Page 36 - QDG Vol. 9 No. 2 CREST

34 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
SPS Detachment
The SPS Detachment have been put through their paces this year. We have been part of every exercise and deploy- ment, providing continued support to the Regiment. We are always busy providing a service to the Regiment and there are no days off!
A SQN
To begin the year, A Sqn MPA Cpl Bakhem and Pte Clough went to Cyprus for Ex GAO EAGLE. They conducted various ranges and section attacks throughout the month-long exercise. They both showcased their skills in the field alongside doing their MPA admin work. This shows the flexibility and adapt- ability that our job requires us to have.
After coming back from Cyprus, the MPAs had a few weeks in Robertson Barracks before heading off to Ex RATTLESNAKE.
B SQN
Cpl Hodgson was on Op CABRIT before the year started. Over the duration of the 7-month deployment, COVID caused considerable constraints and there were limited opportunities for extra-curricular activities. Cpl Hodgson however, still managed to conduct the Cold Weather Operators’ Course, which consisted of survival techniques over 3 days including making shelters, cooking chicken and fish, then finishing with a refreshing lake submersion.
C SQN
LCpl Robyn Purvis deployed on Op NEWCOMBE 2 with her Sqn. She deployed as a gunner and had to do all the courses prior to deploying. She has achieved this through her hard work and willingness to deploy outside of her job
role. It takes some courage to go out of your comfort zone and she has done exactly that.
HQ
The main effort for the unit this year was deploying to OP NEWCOMBE 3 as it was QDG led. The preparations for this began in early June and became one of our main priorities. The first day of our
The SPS Det in Mali
5-week MRX showed us everyone that was deploying. The list of tasks that had to be completed for each individual to deploy was long and time-consuming. These tasks were a continual commit- ment throughout the exercise; however, this was nothing the team couldn’t handle. Having planned extensively, the team was well prepared for any fast balls. Always expect the unexpected!
Rigid SPS Dress Standards