9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0022
Image details
| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
| Transcription |
22 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) C Squadron 24 hours /ater, Sgt Payne’s Maroon! shares fe// through the floor his year has seen C Sqn deployed on OP AGRICOLA V, fol- lowed by Rear Party duties in Germany The difference between these two activities could not have been greater. The first involved the Squadron acting independently of the Regiment while, at the same time, having the benefit of the Regiment’s resources. This was followed, on return, by quickly becoming the poor relation to the other Squadrons who were deploying to Oman on Ex SAIF SAREEA II. The over-strength Squadron that had deployed to Kosovo very rapidly dwindled in order to bolster the other Squadrons. This left a still healthy Squadron on paper. However, as Squadron parades quickly proved, the backlog of courses took its toll. At times it seemed like there were few others around apart from the SSM. However, the Squadron was still kept busy while on Rear Party duties. The events of September llth tied up manpower the Squadron could ill afford to spare. Yet, despite this, C Squadron entertained Y Squadron, Queens Own Yeomanry for a week, qualified all new recruits, ran a mounted exercise on the local area, and prepared for Gunnery Camp. Time was even found to send the majority of the Squadron on adventurous training which ranged from sailing and powerboat courses in the Baltic, to parachuting at Bad Lippspringe. Since its return from OP AGRICOLA V, the Squadron has seen many changes in personalities, primarily Major Bannister tak- ing over command from Major Crewdson. Throughout the Squadron, there have been many promotions and postings, which are too numerous to list but are covered in detail in the Troop notes, proving the high calibre of soldiers that C Squadron continues to produce. 7st Tp C San , one step ahead we//, two aotuaHy ... . . I 2001 has proved to be an extremely successful year starting with a demanding operational tour and maintaining high standards throughout the year culminating in a successful Squadron gun- nery camp with all crews passing Annual Crew Tests at the first attempt. All Squadron personnel can hold their head high and look forward to 2002 with eager anticipation and the challenges that OPFOR in Canada brings with it. lst Troop The New Year started with a vigorous pre-Kosovo training pack- age. Due to the Squadron’s diverse role the package was tough and interesting, providing a proper challenge to the Troop. The Troop had a good deal of experience on its side from previous tours of Bosnia and Ireland. This wide skills base came in use- ful, as there were a varied number of tasks that the Troop under- took. These included rural Land Rover and Scimitar patrols through to urban foot patrols assisting the local Kosovo Police Service (KPS), and the UN police (UNMI K). Within two weeks of arriving in Kosovo a Serbian bus was blown up by an IED placed in a culvert under the road. The attack took place 600m inside Kosovo, close to the main entry point between Kosovo and Serbia. This attack came as a great shock to the Squadron. Twelve Serbian civilians were killed. Having been told by our preceding unit that Kosovo was relatively quiet, atti- tudes changed overnight. Even though the length of the tour was reduced to four and a half months it was extremely busy, with frequent deployments out of our area of operations. The Squadron returned to Germany in June and departed on a long and well deserved leave period. With the departure of the rest of the Regiment on Ex Saif Sareea II during September and October the Squadron took over rear party duties. The focus then shifted on to vehicle preparation for the Squadron firing period in November. This was a successful camp for lst Troop, three of the four vehicle commanders were qualified Regimental Gunnery Instructors, so it was entertaining to see the Squadron award for the Best Crew go to the fourth, and most junior crew. Cpl Savage, Tpr Brindley and Tpr Lander well done. Sgt Smart achieved a solid level 5 on his re-shoot. It has been a busy year, with a high turn over in the Troop, Capt Inglefield handed over to Lt Searby towards the end of the Kosovo tour. Sgt Smart has remained as ever. Cpl now Sgt ‘Spike’ Fleetwood has moved on to A Sqn, Cpl ‘Oi’ Johnson has moved to Command Troop. Cpl Mackay joins us from 3 Troop, and Cpl Broadhurst from Support Troop. LCpl Pike has moved on to the Sandhurst signals store with promotion. LCpl ‘Jordan’ Lt Searby takes on ammuh/t/oh before oommehcrhg the San Ldr’s EX |
| Title |