Regimental Update: September 2020
This update sees the Regiment back in Tidworth and returned to work after Op CABRIT and the COVID lockdown. Life is, perhaps unsurprisingly, very different with crews and Troops broken down into households and cohorts. The Regiment continues to train and operate within the COVID restrictions to remain ready for both the Lead Armoured Battle Group (as previously described) and the UK Stand by Battalion (UKSB) commitments. The UKSB task sees us held at a reduced notice to move ready to respond to civil emergencies; everything from support to a flooding event to responding to a terrorist incident at home.
After a very busy 2 years, the last few months have given the Regiment much-needed time and space to focus on career courses, sports, adventure training and the Pipes and Drums. That said we continue to provide Squadrons to Op CABRIT in Estonia with ‘D of E’ Sqn (‘C’ Sqn) currently handing over to ‘D’ Sqn for what is potentially our last rotation for a year or more. Since October 2019 and up until ‘D’ Sqn’s return in spring 2021 we will have provided the British armoured contribution to the defence and deterrence of Russian aggression on NATO’s eastern border. We have made firm friendships within the Estonia Brigade and have benefited significantly from dedicated time on tanks in a well-resourced and well-set deployment.
Closer to home some appointment changes have taken place with Maj Lewis Ballard-Whyte SCOTS DG assuming command of A Sqn and Maj Steve Bee RTR taking over D Sqn. Capt Mac McWilliams has returned from 2 years with the RDG to take up the post as the QM(T) with Capt Andy Meenan moving to be the Training Officer.
Between now and Christmas the Sqns and Recce Troop will conduct low-level training on Salisbury Plain this month before conducting the last of their gunnery training before deploying to Castle Martin for annual firing in October. A week in CATT in November will keep the Sqns sharp whilst RHQ are deployed on a Divisional planning exercise.
Busy and coping with COVID well the Regiment remains the Army’s best-trained and highest readiness armoured force. We are ready to deploy at home or abroad to cover everything from flooding to major combat operations.
Major B Erskine-Naylor, Regimental Second in Command
