Page 29 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

EAGLE AND CARBINE 27 MOTOR TRANSPORT TROOP
Major Dez O’Connor
We returned from Christmas leave refreshed and ready to tackle the busy year ahead. 2022 has seen the troop put to the test on exercise and ranges whilst providing our critical ‘normal business’ support to the regiment. We have also supported a huge number of last-minute trawls with our professional approach and positive attitude. MT has delivered all that has been asked of it with a little added shine.
The beginning of the year saw the arrival of the new MTO, Captain Barclay. He hit the ground running with ensuring the regiment had all the correct driving quali- fications for the its upcoming deployment overseas, whilst still just managing to complete his various daily duties as MTO. It is fair to say he relied heavily on the MTWO, Paddy Kelly, to keep him right in his first few months, having never served in MT before. The troop was again bolstered as Sgt Atkin walked through the door to take over as Troop Sergeant. The addition of Troopers Mullins, Hodgkinson, Rice, Nagy, Johnston, Reid and Woods have only strengthened the reputation of the troop. The troop effort is underpinned by a strong ethos of hard work and a willingness to go over and above to support the regiment where possible, a fine example of which being the MTWO spending many a night taking time to dig into the wonders of army policy (whilst sipping a beer) to create new ways to navigate the system and supply transport, within the proper legal boundaries.
It is not all work, however. LCpl Lee was selected to support the adventure training centre in Inverness where he has qualified in mountain bike leader and mountain leader trainer and will be a key instructor for the regiment on his return to RD.
Under the guidance of the MTWO, MT has developed a reputation for efficiency and professionalism. An