Page 86 - Cavalry Regiment

Ayear of high readiness across multiple commitments, trawls, exercises and preparatory work for two concurrent operations has kept the LAD focused. As part of their Squadron groups, the fitter sections have delivered excellent results to allow the Regiment to keep training and each tradesman has learnt valuable new skills along the way.
Maintaining readiness as part of the Joint Expeditionary Force has been a challenge for the LAD who have had to keep vehicle availability above 85% whilst ensuring they can deploy at short notice. The fitter sections have been well looked after by their respective Squadrons which has assisted in this and helped to drive up equipment care standards. Members of the LAD have also been deployed twice in support of flood relief and held at high readiness for wider support to the civil authorities.
An overseas, interoperability exercise with the USA brought a fresh set of challenges for the LAD who worked alongside their American counterparts on the Humvee. Driver training and a quick introduction to the platform in the UK set the condi- tions for an exciting deployment. The whole Squadron quickly got to grips with the new platform and the LAD were able to get hands on maintenance experience. Many lessons were shared from British and American experiences and the differences in lay down across the battlefield were significant. There was time for some much-needed rest and recuperation after the exercise phase, where many people found themselves exploring Las Vegas.
The Regimental exercise in Scotland was another opportunity for the LAD to test its mettle in a challenging environment. Inclement weather and difficult ground conditions called for an intensive inspection and maintenance regime which paid divi- dends, with no training missed due to vehicle availability. This exercise was also another chance to demonstrate the utility of hav- ing the fitter sections mounted in a Coyote and Jackal. This gave the Artificers the ability to deploy forward and provide intimate equipment support, whilst maintaining the same profile and pos- ture as the Squadron.
The LAD has been called upon to support the Brigade through a wide variety of trawls throughout the year which has provided some exciting opportunities. Deployments have ranged from short term technical support in the UK to long term deployments to Afghanistan, Kenya and the Falklands. The variety of these deployments has improved the breadth of experience across the LAD in time for deployments of our own.
Upcoming operations to Poland and Mali will provide unparal- leled opportunity and focus for the LAD and give a genuine sense of purpose. A significant uplift in vehicles will see a mixture of military and civilian teams engaged in the preparation of an operational fleet with oversight and management from the LAD. Personal preparation with the deploying Squadrons is strength- ening the bond across the unit and will continue to enhance the excellent experience that REME soldiers have when part of The Light Dragoons.
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Light Aid Detachment
22
Arte et Marte
PJD