9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2002 - Page 0032
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2002 |
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30 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) With the preparations finalised, it was finally time to deploy. This was an opportunity for OPFOR to practice tactics, work in conjunction with attached units and, of course, break vehicles. The Maint Group deployed into the field under the command of A Squadron “Tiffy”, SSgt Nick Richards. This provided us with the opportunity to become familiar with our own vehicles and crews and eliminate any trouble spots before the start of Ex MEDMAN 1. It also allowed us to experience the unpredictable Canadian climate. The Maint Group consisted oftwo SAMSON recovery vehicles, three STURGEONS, one BEDFORD, one DROPS and a FODEN recovery vehicle. The FODEN only deployed if Cfn “Frenchie” Bohan could keep it road worthy long enough. With beat up training completed and all preparations made for Ex MMl, the CO OPFOR granted a stand down period. Most of the lads could only think of one thing... road trip. The majority set off in all directions around Alberta and some fur- ther a field. Some of the Maint Group managed to take advan- tage of the adventure training facilities at Trails End Camp, sit- uated at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. The Maint Group arrived back from the stand down period refreshed and ready to deploy on MMl. OPFOR deployed on D+13 to OPFOR Village South. The first few days would involve the Battlegroup using OPFOR as targets in order to familiarise themselves with their DEFWES equipment and the enemy. This did not give the Maint Group a great deal of problems to contend with as it involved very little track mileage. The real challenge was yet to come with Ex TOTALISE looming in the midst. OPFOR would provide a live enemy, which meant increased vehicle movement and more employment involvement of the Maint Group. The missions commenced and our main effort was to ensure that CO OPFOR had the highest possible equipment availability at all times. This often meant working trough the night. The FRT, consisting of SSgt Jim Stoter and Cfn Geo Boodram, were becoming increasingly nocturnal. At least two Maint Group callsigns provided close support on all missions, giving the LAD a chance to practice our tactical skills. Cpl “Dinger” Bell, commander of C/S 42 and boasting to have more airtime than Vodaphone, soon demonstrated his unique method of finding minefields. There were a/ways b/ts /eft over when the wagons were put back together The LAD oh the name With MMl finished, it was time to do it all again for MMZ. The same preparations were required but a different Battlegroup to content with. MMZ carried on quite uneventfully. OPFOR, under the command Lt Col J M Martin 7 the Prairie Fox, con- tinued to be formidable opponents for the Battlegroup. The Maint Group continued to give excellent equipment support and another exercise was drawing to a close. The period between MMZ and MM3 saw the arrival of six Royal Marine mechanics from Cdo Log Regt to boost our manpower. They provided a crew for the FODEN and a third man for the STURGEONS. Everything was running smoothly until an evil plot emerged. SSgt Nick Richards was renowned within the LAD for owning the “Mug of Justice”, his prized possession, which he used to dispense “justice” to those who had erred. Amongst those most familiar with this process was Cfn Johnny Kearney. At the end of MM3 a marine, with the assistance of Cfn Gaz Ritchie, stole the “Mug of Justice” and proceeded to issue anonymous ransom demands. By this time “Tiff” Richards was not a happy man. His frustration was compound- ed when a photo emerged with two masked men holding the mug with yet more demands. It did not take a genius to identi- fy these hooded figures and, once recovered, “justice” was duly served on the culprits. |
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