Page 37 - Cavalry Regiment

Ice, mud, wood, bog...
still found for winter sport: the alpine team performed well in Verbier again and a relatively inexperienced Nordic team com- peted gamely in the Divisional championships. The KRH also deployed a small band of sliders to brave the perils and prices of St Moritz to test themselves against the infamous shuttlecock corner of the Cresta Run. C Squadron were having less fun with ice, completing a series of exercises in truly Baltic temperatures to prove themselves able to fight and defend in the harsh Estonian winter conditions.
A blur of pre-deployment activity dominated February as the conflicting demands of freight packing, last minute training and socialising competed to fill an already busy month. The Corporals’ Mess, Field Officers and Officers’ Mess living-in members all had parties, while the Quartermaster’s team celebrated the sealing of the last shipping container by visiting HMS Victory. A and D Squadron honed their HF radio skills, conducted last minute rifle ranges and a lucky few were tested on their knowledge of counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) drills. Visitors to the Regiment included GOC 3 (UK) Div, Major General James Swift, who called in to talk to those about to deploy, and three fascinating Flashman lecturers who continued the edu- cation of the Officers’ Mess. While the KRH battlegroup seized the opportunity to take some pre-deployment leave, B Squadron completed pre-firing training and deployed to Castlemartin to conduct their annual gunnery camp. All the while, C Squadron in Estonia continued to train and reassure with their Estonian part- ners while simultaneously preparing their vehicles and accom- modation for handover to A Squadron, and running a potential JNCO cadre in knee-high snow.
The KRH battlegroup took over from 1 YORKS on 15th March after a surprisingly painless deployment and handover. During this time, a final subunit joined: The Chasseurs Coy of the Belgian
Blending in
The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars 9
RAC 80
Flying the flag