Page 151 - RSDG Year of 2023

in Sennelager, Germany. While the Scots DG BG deployed purely as LOCONs for the exercise, they took the opportunity to increase their sets and reps of BG planning. For the 97 TACP and Joint Fires Cell, it was a great chance to reintegrate Fires back into the mindset of the Regiment ahead of both CAST and our upcoming WESSEX STORM.
Never standing still for long, the L Bty TACP swiftly deployed on Ex FLASH BANG, a 1 RHA Air Cell exercise, working with UK Apache attack helicopters in the east of England. On return from Summer Leave, deployed on Ex MIGHTY STRIKE in Bordeaux with 68th (African) Regiment of Artillery of the French Army. In France, the TACP trained with JTACs from France, Italy and Spain and controlled French Rafaele Aircraft, including control of live 500lb laser-guided bombs, along with gun strafe attacks. It also involved dry training in the local area. T, the TACP made the most of the downtime and visited Lourdes in the weekend stand down, along with WWII battle sites of Pegasus Bridge, and Pointe-du-Hoc on the outward and return journey. Capt Taylor returned early, to deploy on Ex SCORPION CYCLONE, a 1 DRS Bde exercise on Salisbury plain... which mainly involved CAS via CUBIC simulation integrated with AWES - which looks and feels more like a computer game than close air support.
Concurrently the 97 TACP, back in its primary role, supported the Scots DG BG on CAST and Ex WESSEX STORM. They were unfortunately plagued by workforce shortages on WESSEX STORM, as Capt Hebblewhite was deployed at 4 days’ notice on Op ELGIN in support of the SRF BG. Having arrived in Kosovo it was quickly apparent that the KFOR Airspace Control Means (ACMs) were not designed to allow the full gambit of the BG’s mission. To alleviate this problem, a team led by Capt Hebblewhite was seconded to the KFOR 2* HQ to advise their Air Cell on alternate ways to ensure the safe, but more efficient, use of their airspace. This culminated in a successful brief to Commander KFOR and the subsequent revision of their ACMs.
L Bty TACP deployed on Ex FAST DAGGER in RAF Lossiemouth, the Highlands, and Cape Wrath Air Weapons Range to work with 6 Sqn RAF. This saw one week of controlling Typhoon FGR4 Aircraft in simulated attacks of the sleepy highland towns of Tomintoul and Buckie – allowing opportunity for a few munros to be bagged in the downtime. The exercise concluded with live controls at Cape Wrath, laser guiding Paveway IV bombs onto the range; as well as enjoying the deafening spectacle of the jets flying at low level on the rocky coast. Meanwhile their TACP 2IC deployed on Ex DIAMOND BACK to work with the QDG, and one of the USA’s ASOS teams for 6 weeks.
In January the 97 Bty TACP deployed on Ex TEMPO THUNDER 23.2, their bi-annual currency exercise at Moody AFB, Georgia, USA. Working with the USAF’s 41st Rescue Sqn and the 74th Sqn (Flying Tigers) is a significant privilege, these units use the HH-60 Pavehawk and A-10 Warthog respectively, and are the best at what they do. The A-10 is a dedicated CAS aircraft and is capable of extremely low-level strikes onto pre-identified targets; the exercise included both dynamic dry training and live gun strafes of 30mm. The 41st were incredibly accommodating this year and conducted Pavehawk helicopter troop movements (doors open, feet out) while conducting evasion drills, subsequently dropping us off and then allowing us to conduct live CAS onto targets, before conducting MEDIVAC training back to Moody AFB. In all, some world class training. Making the most out of the location the TACP also conducted cultural trips to Jacksonville and the Kennedy Space Centre.
An exciting career opportunity awaits. Interested Soldiers and Officers are encouraged to reach out to their RCMO and Capts Hebblewhite & Taylor. The Light Cavalry soldier has all the skills required to excel in this unique and exciting trade.
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