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1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
LAD
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards Light Aid Detachment have had a busy year focussed on supporting the QDG Task Group on Op NEWCOMBE 3 in Mali. A hugely difficult and varied task, it took our soldiers and equipment to their limits both due to the difficulties of the environ- ment and the challenging nature of the situation. Conducting repair to enable the capture of terrorist group fighters and not allowing being accidentally attacked by a Malian helicopter to inter- rupt the delivery of Equipment Support, we returned from Mali tired but hugely proud of our achievements. With 75 vehicles of 7 different types to support, all with their own unique issues, it was an intellectual challenge as well as physical, and we succeeded throughout thanks to the high standard of the LAD as individ- uals and as a team. The LAD ROG also supported us fantastically from the UK, providing tricky parts when required, and supporting the regiment and brigade whilst we were deployed, including deploying elsewhere themselves. Hugely rewarding, this year has been a fantastic experience for the whole LAD.
Operations
QDG LAD has tested its mettle as part of the Long Range Reconnaissance Group deployed on UN Peacekeeping Opera- tions in Mali. Supporting the QDG Task Group, the LAD consisted of an LAD HQ, three Sub-Unit Fitter Sections and a National Support Element. Supported by augmentees from 1 R IRISH, 1REME and 33 Engr Regt, the LAD deployed with the Task Group. Covering thousands
of kilometres across challenging terrain in temperatures regularly exceeding 45 degrees, the LAD prepared themselves for what Mali had to offer. With limited scope for
resupply, the LAD developed accom- plished diagnosis, repair and recovery, whilst being almost entirely self-suffi- cient in an environment amongst the most difficult the Corps has faced since its inception. The support delivered to the Task Group far outweighed the sum of the LAD’s parts and allowed the Task Group the freedom to manoeuvre and complete its mission.
Training and development
With much of the LAD deployed on Op NEWCOMBE, the remaining ROG took the opportunity to maintain the develop- ment and training of LAD members away from camp. Cpl Pratt deployed to Norway with 2 Royal Anglian to provide Recovery support, allowing him to develop his recovery skills within a new and chal- lenging environment. This included multiple recovery tasks from Skjold base to various locations in 24-hour daylight. Various members of the LAD deployed to outside Units allowing them to complete their 3-2 Trade Progression and to gain
valuable experience on unfamiliar equip- ment. The highlight of this was one of the Electrical Technicians working at 5RA, gaining experience on Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Asset (MAMBA), learning how they
operate and common faults that occur.
Sunset spannering.
Working hard or hardly working...