Page 30 - KRH Year of 2021 CREST

28 The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars
Command Troop
Ex MUDDY HAWK
A start to the year which was overtaken by helping with the national COVID response quickly turned in to the run up to Ex IRON STORM. This started with the Command Troop getting shaken out with BCS in the form of Ex MUDDY HAWK; sets and reps on Salisbury Plain getting BGHQ established, comms working, and the basics right. Quickly everyone got back in the swing of things, and before we knew it everyone headed off to CMR to get their firing done ready for the start state of Ex IRON STORM.
The summer of fun
Once ranges were out the way, BGHQ ramped up a gear and Comd Tp were gainfully employed. In two months the troop deployed on 4 exercises, covering CATT, SPTA, and in camp. The hard work was to get everyone fully ready for Ex IRON STORM and to ensure that even the new members of the Troop were ready for the work they needed to do. It also saw the Troop teaching a new RSO (Capt HJ) how to actually use radios, and indeed the rest of BGHQ who at times acted as though they had never seen a COMBAT terminal before!
This started with two weeks in CATT, working through a whole host of comms issues, and the RSWO really earned his money. The remainder of the Troop were helping watchkeep, or prepar- ing for planning cycles.
After CATT and a week of rest, the Troop got ready for Ex CRIMSON THUNDER on SPTA. This was two exercises in one, and Comd Tp were luck enough to do both halves. The weeks involved covering almost all of the plain four times over, putting good milage on to the Bulldogs and Tanks. Despite the football results, and the rain, the Troop had an epic time making sure that the whole of the KRH BG could shake out.
Ex IRON STORM
The pinnacle of the year. Supposedly. Ex IRON STORM started with a week long deployment from Tidworth to Castlemartin in the pouring rain. Plans was established, Execute was ready, and throughout vehicles were worked on to ensure they stayed fit for SPTA.
Most of the Troop got out to CMR for at least some of the time, where the provision of RLS was the main focus. Ensuring the BG could safely talk to each other, while also providing a controlling function for the combined arms BG that was firing everything from 5.56 to HVM.
Once CMR was wrapped up, the move to SPTA began. This started with 6 days in a BG leaguer with over 250 vehicles. Plans were made for the 2,2 BG advance across the plain, and plenty of noodles were enjoyed while waiting in the sunshine for STARTEX. TES was fitted, last bits of maintenance was com- pleted, and crews readied.
An abrupt end to the exercise saw Comd Tp once again move to CATT to do battle with the communications systems in the building. Three days of setting up and testing saw comms prove almost impossible through the first week, but an adaptable and professional Command Troop was always ready for any changes. The two weeks flew by, as everyone was focussed on the light at the end of the tunnel that was Christmas.
Ex IRON STORM was the last exercise the current Troop will do together, as the Regimental REORBAT comes in after the new year and we get to welcome a new team to the fold to ensure the KRH BG continues to be the most lethal and efficient battlegroup in existence!