Page 16 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

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The STRIKE concept will require a change in the way we con- duct reconnaissance. Armoured Cavalry regiments will have to be comfortable in the use of force and not purely reliant on stealth for delivering effect. Re-establishing our lethality is a critical step on our path to STRIKE.
With this in mind, the Regiment deployed for a three-week Regi- mental Gunnery Camp at Castlemartin Ranges in September. Fol- lowing operations in 2018, the exercise marked the Regiment’s return to mounted live firing following a 24-month gap. This was also the first time since amalgamation that all five Squadrons would be simultaneously deployed on a gunnery camp.
Gunnery is one of those skills which requires regular training and crew consistency, neither of which were abundant at the start of September. 100% of crews were firing together for the first time with 71% of Scimitar gunners experiencing their first training progression to the Annual Crew Test (ACT). Our col- lective inexperienced was alarmingly apparent. All Sabre Squad- rons suffered from slow progression through the early live firing exercises causing frustration for all. This was, however, a bless- ing in disguise. The requirement to repeat exercises gave our Regimental Gunnery Instructors (RIGs) the opportunity to get amongst the crews and the rear of the firing points soon became mini Gunnery Schools. The immense effort of all the RIGs and their crews was evident in the rapid improvement of the exer- cise scores. Despite not the smoothest of starts, collectively the Scimitar crews achieved a 96% first time ACT pass rate – an out- standing achievement given the inexperience of the crews.
The story was slightly better on the variant ranges with a faster progression from the Spartan, Sultan and Panther crews. De- spite 12 new commanders and an aging firing mechanism des- tined to test the very best armourers the REME has on offer; 15 of the 16 Spartan crews achieved first time ACT passes with eight crews progressing onto a bespoke section (two vehicles) ex- ercise. Despite a sluggish start, OC HQ Squadron finally got his act together and the Panther crews finished with a 100% ACT first time pass rate.
Lethality is about more than just firing from our vehicle plat- forms. Our Fire Support Troops, equipped with NLAW and Javelin anti-tank weapon systems, are critical to our ability to unlock our manoeuvre on the battlefield. For first time since amalgamation, Lancers fired five NLAWs on a well-designed range planned by Capt Will Cave. Equally the capability of our
assault soldiers, working with our organic Royal Engineers, to conduct mobility and counter mobility activities is essential to freedom of manoeuvre. Led by Sgts Whitehead Jr and Chianca, 15 assault soldiers conducted live explosive method of entry and obstacle removal exercises in the glorious late September Pem- brokeshire sunshine.
It can’t all be work and no play. SSgt Burnell, our RAPTCI, or- ganised two fantastic inter-squadron sports events. The inaugu- ral Burnell Cup, a potted sports competition, saw rivalry on a wide spectrum of sports from Volleyball to Rugby 7s. HQ Sqn came away victorious at least in part due to the QM(T)’s ster- ling performance at the mini-golf. The Babington Shield British Army Warrior Fitness (CrossFit to anybody in the real world) competition pushed the teams to their limits through a range of strength and cardio fitness stands. B Squadron were crowned as the 2019 champions.
WATERLOO LANCER 19 concluded with the Commanding Officers’ Top Scimitar Crew competition. Based on their ACT results, the top crew from each Sabre Sqn was nominated to compete in live fire exercise specially designed by the Gunnery Training and Advisory Team (GTAT). The victorious crew, a hy- brid from HQ and B Squadrons, were Cpl Allen, LCpl Blondin- Diop and Tpr Blakemore.
A watershed moment from The Royal Lancers. Five Squadrons si- multaneously deployed on exercise over a three-week period, test- ing not only our personnel but our fighting platforms and the full spectrum of our weapon systems. An overall 97% first time ACT pass rate, not only significantly above the mandated 80% but the best within 3 (UK) Division. We have well and truly set the bar for our Armoured Cavalry brethren.
REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
Return to Lethality – Exercise WATERLOO LANCER
ARH