Page 85 - Cavalry Regiment

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
HQ Squadron
2019 proved a busy year for HQ Sqn, man- aging to support the Regiment on every- thing from exercises to Observation Posts. The constant requirement to have person- nel on standby for UK operations was tax- ing but the Sqn’s critical contribution to
both call outs and can-do attitude of all involved proved a credit to the squadron.
The 2IC changed at the start of the year, Capt Cuthbertson left for the dizzying heights of QM and the newly promoted Capt Allford came from B Sqn SSM. The Sqn supported a Battle Group HQ planning exercise, fortunately in Catterick. This allowed the new churn of staff officers to settle into BGHQ deployed roles and the CO to have confidence in his team. The new Operations Warrant Officer, SSgt Robinson replaced SSgt Hirst who will be missed by the Officers as he heads away on posting. The summer term high- light saw most of the Sqn deploy on adventurous training giving
OC 2IC SSM
the guys plenty of opportunity to have fun away from the normal jogging of Camp life.
The winter term kicked off with Warcop ranges and another BGHQ planning exercise in preparation for the annual regimen- tal mounted exercise in Scotland. The QM (Technical) dept and Command Troop became to focus and hub of regimental activity after numerous vehicle pickups and fleet transfers to support the exercise. Finally, the Sqn deployed to Galloway and Dumfries set- ting up on an airfield. Command Troop dominated the key terrain and claimed the most comfortable building that coincidently hap- pened to have good comms! The focus of the exercise was support to the A and C Sqns. The weather, distances and terrain proved challenging but finally after several wet episodes the road march back to Catterick ensured most had been thoroughly tested.
HQ Sqn’s contribution to regimental prowess was significant in 2019. It contributed the lion’s share of the triathlon team: Maj Stott, WO1 RSM Buchan, SSgt Costello, SSgt QMSI Hanson and Cpl Stevenson. All provided key performances and rising per- sonal bests throughout the season and ensuring a LD winning team at the RAC Championships. The highlight of their season was a triathlon sports tour to Mallorca, which just happened to be at the same time as exercise in Scotland! There were further contributions in football, rugby, golf (RAC Champions 2019) and volleyball. Significant highlights go to the women of HQ, without whom the regiment would not have been able to be crowned over- all winners of 1UK Div Bismarck Trophy. Sgt Hardwicke, Cpl Stevenson and LCpl Coldwell all took part.
As 2019 ended, the focus of the Sqn and the regiment switch to operations and supporting the demands of deployments to Poland and Mali. 2020 promises to bring another busy year and no doubt a long list of challenges with HQ Sqn stood by to solve them!
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