Page 20 - RSDG Year of 2023

18 EAGLE AND CARBINE
Throughout all the melodramas and the long winding roads to get B Sqn and subsequently A and HQ Sqn out the door to Mali, C Sqn had stood resolute in its role supporting both deployments. Backfilling deploying subunits, propping up the ROG and taking on many of the UK related tasks that fell on the Regiments plate over the period.
However, in the April 2023 with the Regiment’s return from operations, C Sqn was reborn as the new Surveillance Target and Acquisition (STA) Sqn. The Sqn would incorporate an Anti-Tank Troop, a Sniper Troop and a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) Troop. Under the command of Maj Nick Taylor supported WO2 Jarret as Sergeant Major.
Due to the gap in support weapons training brought about by COVID and operational cycles the first task was train and “badge” the junior members of the Sqn. This was helped by a strong cohort of NCOs Cpl Blair and Cairns from Snipers and Cpls Megahy and Sokia from Anti-Tanks. From May to July both troops headed off to Otterburn to join 4 SCOTS on their respective cadres. From Anti-Tanks Troopers Stevenson, Rankin, Scott, Dvylaitis, Wacawaca where all successful and became Javelin fires. From Snipers Troopers Jolly, McConville and Kempster performed above the standard throughout
and became badged snipers. Within a few short months of existence C Squadron now had competent and credible Anti-Tank dets and Sniper pairs.
The Pipes and Drums had a new challenge, on top of their musical commitments they were to become the new sUAS Troop. As a new direction of travel for the Regiment, we could not rely on the wealth of experience that the other two Troops had. As such Cpls Holbrough, Gray and Clark went to Brecon to become S3 operators. This gave the foundation, however sights had to quickly change focus to the Basel Tattoo preparations.
Those from Sniper Troop who were not involved on the cadres had an excellent opportunity to support 663 Sqn Army Air Corps a unit we would be working with as part of VJTF(L). Ex VOIJEK HIGHLANDER saw snipers insert into OPs and successfully avoid detection form the new AH-64E Apache.
After summer leave all three Troops deployed on the Patrols competition Anti-Tanks under Lt Todorov, Snipers under Lt Baker-Cresswell and a composite sUAS, SHQ and LAD Troop under SSgt Williams. All three patrols performed well, but SSgt William showed that a team made up with “Jack of all trades” could complete with masters of one and finished in the top three.
C SQUADRON
Capt O Horridge & Maj MP Houstoun