Page 26 - QDG Vol. 9 No. 2 CREST

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1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
HQ Squadron
Logistics is perhaps the most complex and interrelated capability provided by today’s Army. To those unfamiliar with its intellectual and technological breadth, depth, and complexity, it can be considered an assumed capability. Hence, on entering the QDG Quarter- master’s Department, you are greeted by the (tongue in cheek) sign that reads, “Do not criticise that which you do not understand!”. Indeed, as I compile my notes on this year’s instalment for HQ, the one thing I find hard to comprehend is the vast amount of planning, tasks and event support executed by our boys and girls in HQ, often concurrently, to ensure overall success for all that the Regiment does. In the words of Sun Tzu, “Every battle is won before it is fought and the line between disorder and order lies in logistics!”.
More often than not, Light Cavalry Regiments deploy their Squadrons on individual tasks throughout the year, and the ‘single’ Regimental deployment on either exercise or operations is a rarity. This ‘Modus Operandi’ requires a great deal of planning and flexibility from the enablers within HQ Sqn. January and February of 2021 are a good example of this theme, with HQ supporting A Sqn’s deployment to Cyprus on Ex Gao Eagle, whilst simultaneously enabling pre deployment training for C Sqn’s deploy- ment on Op NEWCOMBE 2 (in the form of Ex Barren Eagle), and having key elements of the Sqn, such as Capt Matt Hansen (MTO), deployed as the National Support Element (NSE) OC with B Sqn and The Royal Yeomanry on Op CABRIT 8 in Poland.
The ebb and flow of overseas deployments and recovery continued throughout the year, requiring some members of HQ Sqn, namely Capt Butch Davies (QM(T)) and SSgt Taylor (HQ SQMS) to spend much of their time with the RAF Movements Sqn, organising the
sending or receiving of freight, weapons, and vehicles, which I am sure they have earnt mention for in the RAF Brize Norton Annual Journal 2021.
The spinning plates theme continued unabated throughout March and April; however, the role of chief plate spinner was handed over in March with the arrival of Maj Rob Mansel (the new HQ Sqn Ldr). After a comprehensive HO/ TO with the outgoing Sqn Ldr, Maj Paul (Pecs) Jones (who, after a
brief period in 7th Bde HQ would be returning later in the year to deploy on Op NEWCOMBE 3 with QDG as the Battle Group Liaison Officer (BGLO)), the plate spinning continued in earnest. The Sqn thank Maj Jones for all his hard work and guidance as HQ Sqn Ldr and wish him every success in his new role and operational deployment.
the focus now had to switch to setting the conditions for the next six months. This would culminate with BGHQ and A Sqn deploying on the QDG-led Op NEWCOMBE 3 and the formation of the Rear Operations Group (ROG) back in Robertson Barracks, which would be much larger than a normal ROG, including C Sqn, B Sqn and 92 members of HQ Sqn.
Handover complete and
it was straight back to
business for HQ Sqn, firstly,
supporting A Sqn’s deploy-
ment to Louisiana (USA) for
Ex Rattlesnake. Secondly,
enabling elements of B Sqn’s
recovery from Op CABRIT in
Poland (whilst supporting
remaining elements of the
Sqn deployed to BATUK in
Finally, HQ was organising support to C Sqn who were embarking on the Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRX) for Op NEWCOMBE 2, all amid yet another COVID wave.
May and June of 2021 saw an addi- tional focus for the Sqn. Whilst two large tasks included the recovery of A Sqn from the US after a very successful exercise with the USMC and the deployment of C Sqn to Mali on Op NEWCOMBE 2,
the one thing I find hard to comprehend is the vast amount of planning, tasks and event support executed by our boys and girls in HQ
In order to achieve the desired end state of mission ready elements of the Sqn to deploy as well as a fully functioning ROG (all whilst planning and supporting much of our own training), the Sqn had to restructure and divide its efforts allowing for success in both camps (the requirement for the flex- ibility aforementioned). The requirement to train those people who would take up positions in the ROG started in earnest to ensure the mandated qualifica- tions were achieved at the same time as planning and executing comprehensive training for the deploying elements of BGHQ and A Sqn. The Training Wing, under the stewardship of WO2 Griffiths (Training Officer) and along with Capt Max Carter (Ops Officer) excelled in both managing courses as well as the planning and delivery of some excellent training. This training included Ex Eagle’s Fire (a comprehensive range package) and Ex Eagle’s Wheels, which under the instruction of Sgt Hazelwood (Training Wing SNCO) saw some of the most realistic and demanding driver training, which took place in both Bovington and Braunton Burrows, which boasts some
Kenya).
RCMO taking flak