Page 19 - QDG Vol. 9 No. 2 CREST

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
17
Where’s Wally?
was a moment during the planning for mounted ranges where the Squadron complete would have to drive the 800-mile round trip to Lulworth from Norfolk in the Jackals and Coyotes. In the midst of an English winter this would have been almost unworkable for the drivers and commanders, who would have almost certainly suffered from cold injuries. Thankfully the decision makers realised that whilst this ‘long range’ patrol might have benefits, it was not worth subjecting almost 100 soldiers to hypothermia – again. The range package in Lulworth went from an individual Platform Weapon Operator Course, to the individual assessments, before progressing onto crew, troop and squadron level shoots. After a chilly but successful week, the Squadron had achieved the start state for mounted live fire tactical training. It was at this moment that Major Bryn Williams mentioned that the next time the Squadron fired live ammunition would be in the face of the enemy; it wouldn’t be for another eight months before this was realised in reality.
As the Squadron charged towards Easter leave, we had a number of other key courses including the Human
it was
not worth subjecting almost 100 soldiers to hypothermia – again
Security course and one
focussed on Human Terrain Reconnaissance. The key
course for this period was
the Intermediate Search
Course. Nine members of
the Squadron conducted
this three-week course enabling them to search areas of interest and exploit Impro-
vised Explosive Devices, unexploded ordnance, weapons and other valuable intelligence such as mobile phones or documentation. The course delivered by the Search Team Specialists of
the Royal Engineers, involves a varied programme, beginning with theoretical
Bisci Bisci!!!