9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2013 - Page 0039
Image details
| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2013 |
| Transcription |
REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES'S) 37 and more sand; just like they show on TV. Even though there was plenty of sand, there were also lots of compounds, houses and trees; not what I expected in the desert, Duhll Spending time with the guys and girls who still go out on the ground was very humbling. Even though the intensity of operations has de- creased, their lack of basic amenities is one that we should be grateful we don’t have to endure back in Bastian. Regular cold showers and the use of ‘wag bags’ instead of the comfort of por- celain are a daily occurrence, but they do make the most of what they have. The military chefs do their best to keep morale up by holding theme nights on a Friday evening, ranging from Indian to McDonalds. The guys love it!! After two weeks, It was back to Bastion for me a veteran and warrior compared to the other members of my team. I am sure there are more memorable moments to come on this Op for me and I will not accept anything less. This is what I ioined the Army for and I will make the most of it having been given the opportunity. I am glad I have been fortunate to do my bit to show that we are not iust clerks but ‘Combat HR Specialists’. TF Light Aid Detachment (LAD) ME’s Foreword: it has been an extremely busy year for the LAD: when I arrived in May 2013 much of the LAD was already deep into the throws of Mission Specific Training and heavily integrated into the squadrons. As an example, I did not have an opportunity to meet the BRF Fitter Section until July 2013. The support and focus of both the Fitter Section com- manders and the squadrons themselves has been excellent and has ensured the tradesman have been thoroughly trained for the roles they are fulfilling throughout Op HERRICK 19. The LAD focus throughout deployment has not changed and the sections remain heavily integrated into the fighting Squadrons. From a REME perspective, this is a perfect example of our doctrine to “Repair forward,” ensuring tradesman are deployed on each and every operation to repair at the point of failure. All tradesmen fulfil secondary and even tertiary tasks within their respective troops, embodying the Corps ethos of “Soldier First, Tradesman Always”. This has worked extremely well and the WHG Gp has become the example on which the future Manoeuvre Battle Group (Op HERRICK 20) J4 Logistic Support has been based; specifically their ability to support enduring Operations without the comfort of retiring to Forward Operating Bases. jPS LAD Pre-Tour Function On the 9th September 13 the LAD held a Pre-tour/ Summer function in the Royal British Legion, with all LAD members and partners invited . The Main Effort was to pull together the heavily integrated LAD from across the three Squadron’s and let off some steam after a gruelling 6 months Mission Specific Training (MST). The lads chose a theme ofMovies or TV char- acters, with everyone managing to beg, borrow or steal some sort of fancy dress. After some pre-drinks to get everyone in the mood the beer pong table was set up with some big challenges going in to find out who is the LAD reigning beer pong cham- pion. A considerable amount of alcohol later, the crown went to LCpl Crawford-Rolt as no one is capable of beating the might of the Recovery Mechanics. Fuelled by alcohol, LCpl Roberts turned his hand to DJ’ing, controversially assisted by SSgt Webb who, after quite a few beers thought that he was the “Real Slim Shady” all be it a ginger version who could barely speak let alone rap. Some short speeches followed to welcome the new trades- man Cfn’s Tongue and Whatling into the LAD family. Ofcourse no welcome is complete without some games and forfeits led by the new boys, all went well until Sgt Carruthers took about 5 minutes to finish his beer; failing to uphold the Recovery Me- chanic image! To redeem himself, he joined his wife Becky in a perfect rendition of the Umpa-Loompa dance. With the night drawing to a close it was time to put people onto the transport home and to wish those deploying a safe tour. 3D |
| Title |