Page 160 - RSDG Year of 2023

158 EAGLE AND CARBINE
ON ATTACHMENT TO THE ROYAL IRISH
Whilst deployed on Operation NEWCOMBE 4 I was presented with the opportunity to spend two years on secondment with 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment. This struck me as an invaluable opportunity for profes- sional development and diversification so I gladly accepted.
The position I was to fill was that of D (Mounted Reconnaissance) Company second-in-command. The Battalion has recently re-rolled to a Light Reconnaissance Strike (LRS) unit within 16 Air Assault Brigade. LRS seeks to give the Brigade increased mobility and fire power, with an ability to expand the lodgement when conducting Tactical Air Landing Operations. D Company were to be mounted on Jackals and essentially replicate a Light Cavalry Squadron- hence the requirement for a supposed SME!
I arrived at Battalion in March, fresh off POTL. I did not have time to unpack my boxes before deploying the following week on the infamous Exercise WESSEX STORM. This proved to be the usual rollercoaster of emotions, with morale hitting the roof when the Exercise was extended by a week. This was due to the deployment of our OPFOR to Cyprus in response to events in Sudan. A particularly memorable moment was receiving a FaceTime call from the SCOTS DG Subbies who were out enjoying their Cavalry Memorial eve supper. They were of course delighted to see me sat in a woodblock in the rain whilst they enjoyed Espresso Martinis.
A quick turnaround for the Battalion followed before deploying on Exercise RANGERS ASCENT, an adventurous training trip in the South of France. Troops had a range of activities to choose from including Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing and Via Ferrata. A massively enjoyable few weeks for the Battalion was much deserved after a very busy period.
September saw the Battalion deploy on Exercise PEGASUS AMARANTE in Oman. The aim was to rehearse Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations with 1RIRISH and 2PARA providing the OPFOR for 2 RGR and an airborne unit from the French Foreign Legion who were to conduct the Exercise. This of course all changed as soon as we arrived in country. 2RGR were stood up to respond to the deteriorating situation in Israel meaning 1RIRISH became the exercising troops. The blue uniforms
were packed away and MTP was donned. My dreams of experiencing the holiday enjoyed by C Squadron on Exercise KHANJAR OMAN in 2021 always seemed far too good to be true! A successful Exercise was followed by few days spent at the glorious Duqm Crowne Plaza.
On return to Clive Barracks, the LRS concept was further interrogated, and it was decided the Battalion would again re-structure, splitting the mounted reconnaissance platoons across the rifle companies to facilitate readiness cycles. I now find myself as second-in-command of D (Support) Company, which contains the Sniper, Mortar, Reconnaissance, Anti-Tank and Machine Gun Platoons. Here, my Light Cavalry experience is slightly less relevant but I am enjoying the challenge and learning a lot.
I write from Val d’Isere, currently deployed on Exercise FROSTED BLADE which is the infantry alpine skiing exercise. My presence is often met with surprise, with people questioning how a Cavalryman has found himself here. The inevitable ridicule of my non-attendance at the Platoon Commanders Battle Course routinely follows. At least I can hold a knife and fork correctly- IBS clearly doesn’t teach Infanteers everything! I look forward to returning to Leuchars and the Regiment in 2025.
Capt B Binks