Page 44 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

Following a highly enjoyable two months summer leave, A Sqn reformed under a new command team and re-joined a regi-
ment facing a small barrage of Support to Experimentation and Training (SET) and Military Aid to the Civil Authority (MACA) tasks. As part of this, a request for a Sabre troop plus SHQ to support the Army Warfighting Experiment 2021 (AWE 21) landed in Maj Bullock’s inbox. AWE is the main event in the Infantry Trials and Development Unit’s calendar and A Sqn stepped up hoping to see, as well as be part of, the latest in equipment trials. A suspi- ciously unclear Admin Instruction only indicated that we were to form part of ‘the enemy’ alongside a section from 1 LANCS and defend the village of Copehill Down (CDV). The volume of other tasks facing A Squadron meant that only a handful of individuals were available for the task. After a swift re-ORBAT, a troop plus SHQ deployed for a three-week saga that can best be summarised as ‘Challengers and Cheeseburgers’.
The arrival brief introduced us to the first of our two enemies for the next three weeks; a troop of Challenger 2 (CR2) Main Battle Tanks manned by the Queen’s Royal Hussars. The brief further explained that we were to take part in a demonstration on Shrewton Street where we would engage the assaulting CR2s before a brief pursuit thorough CDV. We also discovered that we would all be wearing TES for the scenario and therefore be able to be killed. Now, any rational individual would struggle to see how the unarmoured Jackal would last long in defence against an advancing troop of CR2. However, the troop had two advantages; the close urban environment and the high confidence of the ‘hatch up’ CR2 crews. A Squadron soon discovered
that a well-aimed burst of GPMG and HMG targeted at the unsuspecting heads of the CR2s Commander and Operator was enough to trigger their TES vests, killing them off. Sadly, the odds soon returned heavily in the CR2s favour as the crews learnt of our tactics; however it was a useful learning experience for all on the advantage of surprise.
During the downtime at CDV between rehearsals, the Troop was soon introduced to our second enemy of the three weeks - ‘Aga’s’ burger van. The resident tuck shop of CDV had their grill firing on all cylin- ders, supplying hungry troops with cheese- burgers. The deployed troop may have been defeated by the relentless cheeseburg- ers had it not been for our secret weapon
of LCpl Powderly’s unflinching appetite which kept young Aga on the backfoot. Thankfully for our waistlines, Sgt Thurtle was on hand to work the troops hard in PT including some training on the ‘three sisters’ in Warminster for the upcoming Bismarck’s Challenge.
The final week saw a transition from the CDV battle lanes to a trials phase. The LDs were now partnered with the QRH working together to trial Babcock’s new replica Russian AFVs. The troop advanced to find the enemy before handing them off to the CR2s to engage. An interest- ing and useful partnership with an asset we are not normally partnered with. Cpl Julian also used the time to deliver both MATT 3 BCD assessments and a MATT 5 navigation practical which then led into a night navigation. Cpl Lauder also took the Sqn through some in-depth recovery drills in preparation for Wessex Storm in February 22. Overall, the deployment on AWE 21 was a rewarding experience, allowing individuals to gain experience on the Jackal platform whilst working hard to deliver a tangible output in support of experimentation.
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
AWE 21: Challengers and Cheeseburgers
The 2IC provides words of support to Tpr McMurrough during Troop Level Recovery
LCpl Powderley appears defeated by the legendary ‘double double’ burger
A Squadron valiantly defending Shrewton Street in the face of Challenger 2’s
DJ
42