Page 62 - QDG Year of 2022 CREST

60 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
The Gambia STTT
In September 2022, a team of 9 pax from B Sqn, QDG, led by Lt Walsh, deployed to The Gambia to conduct an STTT focussed on developing the fighting capability of the Gambian Armed Forces (GAF) in support of their UN pledge. The team delivered a tailored programme specific to The Gambian requirements which included: low level dismounted and mounted combat skills; CIED skills (delivered by our attached RE special- ists); and OBUA, including the application of LOAC and gender-based training.
On arrival to the Gambia, the team was immediately faced with a number of changes and the plan had to be adapted rapidly. It is a credit to the soldiers deployed that they were able to amend their lesson plans to deliver in a completely different area and with far more limited resources. The team was able to draw from a wealth of local expe- rience from both the team from BPST(A) and the GAF Training School instructors assigned to assist in the STTT delivery. Building a working relationship with our Gambian counterparts was vital to the success of the training and the whole team benefited from their assistance, with a special mention going to the iconic Sgt Amadou Bobb, infamously known amongst the GAF as ‘Ammunition.’
The STTT culminated in a 3-day FTX which confirmed the GAF’s under- standing of the taught material and was held as a complete success by the GAF HQ. The whole team was overwhelmed with the level of enthusiasm they received throughout the month but were blown away by the appreciation demonstrated in the closing ceremony, which was attended by British High Commissioner, David Belgrove, and CDS GAF, Maj Gen Yankuba Drammeh. Having the oppor- tunity to work with partner nations in a defence engagement role was an incred- ible and humbling opportunity and one which the team will not readily forget.
ACW
The Combined QDG and GAF training team
QDG’s footballers can lose anywhere in the world
‘My neck is not that long!’
Game recognises game
The whole team was overwhelmed with the level of enthusiasm they received throughout the month
Peeping corners