Page 24 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
SSM
HQ Squadron
2021 began thick and fast for HQ Squadron, with much of the Squadron deployed on Op NEWCOMBE 1 in Mali as part of the A1 Echelon or the NSE. The remainder of the Squadron kept the home fires burning as part of the rear operations group (ROG) in Gaza Barracks under Maj Davison as OC ROG .
As quickly as the tour came round, so did the first operation, Op ELWAN, which saw the Op NEWCOMBE Battlegroup (BG) deploy on their first long range desert patrol, an Operation that would see the logistics chain stretched and put to test with personnel and vehicles hav-
OC 2IC
ing to endure high temperatures of 40-50 degrees over incredibly challenging ter- rain that went from deep sand, vast sand dunes to volcanic rock beds and wadis. As the battlegroup deployed out the BGLO, Maj Stott and QM, Capt Cuthbertson sup- ported the effort alongside the National Support Element (NSE) from the main operating base at Camp Bagnold. While operating forward, the resupply and med cover for troops was provided under the watchful eye of Capt Buchan and his A1 echelon team.
In early February Capt Simpson deployed to conduct handover-takeover of the NSE
with Capt Cuthbertson and close out the second half of the tour. The unsung heroes as ever, the NSE and A1 battled with the RAF and supply chains to ensure the BG was fully resourced and equipped. It seemed as fast as the UK was finding SV Axils the heat and terrain was causing them to break. The germans were even roped in to provide a resupply 80km from camp to A1 and the Norwegians carried out an air drop of rations for the Nigerian Battalion that the BG secured and distrib- uted. The LAD proved pivotal in keep- ing the BG operational as the length and intensity of the operations continued to ramp up through the tour, turning span-
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