Page 36 - KRH Year of 2021 CREST

34 The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars
At the end of every ranibow there is gold
deployed throughout. The movements plan consisted of a excel spreadsheet with an astronomical number of tabs covering heavy and light armoured vehicle lifts, wheeled convoy moves, coach plans, white fleet sustainment plans, route cards and fuel. There were many constraints placed on us not only with lift and coaches, but 4 weeks of the exercise would see no additional support from outside of the battlegroup. All battle group move- ments also had a 4-day window to be achieved. This is where the depth of knowledge within the department came into its own; with the MTWO heading up a movements cell whilst the MTO and MT SNCO deployed we were able to keep track on move- ments between Tidworth and CMR then back to SPTA. Tprs and JNCOs required to step up to take on additional responsibilities; not only within the department but whilst deployed. It was truly humbling to command such a great team. The complexities of what was being asked were immense, which gave way to oppor- tunities to engage with elements of the Field Army and civilian sector a MT would not have opportunity to normally engage with. All in all, the team faultlessly pulled this complex plan off, a great credit to them and their commitment to facilitate the Regiments output.
Whilst deployed in CMR and SPTA an opportunity to increase the comfort within the A1 through self-purchased tents was grasped by many; hence commences the battle of the tents. Many fancied that the Recce Troop legend Sgt Spencer would be victorious with his carefully selected tent from Amazon. After reading countless reviews and concluding this £20 tent was the weapon of choice for the wet, cold and windy Purbeck weather fronts. He proudly
DP on Ex IRON STORM near Imber village on SPTA
pitched his one-man luxury accommodation in full view bravely placing his Rab sleeping bag inside with no additional protection from the rain. Another firm favourite: a slightly more expensive option at £35 with a trendy single pole design, could the MTO possibly draw on his 24 years’ experience and select the best tent? LCpl Tolfrey also joined in with the Night Cat the largest tent of them all, with plenty of head room yet only single skin. Finally, HQ SQMS SSgt Marshall with his seasoned Carp fishing tent; the most expensive tried and tested. So to the winner... Tpr Asquith with his mark one poncho and poles! Day one Sgt Spencer was seen drying his sleeping bag on the Land Rover after getting soaked through like a week one recruit he then quickly upgraded his tent to a more expensive option. The MTO and LCpl Tolfrey felt like they were in celebrity get me out of here with an evasion of insects infiltrating the tents due to failed zips and poor insect net designs. It is rumoured that SSgt Marshall is still chasing his Carp tent around Purbeck as he has not been in work since!
A great year for MT and the A1; we now bid farewell to Sgt Spencer who will be replaced by Sgt Judge. We also see a restructure of the entire department which sees some absolute MT legends moving on to pastures new. This includes LCpl Reid to Recce Tp and LCpl Tolfrey to Comd Tp. It is also great to see some moving on with promotion; Cpl Wakefield to A Sqn and LCpl Lovegrove to C Sqn. We also wish the best of luck to Tpr Ahearne who is soon to be leaving the military to embark on new adventures. A great team player who will be missed. 2022 will see a new team facing new challenges with exercises and deployments across Europe.
Replen set during Ex CRIMSON THUNDER on SPTA