Page 40 - RSDG Year of 2023

38 EAGLE AND CARBINE
MOTOR TRANSPORT TROOP
Capt S Lansberry
Motor Transport Troop is always busy supporting the needs of Leuchars Station, and this year has been no easy feat. In true MT style, there has been a significant churn in workforce throughout the year. We said farewell to WO2 Kelly who has completed his service and we wish him the best of luck; this opened the door for WO2 Hallam to take the role of MTWO. Capt McCann handed the shaky reins of MTO to Capt Lansberry. We would also like to say our farewells to Cpl Stevenson and Tpr Mcdade for their exemplary contributions to the troop. We wish them both success in their future careers.
This year saw our soldiers supporting numerous exercises, operations, and events. Tpr Sutherland deployed to Mali with A Sqn. A multi-nations exercise that provided vital experience for our younger members of the troop working alongside the German and Swedish armed forces.
Tpr Upson also got a taste of the action on Ex Khanjar Oman and Arcade Ledger in a dismounted role. He found the time to play Cricket against the Expats at the national cricket stadium in Muskat and travel to many cultural sites. LCpl Crichton managed to land himself a warm posting to the British Army training Unit Kenya (BATUK) as the White Fleet JNCO supporting exercising troops. He conducted a multitude of defence engagements with locals nationals and also conducted road safety lessons at local primary schools.
Troopers Woods, Reid, Rice, and Sutherland had the pleasure of being part of King Charles III coronation. A truly historic event that the team was proud to be part of.
After a positive and rewarding tour of Mali, we settled back into regimental life with a well-earned summer leave. Summer leave past quickly as always and we hit the ground running supporting Ex eagle’s Bane, CAST, and preparing for our annual LSA&I inspection and Ex Wessex Storm. A busy time that emptied the troop offices.
It’s now October and preparations for Ex Wessex Storm are in full swing with Sgt Atkin working tirelessly to ensure the fleet was ready for a wet Salisbury Plain. LCpl Metcalf was busy conducting lessons on cam nets and ground sentries whilst Cpl Cabemaiwas was losing hair conducting driver training, with of course the odd stop at the burger van in Dundee.
Preperations are complete and Ex Wessex Storm is upon us. Motor Transport deployed in its full capacity as A1 to
support the battlegroup in it’s validation for Very High Readiness Joint Task Force role in January 2024. An extremely challenging but rewarding exercise on Salisbury Plain due the heavy rain and almost unworkable swamp like conditions. This was a massive test for our recovery section within A1 who was constantly on the go from the off-set. Even the MTO Capt Lansberry managed to get himself boggied although he denies it ever happenned. Living in the field is always a pleasant experience and WO2 Hallam was famous for his luxuirious foot spa’s.
We also had a birthday whilst in the field with Sgt McLaughlan reaching the ripe old age of 34. The amazing chefs pulled out all the stops to make her a cake that must remain undisclosed for obvious reasons.
Endex was called and its now time for stories, troop photos and our Motor Transport worst moustache competition which Trooper Woods was undoudtably the winner.
Ex Wessex Storm was a complete success and as a unit, we validated for VJTF and are now ready for whatever they throw our way in the new year as long as Capt Lansberry is not driving a landrover.
Cpl Dominy was given the huge responsibility of running the Station White fleet whilst the regiment was deployed on Wessex Storm. A truly demanding post supporting the needs of Leuchars Station which took it’s toll on him.
Reflecting on another successful year for Motor Transport troop. The focus now switches to the shaping, execution and sustainment of the vehicle fleet for VJTF. It’s now time to put the fleet to bed and go on a well-deserved Christmas leave.