Page 14 - RSDG Year of 2023

12 EAGLE AND CARBINE
(including the immaculately moustachioed ‘subalterns’ scourge’ SSgt Jarret moving to SSM), but the chain of command maintained much stability/continuity, with new faces appearing in the form of Sgts Ross and Starkey (RE). Immediately, we took on a full fleet of vehicles (which we will maintain ownership of until mid-2025) and deployed to Northern Ireland for a comprehensive dismounted firing package. This was a great success, with even new troopers confidently hitting targets at 600m and the foundation set for the next step in our progression. Amidst this, we managed a visit to the Giant’s Causeway, where Tpr Finn Andre narrated the story of his namesake (and PTI inspiration), the giant ‘Finn McCool’.
The next milestone for A Sqn was a return to the SCOTS DG’s old stomping ground of Bergen-Hohne and Sennelager for mounted ranges, troop to squadron level training, and a multinational NATO demonstration exercise alongside 2 R ANGLIAN and NATO partners. Whilst not back in Fallingbostel exactly, the infrastructure, hospitality, and experience in Hohne served as a reminder of what Germany offers. Ably sustained by Gary Smith’s HQ Sqn support team, and despite our HMG gunners seemingly competing to start the biggest range fire, the Sqn progressed seamlessly through ACT and beyond. 12B (Sgt ‘Pablo’ McGuire, Tpr Aurus, and Tpr Bese) secured ‘top gun’ status, and new sight rails combined with the German infrastructure allowed us to fire genuinely ‘black’ on night sights (a first for a light cavalry squadron), achieving half-squadron advance to contact in the process. Beyond this, we received a fulsome welcome everywhere we went, with the local operating the washdown going so far as to proclaim that things had never been the same since the Regiment left and imploring us to come back to rid him of his current employers...
Mounted firing complete, we conducted troop level training on the Bergen-Hohne area, before simulated route recce of brigade insertion routes into a contested border area, and manoeuvre training in Sennelager. New technology enabled us to accomplish all this with aplomb, conducting advances, crossings, and withdrawals on radio silence, culminating in two simultaneous sqn/coy group attacks with B Coy 2 R ANGLIAN. Many in the squadron endured a baptism of fire (or rain) when the German summer broke into apocalyptic storms and final attacks turned amphibious, but at least Lt Fooks’ blushes were spared by the weather. His ability to get bogged in every patch of sand was eclipsed by Tiffy Wilby’s team recovering seven R ANGLIAN foxhounds before 0700hrs on the final day. Ultimately, we were able to report that we were ready to start WESSEX STORM in good shape and to conduct an impressive NATO demonstration, before cutting and running for Hamburg and the calibre of R&R familiar to many within the wider Regimental family.