Page 17 - RSDG Year of 2023

saw two named storms come through. I was, frankly, concerned at how the Squadron would perform, since we had not deployed in a conventional context for several years, and had not had the opportunity for much conven- tional training in the run up to the exercise. However, I need not have worried. From the outset the Squadron’s performance was exemplary. Our first tactical action was an advance to screen, during which the Observer Mentors were singularly unable to find us (despite being able to track our location). We then moved on to the live-firing CALFEX. This was the first time the Squadron truly stood out. In the mounted manoeuvre phase we managed to comprehensively out-manoeuvre the targetry (by means of local counter attacks in the Delay). The dismounted Raid, despite being more suited to an infantry platoon than a Lt Cav Squadron, was a success. The Squadron hit H-hr beautifully, with the Javelin missile smacking the target just as the first illum shell popped above us, and the troops pushing through the FUP. All this set the stage for the blank-fire phase of the Exercise, against a real life enemy played by 2 Royal Anglian.
Here the Squadron continued to impress. What I found is that such is the quality of the junior leadership within the Squadron that I could trust them to act in accordance with my Intent with considerable mission command. The Squadron essentially ran itself. Where this was most apparent is when the inevitable frictions arose. For example, on the second dismounted Squadron Raid (blank this time) the Squadron was given a challenging route in to the objective, via public roads, coming back onto the training area through a little-used lane near Knook Camp. During the move in, the Squadron 2iC’s vehicle expired ignominiously (taking our only complex radio fit with it). The route back onto the training area did not (as I had feared) turn out to have a locked gate. What it did have was a narrow winding lane through a dense
forest in a comms black spot with a low telephone wire which was ripped down by one of the first vehicles. This led to, not only, considerable communications disruption in Heytsbury, but also the Squadron getting stuck in this pitch black forest with a vehicle caught on the wire and all the others backed up behind it, and the clock ticking down to H-Hr. Moreover, the lead elements reached the Zulu muster to discover it was in a field of organic crops, and the farmer was not pleased at having his livelihood flattened and his internet disconnected on the same night. However, after I personally dragged the cable off the road to get the Squadron moving again, we managed to get into a hastily re-sited Zulu Muster. The lead assaulting Troop was the one whose vehicle had been caught in the telephone wire (and immobilised) and as a result they clearly were not going to make H-Hr, so the Reserve Troop was pushed to the front and after a brisk two kilometre tab uphill we got into the FUP with three minutes to spare. The measure of a soldier is how they react to adversity, and as the plan went to pieces the Squadron launched its attack with the wrong troops in the wrong place, a trail of irate farmers and downed telegraph poles, and no comms to higher, nonetheless bang on time.
Now as 2023 draws to a close, the Squadron is busily rehabilitating the vehicles in preparation for VJTF(L) readiness next year. We inherited the Mali fleet, which means that most of the vehicles are yellow, and have had a very hard few years being thrashed over the Sahel. It is a truly impressive achievement that these vehicles were turned around for mounted ranges then WESSEX STORM in only a few weeks. The Mutant ethos continues from strength to strength. I am honoured, proud, and grateful for the opportunity to lead such soldiers.
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