Page 28 - QDG 2023

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1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
HQ Squadron
It is often said (by those in G4) that behind every great leader there is an even greater logistician. For the QDG, behind every great Sabre Squadron action in the last year has been quiet, diligent support from Headquarters Squadron. Whether it is the LAD’s mechanics, the RLC’s chefs, Command Troop’s signals or RHQ’s Good Ideas© HQ Sqn has been there to enable and support deployments around the world.
HQ Sqn during 2023 was a year of two very distinct halves. Firstly, from Jan to May HQ was split, both in terms of geog- raphy and focus. HQ Sqn Ldr, Maj Rob Mansel, QM, A/Maj Matt Hansen, MTO, Capt Ross Hopkins and a large element of the Sqn deployed to the US along with C Sqn and other elements
across the Field Army to form the Divisional Support Unit for Ex WARFIGHTER 23.4. This left the remainder of the Squadron under the direction of the SSM, Mr Mike Beal and Captains Trev Homer and Dale Thomas to manage a ROG and the normal drum beat of wider support to the Regiment.
Secondly, from Aug to Dec
the Sqn was focused on the preparations for and execu-
tion of Pre-Deployment Training and support to the deployment to Poland and Op CABRIT. The dividing point between the year was also marked by the change of Command of HQ Sqn, which, saw Major Rob Mansel hand over command to Major Steve Thomas in August. Major Mansel moves on to the Armoured Trials
and Development Unit in Bovington and the Squadron thank him for his time as Squadron Leader and wish him all the best in his new appointment.
deploy to the US in three different loca- tions as part of a US Corps level event. The Divisional Support Unit, some 200 troops consisting of elements of HQ Squadron, C Squadron and augmen- tees form across the Field Army, under the command of HQ Squadron Leader, would provide the support for the Division.
During the month of February, the ROG swung into action ensuring the normal support to running of life in Robertson Barracks continued without hitch. This included support to B Sqn’s STTT deployment to Kuwait, routine external inspections, and guard force. Additionally, a large element of HQ Sqn, including RHQ and Command Troop, deployed on Ex UNIFIED RESOLVE 23 in Ontario Canada.
During March the HQ element deployed in the US had been busy setting up the three locations in prepa- ration to receive the exercising troops, which included RHQ QDG. The prepara- tions had all gone extremely well and the troops had had a good balance of down time to experience Texan hospitality, a great AT package and travel around the state. However, at the eleventh
hour they would be hit by one of three tornados that would plague the Ex. Although the accommodation was destroyed, some quick
HQ Sqn during 2023 was a year of two very distinct halves
In January the preparation for Ex WARFIGHTER had been completed, which included the packing of over 30 ISO shipping containers filled with stores for the exercise that had been collected from all over the Army. HQ elements had been deployed in Germany, across the UK and in the US, collecting stores, conducting recces, and attending planning meetings. The vehicles and ISO containers were trans- ported from Robertson Barracks to Marchwood Military Port to set sail for a port in southern Texas and onward rail journey to Fort Cavasos (formerly known as Fort Hood). Elements of HQ workforce also deployed in January to set up the Divisional Support Unit for the exercise. The deployment would see 1400 UK personnel from 3rd(UK) Division
The ferris wheel will fall when hit
The CO congratulates Mr Ruddy on his promotion to RSM.