Page 22 - RSDG Year of 2023

20 EAGLE AND CARBINE
Squadron Leader, I was grateful for my complex fit radios and space to command and control the Squadron out of the lashing rain! Some members of SHQ were less delighted about my aversion to trailers but discovered you can also ‘fight light’ in a vehicle. For the Anti-Tank Troop, the live fire phase was a highlight with 2 JAVELIN Missiles and 4 NLAW Missiles fired. Meanwhile the Snipers highlight was enduring a very draughty belly hide maintaining eyes on the Main Effort for 48hrs... Unfortunately for the sUAS Troop the awful weather restricted the amount of flying they could do but when they could this battle winning capability added vast amounts of value to our situational awareness and a huge number of lessons were learnt for the future employment of drones in the battle group. The work done to grow this capability so quickly is seriously impressive.
As we pulled into the leaguer on ENDEX 30A PANTHER spluttered and died, for a vehicle that was due to go out of service in 2014 and ran continuously for the whole exercise we maybe shouldn’t have been surprised but also couldn’t help but be grateful that we weren’t going to have to endure the cramped sears for the drive back to Leuchars. The recovery and rehabilitation from Salisbury Plain went well and just as the temperatures dropped, we were back home intime for Christmas in a day and some well-deserved leave.
2023 has been a complex year for the Squadron with its conversion to an STA Squadron and we look forward to consolidating our skills with cadres in 2024 and supporting the regimental commitment to NATO’s High Readiness Forces.