Page 48 - RSDG Year of 2023

46 EAGLE AND CARBINE
full scaling, and much in terms of volume of equipment had changed drastically since we re-rolled to Light Cav. The prospect for crews and individuals to have actual ownership of the vehicles and equipment they are going to use for the next 12-18 months should be seen a massive opportunity to get good at looking after and training with our kit, becoming actual SMEs of our trade. Having received all the above-mentioned kit, it set us up well for our major training exercise of 2023, Ex WESSEX STORM.
The Regiments bi-annual validation - Ex WESSEX STORM – was slightly different for the QM(T) dept. Due to infra restrictions around the Salisbury Plain area, SCOTS DG had to effectively raise a camp to be based out of and used as a focal point for the beginning and end of the ex. The QM(T) dept which forms the backbone of A2 echelon, was based out of Avon Compound, instead of being deployed in the field. With this came many pros and cons; what wasn’t a con, was the quality of food on offer by our own chefs, who had become talk of the town; not very good for the already large waistlines of the dept! however, what it did allow us to focus on was the constant stream of spares required to keep over 150 vehicles on the road. We thoroughly made use of B Ech & 1REME who supplied drivers for all the unit collects, no matter where you go it’s at least a four hour round trip. The exercise was a success
for the regiment, and the A2 has no small part to play in keeping the fighting force on the road.
2023 seen the change of the QM(T), with Capt Chart leaving for QM London District; if anyone needs any cheap accommodation in London, you know who to call, and replaced by Capt Robinson, who has returned from RACTR, Bovington. SSgt ‘Maaaaaark’ Hallam was also promoted to WO2 and took over MTWO, thank you for your 17yrs as the JAMES SNCO! a wealth of experience that held together the dept whilst deployed on NEWCOMBE. Taking over was SSgt Christopher `Chrissy` McQuarrie, who had returned from the Recruiting Group after a cushty three years; into the fire some may say! We also said goodbye to Pte Burenivalu, who left us on promotion and welcomed Pte Ralolo, both are part of our RLC LSD.
Looking into the new year for SCOTS DG and the tech dept. VJTF(L) is going to remain talk of the town, and what we must support; exercises across Germany and Poland, plus the constant drum beat of maintaining the regiment on readiness.