from every discipline to represent HQ Squadron against the other Sabre Squadrons. In Camp the Squadron remains committed to hold its own on Regimental PT and the Old and Bold
work extremely hard to keep up with the next generation of Cavalryman. Looking further forward we have another run out for BGHQ on Exercise
KEY RESOLVE in South Korea and the training opportunities and value in different theatres of the world remain promising as we head into the next committed year.
Light Aid Detachment by Captain M J Keogh REME
A
testing yet incredibly rewarding year for the LAD; the ruthless determination of tradesman to succeed has directly supported the Regiment’s vital task of being held at high readiness and, despite the odd faux pas, the LAD has come out as strong as ever with its head held incredibly high. The year started as it would go on; supporting readiness and keeping the fleet in the highest of standards possible. Exercise TRACTABLE would be the first deployment of the year; requiring the Lead Cavalry Battle Group to crash out its entire vehicle fleet; it would be the HCR LAD that would take ES responsibility of approximately 160 platforms. Despite LSgt Nelson flattening his hand and drastic measures being taken to fit the Panther fleet with communications, the exercise went without a hitch averaging an availability of 96% throughout. Exercise TRACTABLE 16 was also the swan song for SSgt Brumpton-Taylor; a long serving and highly respected member of the LAD, his presence since moving onto bigger and better things has certainly been missed.
HCR LAD Lead Vehicle Mechanic Course to Latvian Army
The LAD continued to provide astounding Equipment Support to the Regiment for the remainder of the year. Particular mentions go out to AQMS Kenyon for taking sole responsibility of all manpower during the Annual Firing Camp, LCpl Spencer also for his herculean efforts in Castle Martin, Sgt Davidson for supporting two overseas commitments firstly deploying to deliver a Vehicle Mechanic course to the Latvian Army and then doing exactly the same in Oman and finally LSgt Nelson for stepping up splendidly as both Production Sergeant and Artificer of C Squadron Fitter Section. It’s a testament to both the tradesman of the LAD and the immense effort made by the Regimental personnel that an average availability of 92% in 2016 has been achieved whilst holding an enhanced Base Unit Fleet under readiness.
The LAD has been proud to welcome a fresh cohort of Artificers in the guise of SSgt’s Slater, Squibb and Devlin. Not only has there been a massive change to the LAD’s middle management, we have seen quite a substantial baby boom with six new arrivals to the REME family and three more due shortly! Whilst heavily committed with supporting readiness, Collective Training activities and paternity leave, the LAD has pushed itself hard to organise and deliver Adventurous Training to its tradesman and those from the Regiment it has been incredibly proud to support. From paragliding in the Brecon Beacons to skiing in the Austrian Alps, the LAD’s most notable expedition was
LATF formed up on Ex TRACTABLE
Sgt Davidson in Oman
LSgt Collier paragliding in the Brecon Beacons
24 ■ Household Cavalry Regiment
Mountaineering in Imst, Austria
The EME’s improvised communications