This will be the final From the First before D Squadron’s return from Afghanistan. In very many ways it is hard to believe that it was 6 months ago we said farewell to the Squadron. I am sure, for the families, it will seem like an eternity but to be where we are now with the very low casualty rate is a huge positive. We are expecting a surge of activity against coalition forces during D Squadron’s last few weeks in theatre and therefore we will all be glad when they finally return. When that happens we have plans to provide D Squadron with a well earned high profile reception which will include marches through Thetford and Liverpool as well as a medal parade and service in St Edmundsbury Cathedral. It is no less than they deserve and I am pleased to report that the bold and innovative spirit that flows through the Regiment’s history has been maintained by D Squadron on this very demanding tour.
Another commitment that will come to an end soon is the Regiment’s lead of the Multinational CBRN Battalion as part of the NATO Reaction Force. As expected, the commitment was an exercise in force generation more than anything else but the experience has been a valuable one for the Regiment and I am sure it will not be too long before the UK commits to take its turn again in the role. H Squadron has used this period of high readiness to develop further some of the concepts that support the Regiment’s CBRN capabilities. Included in this we have a group of officers and soldiers about to start Parachute Company which will further enhance our utility to light and specialist forces. In addition, the Squadron’s adaptation of the Fuchs vehicle into Medium Role Teams, reflecting better its utility to the Contemporary Operating Environment, has earned much praise and support right up to MOD level.
Staying at the strategic level for a moment, we have all been waiting to see how the budget deficit and coalition government will impact upon defence and whether there are any implications in this for the Regiment. We are already beginning to see the impacts. For example A Squadron will deploy to Castlemartin Ranges in July to conduct annual firing without any 120mm ammunition. Although firing sub-calibre ammunition is no replacement for the real thing, I am convinced that demonstrating our commitment to training is the right way to go and, hopefully, it will help reinforce our case to allocate A Squadron main armament ammunition in subsequent years. Beyond this, the Squadron continues to adapt to changing requirements and is increasingly being used in support of training throughout the UK. One particular event of note was the successful visit of the Vintners to the Squadron. We probably sailed a little close to the wind on the battlefield inoculation but it appears to have been enjoyed by all.
Closer to home, in Honington, we are deep into the preparations to stand up G Squadron as a fully fledged sabre squadron for the first time in 4 years. The manpower to make this happen currently sits within A and D Squadrons but the infrastructure laydown to bring G Squadron back into the main camp has been set and the highly complex training schedule to make it happen is also in place. Final wobbles from the contractor on the delivery of the new Light Role Team equipment program may have an impact but the prospect of having Regimental Headquarters, three sabre squadrons and Headquarter Squadron all on the same site is exciting. Unfortunately 27 Squadron RAF Regiment will remain dislocated on the other side of the airfield but the excellent facilities that they enjoy there make it an acceptable compromise.
On the wider front, we have managed to retain our access to adventure training. Moreover, the First has grown accustomed to sporting success recently. Following on from our elevation to RAC nordic champions, we have also acquired the titles of RAC hockey, offshore sailing and boxing champions too. In the future we have secured our place in the Army golf championship finals where we are currently one of the favourites to win. Other notable successes include the Pipes and Drums who played at the Australian Tattoo and then to great applause under the tutelage of the new Pipe Major, Sgt Willoughby, at the Royal Windsor Tattoo. Saying farewell to Pipe Major Sumner was, of course, a bitter sweet moment but for him to secure one of the two Warrant Officer instructor posts at the School of Bagpipe Music and Drumming is a great feather in the Regiment’s cap.
Perhaps by the next edition of Tank Magazine we will have greater certainty on some of the options to defence that will follow from the forthcoming Strategic Defence and Security Review. From what I understand, the approach to CBRN could well play a significant part in the Review. The skills sets that our officers and soldiers have acquired over the last 10 years are now opening up some interesting avenues for the Regiment. This combined with our inherent flexibility – demonstrated ably in both Iraq and Afghanistan in the last 18 months – should put the Regiment in a strong position. I sense that it is more likely that the Incident Response capabilities of the Regiment will deepen rather than a move back to armour – who knows we may even have to consider another change of name to reflect this – equally the experience of the Regiment in the joint environment may also be developed. But, as was evident from the recent Arras Battlefield Tour with the 1/4/7 Reunion, the Regiment is proud of its flexibility and fortitude in the face of daunting challenges and I am confident that, whatever happens, the Regiment’s reputation will be further enhanced.