Page 63 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards Op CABRIT (Poland) 16
After a successful showing on Ex
DIAMONDBACK, C Sqn enjoyed some
time with loved ones before deploying to
Poland on CABRIT 16. The Sqn had the
regiments third turn of the handle on this
tour and took over from B Sqn under the
US battle group. Despite the fair weather
in mid October the Sqn knew that winter
was coming and they needed to train
and prepare accordingly.
In less than two weeks of being in
theatre the squadron was set to strategi-
cally project up to Adazi, Latvia. The tight
turnaround meant all had to work hard to
get the fleet good to go and we all had
our bets on how many breakdowns we’d
experience. No one bet on zero, which is
what we would have had if Sgt Hutchings
had remembered that his Coyote needed
diesel to move, instead he broke down
200m from the destination. Nevertheless,
the Sqn all made it and had a couple of
days to reset to go up against the multi
National brigade as enemy. The Cana-
dians and Danish who made the majority
of the brigade were shocked that a rela-
tively small outfit could paralyse them
quite as much as we did. They were
even more shocked when 4th Tp, led
by Lt Mower, conducted a hasty raid on
the brigade CP which left the COS very
upset.
In a lull, the Sqn welcomed a visit
from HM Ambassador to Latvia, Comd
CABRIT, the CO and RSM.
Back in camp, a small group of the
squadron joined the Americans in
C Sqn driving again
earning their spurs. Spurs ride consisted
of a 36 km endurance March with
command tasks.
Soon after returning from Latvia, C Sqn
left their vehicles in camp to deploy on
their Cold Weather Operators Course.
The highlight of which saw everyone’s kit
stripped for the survival phase. Groups
built survival shelters, build fires and
despatch and butcher chickens to make
a cold night a bit more bearable.
On Christmas Day C Sqn troops awoke
to Christmas parcels that were gratefully
received by all. Thank you to all that
organised sending them out.
After the excitement of opening their
gifts they moved to the football pitch.
Beginning with some carols, the Officers
Ex RESOLUTE WARRIOR
61
& Seniors played against the Junior
Soldiers. A closely fought, end to end
match finished with the Juniors on top
winning 9-7.
After some well deceived R&R C Sqn
is now shaping up to go one step further
than Latvia. In the depths of winter we
will drive up to Estonia, via Lithuania and
Latvia, to train with the RDG Battle Group
on Ex WINTER CAMP. This will certainly
test who paid attention on Cold Weather
Operators Course.
The Squadron will continue to train
closely with the Polish Territorial Defence
Force, plans to conduct a PNCO cadre
and further exercises and ranges before
they finish the tour.
HS