Page 29 - QDG Vol. 9 No. 2 CREST

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
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Laserquest for big kids Surprisingly relevant training
A walkover in the ‘best flag competition’ final
Better than airsoft
making, planned and delivered by Capt Tim Dalton. The Sqn deployed on the training area with Polish artillery, Croatian rockets, mortars, US infantry, Polish aviation, Polish fast air (though this was cancelled last minute) and Romanian air defence all working together and in support of the British Sqn. This was an opportunity driven by the Troop to test the battlegroup’s integration, commu- nications and capability to execute multiple strikes together. Exciting mounted ranges were followed by a dismounted raid and reaction to enemy armour advance (cue use of NLAW). We were lucky to have the full support of the US CO from 2-2 CR War Eagles, Lt Col Jason Adler, an Anglophile who had only been in theatre a month but proved to be a great champion of the exercise and Cassino Troop in general. We were rightly proud of our efforts in driving this activity which saw the best of the multinational community - both battlegroup and host nation.
With the tour ending imminently handover takeover was at the front of our minds ensuring we set the follow
on Company from 2 Royal Anglian up for success. No handover takeover is perfect but the team put in exceptional effort and this was evident with an appre- ciative incoming team.
With COVID-19 headlining both in Poland and UK there had not been a chance to get the soldiers away outside camp to relax. After significant work by the OC
and 2IC Capt Rob Joles RY, the Sqn, with the blessing
of the US CO, got its personnel away in a synchro- nised fashion to Krakow and Szczyrk, a Ski resort which I still cannot pronounce. It may
only have been four days but was appreci- ated by all
in lieu of all the activity experienced on previous tours and those since.
Unlike tours with a regular Sqn where you get to reconvene once back in the UK, it was the end of the story for Cassino Troop once back in the UK on 17 April. The Sqn dispersed, some of us back to QDG and the Reserves back to their civilian jobs after some well-
earned leave. Op CABRIT 8 was a successful tour despite the challenges presented on both the deployed and home front. With many new friend- ships made both personal and professional, it is incum- bent on all of us to continue to work to make sure we are as integrated as possible as we look to the future. We are, as the NATO phrase aptly puts it, ‘Stronger
Together’.
BM