Page 5 - 1RHA 2022

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Commanding Officer’s Foreword Lieutenant Colonel R I Taylor RHA
As we emerged from the shadow of COVID-19, we have been oper- ating with increased intensity to meet elevated demands in the volume and tempo of our exercises, activities, and commitments. 1st Regiment has succeeded in maintaining readiness as part of the Vanguard Armoured Infantry Brigade, set against the strategic back- drop of state-on-state conflict in eastern Europe. Moreover, we have been part of
the most significant transition to modernise the British Army in a generation, and as of 1 July 2022, are now under command of the 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team, provid- ing Fires in support of 20th Armoured Brigade Combat Team (20 ABCT).
The Regiment started the year with an enthralling Leadership Week focussed on developing the synergies between leadership and followership – attributes that have been reinforced through our 180-Degree reporting trial and mentoring scheme. B Battery was then launched onto Combat Ready Training with 1 Mercian Battlegroup, whilst the wider Regiment supported the Joint Ser- vices Job Evaluation Team’s work to secure appropriate pay for our Strike soldiers, supported Royal School of Artillery live firing, and led a 1st Artillery Brigade Urban Fires Study Day.
The Regiment has played its part in the United Kingdom’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with two deploy- ments enhancing NATO’s deterrence. In May we deployed to Estonia with Headquarters 20 ABCT on Ex HEDGEHOG to train alongside NATO allies, and then in July elements of the Regiment deployed on Ex DYNAMIC FRONT to Germany to exercise under command of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in a multinational Fires Brigade. However, most notably, 1 RHA was also deployed overseas to refurbish artillery weapon systems to increase Ukraine’s ability to fight Russia. Working with Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and industry partners, the team demonstrated the utmost professionalism, technical competence, and energy, whilst under Ministerial pressure to deliver against an accelerat- ing timeline, achieving the endstate ahead of schedule. 1st Regi- ment will exploit its focus on eastern Europe towards the end of 2022 when E Battery commences Mission Ready Training in preparation for the first of four rotations (one for each Battery) on Op CABRIT in Estonia. This operational cycle presents the oppor- tunity to welcome L (Nery) Battery RHA back into the Regiment in July 2023; L Battery will deploy with the Royal Dragoon Guards on Op CABRIT in September 2024.
1st Regiment has remained integral to security within the United Kingdom; in August the Regiment assumed responsibility for the United Kingdom Standby Battalion (UKSB). We held this commit- ment when we, along with the world, received the profoundly sad news that Her Majesty The Queen, our Captain General, passed
away peacefully in Balmoral. The training our men and women had conducted with armed Police resulted in 1 RHA being held in reserve as the military delivered an historic and fitting final fare- well to Her Majesty. Nevertheless, we deployed a chef and driv- ers to support Op BRIDGE; a very small yet proud contribution to the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
We have a compelling programme to look forward to in late 2022. The Regiment will conduct its first regimental live firing exercise for two years in October, concurrent to teams deploying to Ger- many and the United States on Ex CERBERUS and Project CON- VERGENCE respectively. The Chestnut Troop will lead a com- posite team drawn from 3 RHA, 5 RA, 7 Para RHA and 104 RA, to Japan on Ex VIGILANT ISLES in November. This dismounted Tac Group exercise with the Japanese 1st Airborne Brigade is shaping up to be a hugely challenging and rewarding activity, which will conclude with a visit from Commander Field Army at the closing ceremony.
Extramurally, as you will see in the Journal, we have seized oppor- tunities to enhance the lived experience for our team. It is with immense pride that amongst our number we count Bdr Dainton, the first female British Army serviceperson to play rugby for the Barbarians, whilst also playing for Wales and Harlequins. Capt Marcus Webb is the top Team GB biathlete, and WO2 Webber and Gnr Rutter represent England in Tug-of-War; a sport in which 1 RHA was placed third at the Royal Highland Games in Braemar. The 1 RHA Female Boxing Team won the RA Championships, Capt Gregory was crowned the Army Veteran Alpine Downhill Skiing Champion, Capt Pete Evans won the Army Kite Surfing Championships, LBdr Finau plays netball for the Army, and Gnr Brooks was part of the Army Offshore Racing Team which was victorious as the first fully crewed yacht to complete the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Round Britain and Ireland Race. Further- more, with participation in the Commando Speed March, the Three Peaks Challenge, the Cambrian Patrol, the Paras 10, and an adventure training expedition to Bavaria, the Regiment has fully invested in a life less ordinary.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognise that after five years as Honorary Colonel, and a long period of service to 1st Regiment, Major General Neil Marshall OBE will handover to Major General Jez Bennett after Remembrance Weekend in November. On behalf of the serving Regiment, and indeed the wider regimental family, I would like to thank General Neil for his hugely positive and influential contribution to our Regiment; we send General Neil and Trudi our best wishes for the future. We also warmly welcome General Jez as our new Honorary Colonel and we look forward to commencing the next exciting period in the Regiment’s history together.
Finally, whilst training for the 2026 Winter Olympics, our gratitude must go to the Journal’s editor for capturing this chapter in our Regiment’s history – thank you Capt Marcus Webb RHA.
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