Page 11 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
able to offer help and advice. The Troop also enjoyed some excel- lent PT in the glorious south-coast sunshine under Cpl Bott and LCpl Pells, and morale was high.
The second week saw the start of the ranges and although there was a little rustiness at the start, the Troop soon found its rhythm. This was the first time D Squadron had done mount- ed ranges since the formation of the Regiment in 2015, but the Troop really impressed with its fast improvements to 30mm gunnery. LCpls Pennington and Potter were particularly com- petitive, and although there was little to separate them, LCpl Pennington finished the week as top gunner. There was a large supporting element from D Squadron and the wider Regiment, all of whom ensured a smooth week on the range. The REME support under SSgt Mays were in constant demand, and Cpl (now Sgt) Isherwood (B Squadron) was particularly helpful as a Regimental Instructor Gunner (RIG) and Ammo NCO. At the end of the week the Troop had achieved its aim with four crews qualified to Section level and ready to deploy to Finland on Ex- ercise ARROW.
After Easter leave 2nd Troop and the supporting element depart- ed for Finland from Manchester airport. Exercise ARROW is an annual validation exercise for the Finnish Army that includes a dry force-on-force phase and a live fire phase. On arrival at Ni- inisalo the Troop set to work to prepare the Scimitars for the dry phase of the exercise by fitting the simulation equipment under the watchful eye of Sgt Brice.
The Troop were well looked after throughout by Snr Lt Akseli Ruoranen who was the Liaison Officer. Capt Anani-Isaac spear- headed the D Squadron contingent, and SSgt Smith ran a tight SQMS ship that was a constant source of morale, despite Sgt El- lerby’s tyrannical attempts to force a sticky ban.
The Troop deployed onto the small exercise area and began with Troop level tactics, before taking part in Battlegroup integration training with the Finnish and American Armies. The final three days consisted of two force on force encounters a day, with new scenarios for each serial. The Finns were particularly impressed with the Troop’s use of the ground, a great testament to both the commanders and more importantly the drivers, for many of whom this was their first mounted exercise. Tprs Bilsland and Phillips were always looking for jobs and ensuring their vehi- cles were in peak condition (not easy with a CVR(T)), and Tprs (now LCpl) White and Shepherdson were all over any signalling issues the Troop encountered. Special mention must go to Cpl
Caton-Hewings, his gunner LCpl Farrington and his driver Tpr Phillips for taking out a group of M1 Abrams from the USMC.
The second phase of the exercise was the live fire phase under the ruthless Range Conducting Officer Lt Titcomb, now the British Army’s subject matter expert for mounted LFTT in Finland. He was assisted by SSgt Davies from the Gunnery School in Lul- worth, and WO2 Murphy from the SASC. The Troop, fresh from their FLETCHING LANCER successes, continued where they left off, and all gunners fired extremely well. The commanders all showed great control in each live fire situation. Sgt Ellerby led the Troop excellently in the absence of Lt Mackaness, who was side-lined with a broken leg for some over exuberant antics whilst recceing a lake after the dry phase. The LFTT finished with a Battlegroup advance, starting with the recce withdrawal in contact, and concluding with an armoured advance through 2nd Troop – a great spectacle for all involved. After three weeks of hard work the D Squadron contingent enjoyed a well-deserved day out in Tampere, including a trip to the famous Sarkanniemi water park, before returning to the UK.
A huge undertaking and a significant achievement for the Squadron. Capt Anani-Isaac and Lt Titcombe were highlighted by the Finnish General receiving commendations for their in- put, Sgt Ellerby deserves praise for his co-ordination of the gun- nery training, and Lt Mackaness for coming with the troop for (most of) the exercise.
CJSDM
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