Page 48 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

46 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
Command Troop has seen another shift in personnel since the last Chapka was published. The Regimental Signals Of- ficer (RSO), Regimental Signals Warrant Officer (RSWO) and Bowman Systems Manager (BSM) have all changed over in the past year. Captain Parker has deployed on tour to Africa and has been replaced by the ‘dashing’ Captain David Clarkson; War- rant Officer Class II Turrill has moved down to Bovington on promotion to Warrant Officer Class I and has been replaced by everyone’s favourite Geordie: Warrant Officer Class II Browne (Bear). Sergeant Major Baldwin has joined Warrant Officer Class I Turrill in Bovington and has promoted on posting to Warrant Officer Class II. Sergeant Hill has stepped into the breach as BSM from the G6 (Signals) Sergeant position, which has now been filled by Sergeant Miles.
By the time of publication, we will have also said goodbye to some major characters from Command Troop. They have either decided that their time in the Army has come to an end or have moved elsewhere within the Regiment. We will miss Corporals Quayle, Burnett and Lance Corporal Cross; all those who have moved to Sabre Squadrons will benefit from time in Command Troop and add value to their new squadrons.
2018 has seen very little of the usual thrashing for Command Troop; there was a little of deployment to Exercise SPECULAR in January, but after that all hands turned to Operation TOSCA 28 and C Squadron’s deployment to British Army Training Unit Suffiedld (BATUS). Command Troop split itself up to give the
Regiment manpower where it was needed most. We had a large portion of the Troop deployed on Operation TOSCA in the Tac- tical Operations Cell (TOC) as operators and watchkeepers. We sent a crack squad to BATUS with C Squadron to help with their G6 needs. Finally, we provided a number of individuals to sup- port the Rear Operations Group (ROG) in Catterick, the hardest of the jobs over the Operation TOSCA 28 deployment window.
On return in September, the troop came together for the first time in over six months and started the long process of relearn- ing how we deliver a Battlegroup Headquarters. After some lessons in camp the troop deployed to Ripon on land rovers to practice it in the field under the watchful eye of Sergeant ‘Bob- by’ Charlton and Warrant Officer Class II ‘Bear’ Browne. We are now set, poised, eagerly awaiting our deployment in early 2019 on Exercise SPECULAR 19. The first opportunity for the new team to have a full run out on Salisbury Plain with a new Head- quarters Staff.
2019 has a number of high profile exercises in the United King- dom and overseas that Command Troop will be supporting. We should see members of the troop deploying across the globe, from Texas to Finland (and potentially other locations too).
The troop is ready for the challenges ahead and is looking for- ward to a challenging and rewarding 12 months ahead. DoG.
JRGP/DJC
Command Troop
The Royal Lancers LAD enjoying the views on Ex SUPREME GLACIER 18