Page 32 - 1RHA 2021

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Quartermaster Technical Department Sgt Moore
Another busy year for the Quartermaster Technical depart- ment which has seen us drafted into a plethora of real- life support tasks, exercises and day to day running of the Regimental accounts.
November brought the preparation for Exercise CYPHER DAG- GER 20. This is always a big task for the department in the sense of preparing and loading vehicles and ordering ammunition whilst continuing to work on the technical accounts. As the sen- ior cohort were put through their paces on a leadership study, the Junior NCOs deployed onto the exercise, assuming command appointment roles and preparing the area for the exercise. Bdr Harris took a leading position and taught the junior cohort some basic low-level skills. It has been many years since the Regiment has deployed a fully functional Ammunition Control Point. As a department we ensured the Gun Batteries were fully stocked with ammunition and they managed to fire more than 1460 High Explosive projectiles. The exercise was a success and we were, indeed, pleased with the results and the fact we packed all the heaters due to the freezing weather conditions..
In January 2021 members of the department were tasked as part of the orbat which assisted the testing of schools for COVID-19, this saw the earlier than planned return from leave of the QM (T), RQ (T) and RFM who were part of the pre-deployment sup- port team whose role was to ensure the deploying troops were fully equipped and C19 tested prior to deploying on task. As is always the case the entire team have stepped up in some form or another to support our Regiment during the lockdown period and the return to work process. Demonstrating true professionalism, the department was fully functioning throughout all lockdowns, ensuring all the regimental accounts and supplies were delivered uninterrupted.
The department deployed in June onto Exercise CYPHER SHARPEN in preparation for the Brigade Exercise ARIES STORM 21 in September. This was a fantastic opportunity to get ourselves refreshed with our jobs out in the field, we made the most of this rare opportunity with a variety of lessons and TEWTS. WO2
(RQMS) Faulkner delivered an insightful lesson into reconnais- sance and establishing an Ammunition Control (ACP), we went through in slow time, walk through talk through so everyone understood their role, this built up into a full reconnaissance and establishment of an ACP. This was followed by some BCS deliv- ered by our JNCOs and a 20km cross country driving exercise, testing our convoy driving and navigation skills. We now feel in a much better position and raring to go for Exercise ARIES STORM.
It was a bright Friday morning in September when we deployed onto Exercise ARIES STORM on Salisbury Plain, to begin the bri- gade exercise, where we would be truly tested in our role as log- isticians. We headed out in convoy and formed up in a Brigade Leaguer area where we shook out and established ourselves for 5 days of non-tactical deployment. During this period, we com- pleted TEWTS, BCS, safety briefs, road to war brief and issued our TES kit, with the use of TES the directing staff would be able to track our every movement throughout the exercise enabling them to give us constructive criticism in order for us to improve. We felt as ready as we could be to begin the Exercise, deploying from the Brigade Leaguer to establish the 1 RHA ACP.
It’s not all work work work, the department along with Quar- termaster Mains had a well-deserved day out to Hampshire Golf Club to play footgolf, where we were blessed with glorious weather. For many of us it was our first time ever playing football on a golf course! Fun was had by all and great opportunity to relax and bond as Quartermaster departments. The day would not be complete without a well-deserved meal and drink or two at The Queen’s Head in Ludgershall.
Our two technical Gunners, Tung and Kasowaqa have both suc- cessfully gained their C license, enabling them to drive the HGV equipment associated with their role, a great achievement for having been in the Army less than 18 months. They are now ready to get out driving on the area and develop their skills.
Bdr Harris has had an unbelievably busy year, where he undertook his dangerous goods con-
30
A typical start to the morning of the A1 Echelon