Page 13 - RSDG Year of 2023

EAGLE AND CARBINE 11
Again, A Sqn’s deployment to Oman will be the subject of a more detailed write-up elsewhere, but it merits an overview here. A target of opportunity in the wake of the Mali decision, generated through the hard work and determination of RHQ and brigade staff, all 60 deployed SCOTS DG personnel benefitted from the kind of overseas experience that some feared we may have lost in the closure of BATUS. Two weeks beasting the Anglians around the desert, using civilian 4x4s and some of the most advanced optics in service, preceded an epic combined- arms live-firing package and then a month of AT, sport, and exploring Oman (a country both stunning and hospitable in equal measure). On the latter, it is important to point out that we were assisted not only by a compre- hensive ‘grey beret’ network in country (Messrs Gedney,
Leek, Soulsby, and Woodhams), but also by substantial funding from the Regimental Charity. The importance of non-public funds in enabling retention-positive activity for those who felt they had missed a potentially career-defining operational tour cannot be overstated. Deep-sea fishing, golfing on the Sultan of Oman’s course, expeditions to Mirbat/Salalah/Muscat, wadi-bashing, etc would not have been possible without generous financial support from the Regiment. This gave us the freedom to exploit such a wonderful country that was the envy of our infantry counterparts. Post-Easter, the Sqn came back together to start the readiness pathway for NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Land) from 1 Jan 24. The requisite re-ORBAT saw many of our key characters depart to form support weapons troops within C Sqn