Page 38 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

36 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
exercise with 1 Royal Danish Life Guards, the Danish contribu- tion to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Initial Follow-on Forces Group.
The trip out saw the Squadron developing ourselves as a team, both tactically and conceptually. The tactical activity culmi- nated in a fiercely fought Inter-Troop Competition won by the ultra-competitive Second Troop, led by Miss Colquhoun and Sergeant Aston. Junior leadership (and followership) as well as squadron branding and cohesion were all developed through numerous activities, a highlight of which was undoubtedly the regimental whisky tasting and hog roast. Once across the tun- nel, the focus switched to mounted manoeuvre, and what better way to get yourself match fit than a 1000km road move deep through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. While in Ger- many, we were able to connect with our roots, visiting Schloss Bredebeck and the deeply moving Bergen Belsen concentration camp. Once finally in Denmark, the field training exercise itself was another challenge. Corporals Christie, Wood and Aylett can all testify to the difficulty of the going, and how this is com-
pounded in the middle of a Forward Passage of Lines with a Company of Piranha armoured fighting vehicles. The Squadron unquestionably proved the tactical worth of recce, most notably during First Troop’s dismounted action onto the built-up area for the final mission, providing battle changing information, direct to the commander, to help inform his decision making. While the squadron dug deep and fought hard, the Officer Com- manding seemed to spend most his time on Defence Engage- ment duties including hosting a Russian inspection delegation, lunching with His Royal Highness Prince Joachim of Denmark and giving Commander Field Army tac-briefs. The final leg of the deployment involved three days and 2000km drive back to the United Kingdom. Once again, the squadron’s focus, deter- mination and professionalism was maintained to the finish, and we arrived back in Catterick just in time for Christmas week in- cluding the junior ranks’ lunch, “Officers vs Seniors” rugby and “Troopers vs Juniors” football.
2018 has not just been about collective success. Corporals Ken- net, Aylett, Bridge and Fissasegola have all successfully com- pleted the Armoured Cavalry Crew Commanders’ Course; Mr Free earned a top ten finish in the 250km Wadi Rhum Ultra Marathon, Sergeant Palmer completed P-company, Lance Cor- poral Hitchcock represented the Regiment and Royal Armoured Corps at the Army Alpine Ski Championships and Trooper Richards did the same as a Nordic skier.
It is a testimony to the spirt, ethos and nature of B Squadron that despite being split to the four winds for a large chunk of the year, we left Catterick for a well-deserved Christmas break as one: in deep.
JRH
The best bar in NATO
The real Officer Commanding, Squadron Sergeant Major with their owners
Trooper Allen – Take a knee