Page 30 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

28 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Light Aid Detachment
2024 was an exceptionally ■■■ and
rewarding year for the 1st The Queen’s
Dragoon Guards Light Aid Detachment.
From operational support to sporting
triumphs and technical achievements,
we tackled every challenge with determi-
nation and pride.
We started the year at full throttle,
preparing the Heavy Mobility Tactical
Vehicle fleet for deployment to California
under Staff Sergeant Tatham’s leader-
ship. By May and June, the vehicles were
mission-ready, braving the harsh desert
terrain. The fleet’s recovery in September
was a team effort, with the LAD and 6
REME working tirelessly to repair and
maintain our aging assets.
Simultaneously, Operation CABRIT
kept us on our toes, supporting rotating
deployments to Poland. A Squadron’s
ice-hardy fleet returned in April, paving
the way for a much warmer tour for B
Squadron. By October, C Squadron was
ready to take over, with more adventures
to come in 2025.
In July, we began six months on Oper-
ation INTERFLEX, supporting Ukrainian
trainees in their fight for freedom.
Sergeant Jones and the Headquarters
Squadron Fitter Section focused on
ARM-9F rifle repairs, while our Vehicle
Mechanics kept the support vehicles
operational—critical work that made
every effort worthwhile.
October brought a special task, with
Staff Sergeant Wright respraying and
preparing two nine-seater minibuses
for Ukraine, marking our second year of
delivering vital vehicles to our Ukrainian
counterparts.
Judo Championships, while Craftsman
Brookes represented us at the Interser-
vice and Welsh boxing championships.
Not to be outdone, Staff Sergeant
Aldridge led the Recovery Department
to the REME skiing championships,
leaving their mark at Exercise SUPREME
GLACIER.
The year ended on a high note with
a flawless Technical Evaluation in
December, earning high praise from the
Brigade Equipment Support team. It was
a fitting conclusion to a year where we
proved, once again, the strength, skill,
and spirit of the LAD.
It wasn’t all work, though. Lance
NT
Corporal Smith shone at the Interservice
Ah, there’s my pen!
Get us to Calais; we’ll get to Bangkok