Page 71 - QDG 2023

Despite the Polish winter’s best efforts to confine the squadron indoors, locked into routine of vitamin D consumption and discovering the many forms that pork can be served by the Polish chefs, we did manage to send a small group from the squadron on an exciting four-day riding course. LCpl’s Firth and Williams enjoyed becoming at one with their Polish steeds, whilst Tpr Lloyd maintained a beaming smile learning the art of becoming a fully-fledged horseman.
All in all, A Squadron has made the absolute most of its time on Op CABRIT, whilst maintaining that all important deterrent on the eastern flank of NATO’s boundary. All members of the squadron should be proud of their contribution.
GJMW
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards 69
Ex DIAMONDBACK
Much to MT’s delight, B Sqn deployed to the National Training Centre (NTC), Fort Irwin in the same mid-October week as A Sqn’s deployment to Poland. During a frustrating first week waiting for our counterparts (4/10 Cav) to de-derail some trains, B Sqn (plus Atts and Detts) AKA TF MUSTANG spent time acclimatising to the Mojave Desert, conducting low level dismounted skills, vehicle manoeuvre and learning more about NTC.
NTC is the proving ground for US war fighting Brigades. Eight times the size of Salisbury Plain this vast playground for armour is an expanse of wadi systems, desert plains and mountains. Blackhorse, the permanent and professional OPFOR, see multiple rotations a year. The two combined promised to provide the testing and realistic training environment one hopes for, a perfect environment to validate B Sqn for Op CABRIT 15. Unlike QDG’s previous rotations on Ex DIAMONDBACK, this time we were to use HMMWV (Humvees), not Jackal. Shorter, wider and with a lower centre of mass the Humvees were well suited to the wadi systems and whilst theadditionofaroofwouldbegreatly appreciated on Salisbury Plain, those without air conditioning pined for some open architecture, not least to increase situational awareness.
Whilst we waited for the US Abrams and Bradleys to roll off the tank park and into the staging area, B Sqn tested the “new” wagons (and the American recovery process) with (actually) new communications equipment, which doubled up as Lt Clark’s interview for future RSO. In true Light Cav spirit, both the opportunities and limitations of our new equipment were realised
and adjusted. TF Mustang was ready to deploy.
With 1st Tp still conducting driver training on the wrong side of Mt Tierfort (the dominating feature on the exercise) the rest of the Sqn was chosen as the vanguard for 4/10 Cav’s entrance into the Valley of Death. A textbook yet uneventful clear was conducted by 2nd Tp, with overwatch and anti-tank provided by 3rd and 4th respectively.
The success of this first action set the standard for the remainder of the exercise. As Troops fought for the best OP locations and punchiest fire missions, it was 4th (Support) Troop who often found themselves “first and foremost” in the battlespace... and at Role 2 facilities. Valiant dismounted actions were fought by 1st (in 4 Romeo) and2nd(TheBattleofOPRidge).3rd Tp took the “firefight in your underwear turned defence engagement” award, and SHQ for the most helicopter kills. Lt Clark should consider transferring to become an FST after his fire mission onto an enemy gun line was cancelled, deemed too successful by the DS.
TF MUSTANG displayed an ability to adopt new tactics and SOPs to work with constantly changing circumstances and new equipment. Interoperability with our American counterparts, as always, could be optimised. But to go to NTC, and successfully use their vehicles, communications whilst working to an American battlegroup is an attestation to the nature of the reconnaissance soldier. A testament to all Dragoons, at all levels. And most importantly of all, it was only 2hr45min drive to Las Vegas..
HMM
Right, let’s try not to die this time