Page 26 - RSDG Year of 2023

24 EAGLE AND CARBINE
The next big-ticket event was CAST in Warminster and another deployment for Command Troop and the G4 wrap of Chefs, Drivers and BGHQ. This was the big test to give us the start point for Exercise WESSEX STORM in October. Command Troop pulled it out the bag again and under the direction of SSgt Callum Chrisite they ensured BGHQ were in the best position to get underway in a barn on the edge of Salisbury Plain training area. Another week of late nights and tactical action saw BGHQ suitably impress the testing staff of Warminster and receive another great report. This was effectively our ‘Mock’ driving test in preparation for WESSEX STORM. Again, another long drive back to Leuchars followed, unfortunately for the Second in Command Maj Ross Anderson he was a passenger with the EME Capt Dan McNeil and HQ Sqn Leader Maj Dez O’Connor. The car they had was great apart from the puncture on the M6 and the lack of a spare in new cars. This meant that a D&M Instructor and an EME were in charge of the issue and the foam tire filler was used, then 5 unscheduled stops to re inflate the said puncture before finally getting into Leuchars 3 hours later than expected.
An opportunity presented itself in the way of a Coronation Celebration which we tied in with a visit from Air Vice Marshall Paterson. This took the form of a briefing to the Air Vice Marshall in RHQ then a visit to see some of the troops and then a Drumhead Service. Brigadier David Alfrey also attended as he happened to be in Scotland doing a spot of fly fishing. There was then a lunch in each of the messes before the Air Vice Marshall departed and we all quickly returned to vehicle preparation.
In the last 12 months we have said goodbye to Capt Stevie Chart who is off to QM London District, Capt Bruce Barclay to 154 RLC, WO1 Neil Dolan and SSgt Andrew Colclough on the end their service. WO1 RSM Stevie Brown also finished his service. We wish them all the very best in their next chapter. The Squadron then welcomed Capt Scott Robinson as the new QMT, Capt Stewart Lansberry as the new MTO and WO1 RSM Charles Lang as the 31st Regimental Sergeant Major of the Regiment. WO1 Samual Scarrot as the new ASM and SSgt William McCormick as HQ SQMS, SSgt Nicholas Pocock as BSM, SSgt Christopher McQuarrie as the JAMES SNCO and again we wish them the very best in their new roles.