I last wrote in July, with the Regiment returned from Castle Martin and EGYPT was but two months into their tour in Afghanistan. Since then, much has happened but very little of it in Tidworth. In Afghanistan, life has remained busy - and dangerous - for EGYPT. The RSM and I were able to visit at the end of August, and were both reassured and impressed by what we found. The Squadron was, and is, in the most remarkable heart. They are a tight, focused, motivated and compassionate group of men who are extremely well led and determined to do their job and to do it well. This strength was all the more impressive given the grievous casualties that they had suffered. Since our visit, the Squadron has remained busy with operations continuing throughout and not without cost. Amongst those injured was Trooper ‘Albert' Hall. Critically injured on 12th September as a result of an IED attack on his VIKING armoured vehicle, he was evacuated to the UK where he died of his wounds on 16th September 2009. Of the others injured and evacuated from Theatre, 4 are already back at work whilst they complete their recoveries and three are undergoing treatment at Hedley Court, interspersed with time at home. More seriously, Trooper Rayner who suffered severe injuries to both legs is awaiting a decision on whether he will lose a foot. Our thoughts and support remains with him, the Squadron's other casualties, their families and the families and friends of those killed. A Eulogy for Trooper ‘Albert' Hall is contained later within this edition.
Whilst EGYPT continued the fight in Theatre, the remainder of the Regiment prepared to deploy to Canada once again. A full rear party remained in place to support EGYPT, but every other fit man was pressed into service. BADGER, FALCON and Recce Troop deployed as part of the 2 R WELSH BG and were well exercised. BG HQ, NERO and CYCLOPS together formed the nucleus of the Contemporary Operating Environment Force (COEFOR) and backfilled the Temporary Staff commitment. The BG did well and the 2 squadrons in particular impressed in all they did. Life in the COEFOR camp was less restfull, as the demands of bringing the large TA contingent up to speed within the time available kept us on our toes. More notable however, was the heavy focus on the Contemporary Operating Environment in preference to force on force armoured manoeuvre. Nonetheless, the opportunity to train was gratefully exploited and we can look ahead to 2010 with BG HQ, NERO and each of the 3 squadrons having trained in BATUS twice in the last 18 months.
To finish, I would like to acknowledge the significant contributions made to the Regiment by some of those recently posted. Firstly, Maj Tim How has moved on after two masterful years as Regimental 2IC, handing over to Maj Mike Longman. He moves having been selected for promotion and with our thanks and heartfelt best wishes. Elsewhere, Maj Geoff Bird handed over as NERO to Maj Neil Amis, and moved to Bovington - the end of an era. Again, we wish him well and thank him for the enormous contribution he has made over the many years of his Regimental service. Maj Jason Sheffield handed over BADGER to Maj Jim Cameron after two years that began in BASRA. He has moved now to HQ CFA and he goes with our considerable thanks. Finally, Maj Charlie Burbridge handed over EGYPT to Maj Will Waugh in Afghanistan in late September. Charlie was absolutely the architect of the Squadron's current success and as an ‘incomer' from The Queen's Royal Lancers, we could not have been better served. We wish Charlie well as he recuperates and awaits the next challenge.
Fear Naught
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