Page 150 - RSDG Year of 2023

148 EAGLE AND CARBINE
RAC JOINT TERMINAL ATTACK CONTROLLER
Capt Lewis Hebblewhite (TEMPO 51) & Capt Dan Taylor (Flash 41)
There are five Royal Armoured Corps Tactical Air Control Parties (TACPs), with each TACP comprising five Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) and two Battlegroup TACP signallers. Capt Lewis Hebblewhite Scots DG (TEMPO 51), is the incumbent OC of the 97 Bty TACP, 4RA, which is aligned to support the Scots DG. Capt Dan Taylor Scots DG (FLASH 41), having now also qualified as a JTAC, is the OC of L Bty, 1RHA TACP, aligned to support the RDG. This TACP has recently departed 3 RHA for the greener pastures of 1RHA resubordination.
A TACP is forever in high demand and this year has been no different, with each TACP bearing the tasks assigned to it with typical grit and determination. All whilst continually finding opportunities to make the most of their overseas deployments. Since their return from Op NEWCOMBE and with an eye back to warfighting, the Scots DG BG has had renewed support from the 97 Bty TACP throughout this year; additionally, members of the TACP deployed on Op ELGIN in support of the NATO SRF BG. Concurrently the J L Bty TACP has supported three different 1 DRSX Battlegroups and simulation exercises. The small team has also sought to make best use of DCC SQEP to bring training opportunities to the Tac Groups in 1 RHA and 3 RHA.
After much patience, Capt Taylor finally attended the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers Course in RAF Leeming which saw him face the challenges of quickly assimilating close air support procedure, and tacit avoidance of the bizarre practice of wearing of hi-visibility belts during daylight hours. Meanwhile, the L Bty TACP supported 11 Sqn RAF’s PDT training on Ex TERMINAL STRIKE in the Scottish Highlands.
As spring arrived in Northumberland, and activity intensified, the L Bty TACP resubordinated to 1RHA. Capt Taylor’s course was concluded with deployment to Razorback Air Weapons Range in Arkansas, USA to “Clear Hot” live controls and pass the final assessment. Whilst Air-Ground Operations were seamless, the civilian flight back to the UK suffered mechanical issues. Most unfortunately, this resulted in three nights of white space in the United States, which the newly qualified JTACs took eager advantage of.
On return from Easter Leave elements of both 97 Bty and L Bty TACPs deployed on Ex ADRIATIC STRIKE, a massive NATO Air Exercise in Slovenia. Here they controlled a range of fast jet aircraft armed with live weapons and integrated live indirect fire in the Slovenian Alps. Capt Taylor deployed onto Ex CABRIT TEMPEST with B Bty 1 RHA and 1st Bn Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Sennelager, Germany. It was a steep learning curve working with NATO fast jets opposed to the more sedate controlling on the JTAC course! Entering Tornado IDS (the legendary cold war multirole fast jet) into the logbooks was a special moment – the venerable aircraft has long since ended its time in UK service.
Meanwhile, after 18 months supporting any BG besides the Scots DG, the 97 TACP finally returned to support our primary audience on Ex ARCADE LEDGER