Page 18 - 1RHA 2024

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
transitioning to the L118 Light Gun and underscores our adapt- ability to new challenges and commitment to excellence.
Ex CABRIT TEMPEST
E Battery deployed to Castlemartin, a picturesque location on the sunny Welsh Riviera. Our participation was part of the broader Royal Dragoon Guards Battlegroup, with our role a Direct Sup- port L Battery Tac Gp. The exercise, initially planned as a CAL- FEX, encountered an unexpected challenge related to safety: concerns arose about the adequacy of hearing protection for the safety team. In response, the exercise was redrawn, however it demonstrated E Battery’s adaptability and readiness to tackle unforeseen changes.
The exercise commenced with a rigorous command post exer- cise. During this phase, E Battery’s command posts and L Bat- tery’s FSTs were put to the test. They executed a series of fire missions, including danger-close scenarios, last safe moment engagements, and various fire plans. Our performance was exemplary, achieving successful outcomes and reinforcing our readiness for live-fire operations. This set up the gun line well to practice these missions live, with huge success and positive feedback from the training team. E Battery’s emphasis on data- driven approaches played a pivotal role. They leveraged precise communication between the command posts and the gun line, allowing them to efficiently coordinate fire missions. Almost all fire missions were executed over data.
On the penultimate day of the exercise, E Battery took the oppor- tunity to test and refine our ability to execute different deploy- ments and quick action fire missions when on the move. Nota- bly, a dispersed deployment strategy garnered praise from the training team, highlighting our ability to rise to the challenge and utilising ground that wouldn’t necessarily be ideal. The fitters sec- tion once again came to the rescue and under the direction of
Sgt Otterbech and Cpl Walton, recovered Step Up CP’s stranded Bulldog back to the garage and enabling the troops to get back out on the area to continue the exercise with minimum delay.
As the exercise was approaching its conclusion, the Gun Num- bers 1 and their detachments were put to the test, engaging in a direct fire mission in response to the updated tactical scenario. Their rose to the challenge and successfully conducted their drills and once again, displayed E Battery’s unwavering ability to per- form under pressure.
Colours Parade
During Ex CABRIT TEMPEST, the E Battery Tac Gp stepped up to represent the battery to parade the changing of the colours from the AS90 to Archer. Under the guidance of SSgt Wynn, the Tac Gp stood tall and embodied the unit’s pride and tradition. His leadership and the commitment to excellence shown by eve- ryone ensured a well-executed and flawless parade and overall resounding success.
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