Page 32 - Cavalry Regiment

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The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars
Foreword by The Colonel of the Regiment General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE DL
The return of The King’s Royal Hussars battlegroup to
UK in November marked the end of two years of dep
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ments at the forefront of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presenc
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important to the defence of the United Kingdom and a sig
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cant deterrent to those who threaten our national security. T
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Effective deterrence derives much from the physical power demonstrated by tanks and other military forces on manoeu- vres, but also benefifits from the positive interaction of those providing such capabilities with the population around them.
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of the Regiment: ruthless professionalism and commitmen the core mission, combined with that sense of humour and fun that we know so well and an enthusiasm for taking the opportuni- ties of the deployment across the Baltic states, be they sporting, cultural or social.
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Estonia. That operation, while largely unheralded, is extrem
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Regiment can be thoroughly proud of what they have achi
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and the manner in which they have done so. When I visited w
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the Colonel-in-Chief, we saw at fifirst-hand the enduring chara
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- rity relies upon close cooperation between outside forces from the wider alliance and the host nation, both military and civil; Estonia is no different. Russia persistently uses ‘sub-threshold’ acts of aggression such as media campaigns and hired hands to discredit and seek to devalue the NATO alliance. The Estonian population and government feel that pressure. The maintenance of a unifified, public and determined response by NATO – and The King’s Royal Hussars as NATO’s representatives at the time – has been an effective tonic. Accordingly, the gratitude of Estonia is
profound.
Underpinning any successful deployment are, of course, the foun- dations set at home, whether from our families, our rear opera- tions group or the Regimental Association. All have done their part with enthusiasm, and will be glad to hear that 2020 will allow time for some recuperation, reflflection and innovation before the well-known rigours of training in Canada return in 2021. Dismounted exercises in Serbia, adventurous training, sport, bat- tlefield studies and military competitions will reinvigorate the professional spirit. Events in the Messes, activities for families and Regimental Association fixtures will do much to reinvigorate the soul.
The highlight among all of that will surely be the Regiment’s privilege to provide troops to Public Duties in London from May to July. With serendipitous timing the start of the commitment will align with Cavalry Memorial Parade and our commitment in London and Windsor will endure through the best of the summer,
Iraq and Afghanistan have reminded us that enduring s
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including the VE Day 75 commemorations and numerous other events. Whether it is witnessing Cherrypicker trousers on parade on Buckingham Palace’s forecourt, the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London or visiting the guard at Windsor Castle, the Regiment will be firmly in the public eye. I would implore as many of you as possible to take the unique opportunities that will be advertised through the Regimental Association and thus con- tinue firmly to support the Regimental family.