Page 89 - QDG 2023

BFSAI
I write from the rolling bridge of HMS Forth, returning from a patrol of South Georgia. I recall that while serving with the Regiment at Swanton Morley in 2016 there was a fleeting opportunity to send a QDG squadron south as the Falkland Islands Roulemont ‘company.’ Unfor- tunately, it didn’t work out and none of us had a chance to experience the unique South Atlantic environment. 5 years on when the chance to deploy as Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands arose, I seized it. Commanding a joint force charged to deter threats to British sovereignty of 780 or so South Atlantic islands including the Falklands, South Georgia, and Ascension, is proving to be the highlight of my career to date.
In the Falklands, memories of the 1982 conflict are never far from the surface. My tour began with a ceremony to mark the 41st Anniversary of Landing Day at San Carlos Water and although decades have elapsed since the conflict, threats to sovereignty are increasing.
While physically a long way from current hot-spots in the Ukraine and the Red Sea, BFSAI is no stranger to ‘great- power competition’ and the strategic
significance is set to rise.
Perhaps surprisingly, the situation has
changed more in the past 2 years than in the past 20. Previously, a degree of normalisation was achieved
with a previous Argentine administration, but this
Milei (famed for wielding a chainsaw at rallies and professing to be a tantric-sex teacher) might yet resort to the ‘Las Malvinas’ option.
Meanwhile in the Falk- lands we operate Typhoon fighters, various helicopters and multi-engine aircraft, a battery of Sky-Sabre air defence missiles, a warship, a land force, various radar installations, and other capabilities. The support and logistics required to keep this all operational is signif- icant and made all the more challenging by the 8,000- mile range and austere environment. I have spent much of my time driving initiatives to increase resil-
ience, readiness, and generally trying to improve the lived experience of our team. There has been time for some fun too. The sea-trout fishing is exceptional, the wildlife and scenery transfixing – espe- cially in South Georgia.
DD
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
87
ended when a hard-pressed
president in Buenos Aires
resorted to the age-old tactic
of distracting the population
with the nationalist cry of
‘Las Malvinas son Argen-
tinas.’ The Argentines devote
an entire department of state
to this cause and have made
significant gains in the diplo-
matic area while pursuing
a rearmament programme
with Chinese and other
partners. The fighter and
submarine options they are exploring would certainly change the calculus for us. Recently, a newly installed radical right-wing government in Argentina has attempted drastic fiscal reforms, but its initiatives are being met with strikes and public unrest. While softer in his Falk- lands rhetoric to date, President Javier
The sea-trout fishing is exceptional, the wildlife and scenery transfixing
An Eagle amongst the Hawks
In Sept 2023, I was given the fantastic opportunity to join The King’s Royal Hussars as one of their Squadron Leaders. Having been living in Tidworth for the better part of 4 years this was an easy decision and one made quicker only by my wife. I took over D (XRH) Squadron consisting of their Command and Reconnaissance Troop
where on arrival, I was swiftly informed that I would be thrown into the deep end with Summer Ball prep being one of my first serials to assist with, which was a welcome introduction back into a Regimental lifestyle after the wilderness of ERE!
With a busy FOE
and an ever-changing
ORBAT, getting to know personalities and understanding the requirements of an Armoured Squadron was a steep learning curve. Amongst the day-to-day, we prepared Recce Troop to compete on CAMBRIAN PATROL whilst Command Troop were gainfully employed on the BGHQ CPXs ahead of CSTTX
and Ex COMBINED RESOLVE in the Spring/Summer of 2024. All before the Regiment were involved with Christmas build up, including Regi- mental Boxing Night and the standard Cavalry trappings of silly week and Officers to Seniors.
is also getting to enjoy two Officers’ Association dinners in the year, so I was fortunate enough to join the KRH in the Cavalry & Guards, even kindly given my own pair of “Cherry Picker” crimson trousers for the occasion!
It has been a privilege to be part of the KRH, albeit for a short period, they have been extraordinarily welcoming, and I want to thank them wholeheart- edly for their generous hospitality and providing me with a hugely enjoyable year.
It has been a privilege to be part of the KRH, albeit for a short period
GESJ
The KRH Officers’ Mess have been delightfully busy, a fantastic trip on HIGHLAND HAWK to the Cairngorms maintaining the hind and pheasant numbers for a week was all important Officer Development. A series of Flashman Lectures in the Mess involved inviting notable personages to talk and dine with the Officers, a standout event being Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker of the House of Commons), who gave us a frank and fascinatingly insightful account of Parliament and his political career. In return, he kindly invited the Officers for a tour of Parliament and to sit in Speaker’s Gallery for Prime Minister’s Questions - a memorable experience! The bonus of joining another Mess
All the slippers