Page 16 - 4RA Regimental Journal 2019-2020

Maj Denton RA A/Maj Booth RA
Capt Dietz-Collin RA Capt Shakespeare RA Capt Thomas RA WO2 Davies
WO2 Newcombe
Sgt Snape
Bdr Allen Bdr Burton Bdr Clougher Bdr Hillman Bdr Lomax Bdr Mockler LBdr Hudson LBdr Jones
LBdr Rhodes Gnr Harris
Gnr Jones
Gnr Lyons
Gnr Miller
Gnr Parkes
Gnr Richards Gnr Stephenson
In time, we will look back on the last twelve months as arguably the most diverse, in terms of range of outputs,
challenges and operational settings, that 129 (Dragon) Battery personnel have expe- rienced.
The period began with the return of Bat- tery personnel from Cyprus, on the con- clusion of the successful Op TOSCA Regimental deployment. What followed was a concerted drive to return the Bat- tery to its ‘warfighting’ role as a Light-Role Tactical Group Battery, which culminated in a creditable performance on Ex SUN- DERLAND DAGGER, the Regimental STA CTC3 exercise in Otterburn.
What was to follow, no one could have pre- dicted, with the outbreak of the national (and global) COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic was to dictate the shape and context of 129 Battery’s activity for the next few months. This chapter began with the rapid recovery of personnel from the Otterburn training area, and a hasty recon- figuring to a UK resilience focus.
View from 129 (Dragon) Bty OP on Ex SUNDERLAND DAGGER
Major Edward Denton RA
129 Battery was fortunate to be at the heart of the Regiment’s involvement in Operation RESCRIPT, the UK military contribution to the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, given that the Regiment was arguably at the ‘front-line’ of Defence’s effort, it meant that 129 Battery personnel were very quickly in the lime- light from both an individual and collective perspective. The Battery’s contribution included liaison and mentorship of NHS senior management in the planning and development of the Harrogate Nightingale hospital, providing inter-agency liaison at the regional one-star headquarters, and providing capacity to regional COVID-19 testing.
In addition to the Op RESCRIPT tasks, 129 Battery continued to provide capabil- ity to wider, ‘business as usual’ activities. These included the provision of special- ist augmentation to equipment trials and development, and to the Royal School of Artillery.
Furthermore, the last twelve months has seen a significant turnover of Battery personnel, especially within the Com-
129 (Dragon) Bty personnel in action on Ex SUNDERLAND DAGGER
mand Group. In April, A/Maj Adam Booth handed over Battery Command, while WO2 Davies replaced WO2 Newcombe as Battery Sergeant Major. Additionally, Sgt Snape established himself as the BC’s Ack, having moved across from 3/29 (Corunna) Battery.
The next year promises to be an equally exciting period for 129 (Dragon) Battery, as we enter a two-year readiness period, sup- porting the Light-Infantry Battlegroups of 7 (Infantry) Brigade.
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
129 (Dragon) Battery Royal Artillery
Battery Commander’s Foreword
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