the Regimental Administration Officer (RAO)
Capt Mark Eldridge and
the Regimental Administration Warrant Officer (RAWO) WO2 Chris Farr ensured that all personnel deploying had the correct information and documentation to deploy. The detachment exercised en masse which saw eight (of twelve) SPS move to Bodney. The RAO being the Unit Deployment Officer (UDO) ensured that the movement plan to theatre was fit for purpose, not an easy task when you have thirty-six different units/regiments.
A1 was led by the Motor Transport Officer (MTO) Capt Trev Homer and was essentially a manoeuvre subunit during the MRX and for deployment, responsible for over 23 vehicles from A1 (Stores/Fuel vehicles including the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), Explo- sive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Ground Manoeuvre Surgical Group (GMSG), including the Regimental Aid Post (RAP) led by Maj Charles Lyne-Pirkis). I have to say this has put ten years on the MTO, he is now a well weathered LE. The MRX was a huge success, which set the TG for a successful mission in Mali.
By Oct, the ROG was formally stood up under the direction of Maj Rob Mansel, C Sqn were still deployed in Mali and the remaining elements of HQ, along with B Sqn, were divided into supporting
the MRX as Real Life Support (RLS) or guarding the Camp in Norfolk.
Frenetic activity returned throughout November and December. Firstly, with the recovery of C Sqn from Mali, which was staggered over a period of five weeks, each group arriving at Robertson Barracks in the early hours of the morning where they were greeted by members of HQ ready to conduct the return admin- istration (all under the guidance of the RQ(T) WO2 Thomas and his team). This was intertwined with the deployment of A Sqn, deploying G4 elements of HQ Sqn
and BGHQ all on their way out to Mali to take over the baton of Op NEWCOMBE 3.
We have seen a large influx of QDG recruits pass out of Bovington and arrive in Norfolk over this period and they have formed a troop during the ROG centred around Command Troop. They will spend their
time over the next six months completing courses, AT and low-level training. The Regimental Engagement Team (RET) under Sgt Scott Grills has been a huge success and is, in part, responsible for our strong recruiting numbers (you can read more about the RET in a following article).
December also saw the normal tradi- tional Christmas activities, which is covered in more detail in a following article within this edition. There was also planning and Recces to Wales and the Borders in preparation for Ex Eagles Return, which will be taking place in July 2022 and will see the Regiment parade through the streets of Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, and Hereford with swords drawn, drums beating and Standard flying... we hope to see you there!
I am sure you will agree with my opening comments relating to the sheer amount of activity that has been under- taken by HQ Sqn over this last year and I must commend all members of HQ Sqn for a job well done in achieving our Mission of ensuring the Regiment meets its commitments, with the right equip- ment in the right place at the right time.
RCM
HQ Sqn OC delivering Gunfire on Christmas Day
‘big wheels kept turning’