Page 35 - RSDG Year of 2023

us well with few problems, a new diff here, a new drive shaft there, but the work conducted while learning to live on an open architecture vehicle gave the junior members of the section plenty of experience and lessons learned, especially on the final day as there was a massive down pour. Many assumed it was going to remain hot and sunny. They quickly learned that no matter what, you should always waterproof and pack away kit correctly. Lessons they took on board as we moved ever closer towards Ex WS 2/23 on Salisbury Plain in Nov and Dec.
SSgt Spence – B Sqn Fitter Section Commander – NATO Readiness Force Validation, Ex WESSEX STORM 2/23. Oct 2023 – Nov 2023.
Having been promoted to Acting Rank (like three of my fellow Section Commanders at one point or another this year) I was under no illusions that my biggest challenge personally would be enabling B Squadron to achieve its training objectives on SPTA. What we had on our side was an outstanding learning culture amongst Troopers and Craftsman alike, professionalism across my Cl 1 trades- persons and a great relationship with our Sqn HQ. We had the toughest lead up to WESSEX STORM of any Fitter Section or Sqn. We received the Mali HMTV Fleet just six
weeks prior to the start of the exercise and had to deploy on both LFTTX and CALFEX during this period. We also lost a couple of the team and gained a couple of fresh faces straight from training. We did not have a Production Sergeant (that should have been me) but to our credit, I thought my team were hugely resilient in dealing with such a challenging uplift in equipment in the run up to Validation. Cpl McHattie and Cpl Kennedy both deserve enormous credit.
During Ex WESSEX STORM, the BG exercised against a peer/peer-plus Task Force Hannibal provided by an LMI Coy from 2 R ANGLIAN and an AI Coy from 1 MERCIAN. As well as keeping our HMTV and PCLV on the road, we would have to be rigid with EMCON and physical camouflage and concealment drills. We were equipped with the eDSA2 C2 platform (a mobile phone with situational awareness App and Messaging) which revolutionised how we operated. The OCs Reports and Returns, notification of Breakdown, or tasks were sent via message to SHQ/BHQ. We were able to pass a raft of data instantaneously. We also managed to integrate an absolute game changer of a vehicle in the Army’s new Light Weigh Recovery Vehicle (LWRV). As a Section Commander, I
B Sqn Fitters – Ex WESSEX STORM 2/23 Nov 2023
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