what proved to be a tour of outstanding achievements for them. Eventually in July we were given the word that the Fire strike was officially over and that we were to hand back our fire engines and equipment. The regi‘ ment stood to and cleaned and polished their appliances to the satisfaction ofthe QM(T). By the end of the strike we had accumulated a total of twenty five Green Goddesses, four Red Goddesses and an Aerial Water Tower, all of which had to go back to their original owners in a clean and serviceable condition. This was achieved with relatively little fuss and all the equipment we had loaned was accounted for, all except for one fire— mans suit complete with yellow helmet and boots. This appeared anonymously about six weeks later probably after its novelty value had run out as a strip-ogram outfit. No sooner had D Squadron returned from Op TELIC did the task of getting their vehicles back up to a good standard begin. As you can imagine the war had taken its toll on them and with the added difficulty of acquiring spare parts in theatre they were in need of some serious love and attention. Added to this was the problem oftrying to remove the temporary desert camouflage paint, which was applied to all the vehicles during the war. Although it was applied as a temporary measure it required a certain chemical to be applied to remove it.
Light Aid Detachment 003 has been a very busy year for the LAD. Successful Engineer Support (ES) has been provided for numerous commitments and operations... The largest commitment was the prepa-
ration of D Squadron for their deploy— ment on OP TELIC with 16 Air Assault Brigade. This committed a lot ofperson-
nel from the LAD and external REME
th/ Buck/8y RHG/D and LSgt The/hath th.
civilian contract to remove the paint and
it took a team of men a week to remove it from our vehicles. This took longer
straight from Iraq and were in a terrible
than they expected as the hot desert sun had baked the paint so hard it took two
manpower to ensure that the Squadron was prepared properly. A 10 man Fitter Section headed up by SSgt Howard completed the pre»deployment training pack-
age and left for Kuwait in February. Mechanised Brigade. As they were an independent squadron they took a QMT DAF Binner with them along with LCpl Dove LG as the QMT storeman. The next thing to hit the headlines was that the regiment were to send two squadrons (A and B) to Iraq on OP Telic 4 as part of l Mechanised Brigades deployment in spring 2004. With this news came the order that we were going to give up seventeen of our Scimitars to the Light Dragoons, the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Cheshires and in return receive seventeen MBP Scimitars also fitted with the new Ballistic Protection (BP). This involved a great deal of hard work and lots oflate nights getting the vehicles ready to hand over only to find out the eight of the new
In the end the MOD put into place a
working experience to a Logistic Battalion in New Zealand. A great time was had by all; and he is now paying for his fun by running the Op OCULUS Fitter Section in Bosnia.
Scimitars we were to receive had come state. Unfortunately the lions share of
or three applications of the chemical to remove it. While all of this was going on B Squadron had deployed to BATUS with V
the work fell on B Squadron as the majority of the vehicles that were moving belonged to them. After more late nights and plenty of teddies being thrown in corners the work was finished and the Squadrons are now ready to begin their pre Op TELIC training in January. During the year the department has been through a few personality changes starting with the RQMC, W02 Smith RHG/D who moved on promotion to HCMR and with it the appointment of RCM. We wish him all the best in his new job and the challenges that come with it. He was replaced by W02 Gib— bons RHG/D who has moved up from HQ Squadron SCM. Also during the year LCpl Harris LG and Tprs Dixon LG, Smith LG and Blackburn RHG/D have joined the department. We are also saying goodbye to LCpls Bond RHG/D who is moving to A Sqn and LCpl Beau— mont LG who is returning to HCMR. Finally we congratulate CoH Carrington RHG/D on his promotion to SCpl.
On arrival in Kuwait training continued as the squadron started working with the Brigade. This resulted in the Fitter Sec— tion working hard to keep the vehicles on the road as the mileage increased. A theatre wide lack of spares meant that some imaginative sourcing of spares was always necessary! During this period, the remainder of the LAD was significantly involved in Op
FRESCO as both Fire Crews and ES Staff; and Op FLAK in support of the Squadrons. Other commitments in the Spring included Regimental Dismount— ed Training in Otterburn, where the
LAD
partook
fully
in
the
Sabre
Squadrons training. May saw the preparation of the vehicles for the Regimental Standards Parade. The vehicles were re-spayed for the occasion and the Fitter Sections worked through the night to prepare the vehicles for the following day’s rehearsals. Road Wheels were a scarcity; however, our friends form DLO assisted us in locating a local supply. Sgt Garvie disappeared during this time for Ex LONG LOOK, a four month
.w
D Sqn Adm/h Tp on Op TEL/C
The visit of Mr Wal/y Harris MM
June saw the LAD deployed on a Regimental Firing Package at Castlemartin. During this period the LAD had the opportunity to look at its own 8015 and to refurbish some of the LAD vehicles. ITDs were completed and some adventurous training with HQ Squadron. In the Summer B and C Squadrons completed TESEX and B Squadron deployed to BATUS. The Fitter Section worked hard in support of the Squadrons training and fully integrated their ES in support of the Squadron deployment. The LAD ent/y for the Grea North Run.
There have been a number of visits to the LAD this year, including Mr W Harris MM, a REME WW2 veteran and the local Beavers Pack. The LAD has supported Ex SOUTHERN CRAFTSMAN, a REME TA exercise and the REME Muse— um Technology Day. On the run up to Christmas, vehicle turn— around has been on the increase and the LAD works hard at preparing the Mine Blast Protected vehicles for Ex ROYAL FLUSH and Op TELIC 4. This year has been very busy and the LAD has worked to full capacity support— ing the Regiments training. Our successes have included the 4th Fitter Section finally being established in October 2003 and our Second Line ES being returned to OPCON l Mechanized Brigade from 5th January 2004. The strong integration between the Squadrons and the Fitter Sections has paid dividends in providing successful ES both on exercise and on operations.
The LAD Beavers WS/I.
Household Cavalry Regiment 26
Household Cavalry Regiment