9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2003 - Page 0030
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
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28 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) The end of]uly saw us exercising on Summer Charge with the new MBP Scimitar. It was all going so well until they decided to break down at the same time, just as the seniors were about to leave for “dinner in the field”. This turned into a very long evening as some of C Sqn have “no code” and the rest were made to “stand to” when somebody lost his patrol, (too much tour of duty I think). The final day of the exercise saw every “24” callsign recovering some- body at least part of the way back to camp, and the Foden doing shuttles for the remainder. The shortage of desert combats takes rts to// The next thing we set our sights on was the REME (G) 6’s Competition, which saw C Sqn supplying half the team. After 10 gruelling hours of football we emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over 3 RHA in the final. We now have our sights firmly set on the forthcoming tour of Iraq and all that it brings. Post-deployment Op Telic 3 The fateful day eventually arrived and the majority of the Sqn departed to Basra International Airport on a cold German morning. We did, however, leave behind a small contingent who’s passports were not in date for long enough. We ended up at Shaibah Logistics Base where we were given tented accom- modation, Bedouin style, our home for about a week. There was a very hot and unhealthy whiff in the air and an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting (D&V) hit the camp. C Sqn was not immune and even some of our most stalwart were hit by the dreaded bug and laid out in the wards for 24 hours. Fortunately the short stay was followed by a flight north to Al Amarah in the Maysan province. As we departed we had the opportunity to say welcome A Sqn who were just arriving in Shaibah (how little did they know, and how little would we have them know). Al Amarah and its Camp Abu Naji instantly filled the soldiers with a sense of ease; we had the D&V mainly behind us and the accommodation was considerably more comfortable. We had also left the infestation of flies in Shaibah, to our great relief. We quickly settled down into a busybut organized routine. The Sqn Ldr’s rover group are out daily and could be seen driving into the sunset armed to the teeth with a variety of weapons. Highlights for the rover group include the Sgt Major being stoned in Al Amarah and the Sqn Ldr organizing VCPs and recovering quantities of weapons. All of the troops have been taking advantage of the time on the ground and have been driv- ing up to 500km during a patrol. Both the young and most sen- ior soldiers have perhaps spent more time carrying out true Recce tasks than many may complete in the five years. Notable incidents in these early stages include Capt Searby (‘Capt Henry’ to his friends in the Iraqi Border Police) trying to explain to the Iraqi border police just exactly why their money was less this month than the previous one, as he was paying them. Also Support Troop (AKA 4th Troop) collected in a major arms cache of seven AK47s and one (was it a water?) pistol. The Squadron has also deployed on a ten day operation carrying out Observation Posts in the border areas which gained the whole attention of the Battle Group and other assets to boot. This proved most interesting for SSgt Emery and his (5th) troop who set up in a large crater which filled with water during the first rains of the season. This conjures up an image of Sgt Pumford wading waist deep in mire trying to retrieve his kit from the raging torrent. The finale to this Operation was a well coordinated and well executed mass VCP set up resulting in a great deal of positive intelligence. The Sqn now looks forward to the rest of the tour with a poten- tial change in task and move around at Christmas time. We anticipate a huge variety of tasks coming our way and will ensure that the Iraqi Border Police and the Law Courts are func- tioning in a proper and (relatively) uncorrupt fashion. We are confident that we will make a big positive impact on these areas, proving again the flexibility of the Sqn. And a happy New Year |
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