Page 100 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Counter-Terrorism STTT
multinational triservice Ex Bright Star 21. 5000 people from 21 nations would take part in a 3-week long exercise in the Egyptian deserts, skies and seas. The UK contingent fell under a ‘Counter Terrorism Training and Advisory Team’ banner and through some backdoor deals and relent- less pestering to RHQ I was able to get two LDs out to support: Cpl Dabbs and LCpl Wilkinson. A last-minute request for two typhoons from Cyprus to join in the air component was also met. As with many of the tasks out there, mission command was in full flow and oversight low. Typically, it was a case of ‘you need to achieve X and you have Y pounds...enjoy.’ LCpl Dabbs and Wilkinson certainly saw the benefit of this as their time was either spent on
Following the route of the LRDG
ranges with SOF teams or lying by the pool at the Hilton Hotel.
Straight off the back of this exercise, I assisted with the planning and execution of a Counter Terrorism STTT with the Egyptian SF. Joining the team of 30 who travelled over from the UK, I was fortunate to learn a lot myself on med, snipers, CIED and CQB. This led into an Army Polo Tournament hosted by Egypt’s wealthiest man, ministerial visits and a second visit by Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME), Air Marshal Martin Sampson. As we entered into Oct/Nov I was given the opportunity to organise the El Alamein Commemoration Service and Remembrance Day Service.
Assessing the security situation in Siwa
With DAs and Ambassadors from over 50 countries attending each service it was the perfect opportunity to schmooze.
My time in Egypt concluded with one final surprise as HRH Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, toured the country for their first overseas visit since the inception of COVID. Tagging along with his security detail to provide what can only be described as little to no contribu- tion, their return to the UK happened to coincide with my end of posting and I was afforded the opportunity to fly back on the Royal Flight. In true LD fashion I spent a pleasant final night in Cairo venturing to all of my favourite bars and saying my goodbyes. This led to a not-so-pleasant hangover. Luckily, I got on the flight, turned my seat into a bed and fell asleep. However, two hours in I was awoken by ‘who is the fellow?’ I rolled over to find HRH standing over me. After tucking my shirt in and trying my best to make myself look presentable we chatted briefly about my time in Egypt. One of HRH’s security team butted in and said ‘Sir, James is usu- ally much more coherent and presentable but after a rather large final night in Cairo, he is a bit worse for wear.’ To which HRH simply replied, ‘bloody brilliant!’
JT
Touring the Pyramids of Giza
HRH Prince Charles visit to Egypt
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