Page 54 - QDG 2023

52 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Op ATLANTIC WATERLOO
Almost six months into his time as ADC to Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands, Captain Al-Khamiri was summoned to see his boss. He was informed that both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force had hosted dinner nights for all those based in the Falklands, and now it was the British Army’s turn. Having spent his whole time there telling anyone who would listen that the QDG throw the best parties, the Commander felt nobody was better placed to organise it than the man himself - Captain Zaki Misan Ali Yusuf Hassan Al-Khamiri.
Thus, Op ATLANTIC WATERLOO was born. With no time to spare Captains Cooper, Wills, Fulloway, and Upward and Lieutenant Swailes departed Brize Norton in support of their brother officer, for no QDG officer should dine alone. Travelling under the guise of a Battle- field Study (there was an official admin instruction, it counts), the intrepid quintet flew into the Falkland Islands.
The following seven days were filled with activity after activity – a poignant visit to Goose Green and the British and
Argentine War Cemeteries, delivering briefs on the QDG and DRS, a guest appearance on BFBS, the (accidental) illegal boarding of HMS Medway, a tour of the Typhoons and the launch of the Met Office’s latest weather balloon. The Waterloo supper itself, described by some as the best party the Falklands has seen since the 14th June 1982, went off without a hitch. The QDG officers deliv- ered the tale of Waterloo with pride, passion and panache. Being younger than the NAAFI, the RAF were taken completely by surprise that we used to fight the French in battle! Swords were waved, drinks were toasted and spirits were raised. As the night came to a close in the very early hours of the following day, the QDG officers were able to rest easy knowing they had once again succeeded in preserving our reputation.
I leave you with words from the good book(ish), “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his leave for another man’s bluff.”
RWF
It was not the first, not the last time that someone told him the RAF weren’t even there
Fine specimens
The underwater knife fighting course finally bearing fruit
The Way of the Penguin
In the highest tradition
Up with the Partridge