Page 37 - QDG 2023

Catering Department
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
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This year, 3rd (UK) Division tasked 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG) to provide the real-life support for the Exercise Warfighter in Texas, USA. The QDG Catering department was respon- sible for providing catering facilities for all personnel from 3rd (UK) Division involved in the exercise. This involved coordinating the operations field cooking system (OFCS) and deploying chefs from 3 Div.
A total of 22 complete sets of opera- tional feeding catering systems were successfully transported to Texas. Addi- tionally, we managed to gather 49 chefs from across the brigade. The chefs were divided into three locations within Texas: the Motor Pool and Boaz feeding 500 individuals each, and Elijah feeding 300 service personnel. This exercise was a remarkable achievement, thanks to the highly skilled chefs across the unit who supported it. In total, 12 coins were awarded to the chefs from various members from the Chain of Command.
Despite the challenges faced, the exercise provided a valuable opportu- nity for chefs to interact with their peers from various units. Knowledge sharing between the chefs and their juniors was encouraged, allowing for a rich learning experience. The exercise lasted almost three months, requiring the team to work 12-hour shifts every day. In addition to their kitchen duties, the chefs also had the chance to participate in adven- turous training and explore the local area, enhancing their cultural understanding of the USA.
The chefs have proven that they are a valuable asset for the Army with their responsibilities also extending to providing support to contractors and
fulfilling all commitments within the units. It was fortunate to have the oppor- tunity to send chefs to various exercises and tours, such as Cpl Akerman’s deploy- ment to Germany for 4 weeks to support the Sandhurst cadre course. Pte Cooper has been deployed to Op CABRIT 13 for 6 months and is due to return on in
BOAZ Field Kitchen Blown away by Tornado.
March 2024. LCpl Tice was deployed to Ex SCORPION CYCLONE, where he was awarded a Commanding Officer’s Coin from 6 REME Battalion. He spent four weeks on the exercise, greatly enhancing his experience and skills.
TR
“No more pan bashing from tommorrow”
EX WARFIGHTER Catering troops