HMS Kent – Royal Navy

1ST ARMOURED REGIMENT – AUSTRALIAN ARMY

Lieutenant Colonel T Orders (1st Armoured Regiment)

1st Armoured Regiment is fortunate to share a proud history through our affiliation with the Royal Tank Regiment, and has benefited from a close relationship over the years. Our history is what shapes our identity and it is this identity that we draw strength from. It is a privilege to share some reflections on 2020 — a year that has proven unlike any other in unit history.

THROUGH MUD… The devastating bushfires that affected so much of Australia in December and January led to one of the largest domestic deployments of the Australian Defence Force in our history. 1st Armoured Regiment formed part of this response, deploying to Kangaroo Island, South Australia to provide much needed disaster relief to the local community. The operation saw the Regiment deploy its Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV) and suite of support vehicles to support emergency services and the community by providing much needed relief and recovery. The opportunity to directly support the community during their time of need was an incredibly rewarding experience for the soldiers of the Regiment and we are proud to have been part of the response.

AND BLOOD... The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted our lives in ways that have not been seen for living generations. The isolating conditions imposed by the pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities in ensuring we remain connected and operationally sound. It has required different methods of training in order to maintain our proficiency while supporting the wellbeing of our people. The pandemic also saw the Regiment once again deploying as part of the Australian Defence Force’s provision of assistance to the Government of Victoria. At the time of writing, the Regiment remains deployed in Melbourne providing supporting the management of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state.

TO THE GREEN FIELDS BEYOND…

As we reflect on the past year, we look to the future. The Royal Australian Armoured Corps stands on the cusp of a major recapitalisation of our Armoured Vehicle fleet in the coming years, including tank and combat reconnaissance vehicles. The Regiment must ensure we are well positioned and prepared for new capability introduction while remaining uncompromising on the standards we set to be ready now. 2020 has tested us in different ways and we look forward to the challenges that lie ahead and ensuring we live up to our motto to be ready.

THE 12E RÉGIMENT BLINDÉ DU CANADA (12E RBC) – CANADIAN ARMY

Lieutenant R Gervais (2 Troop, A Squadron, 12e RBC)

Following our excellent exchange with CYCLOPS in January, the 12e RBC participated in several challenging operations and training events. To begin, elements of the Regiment spent over a month on Op NANOOK-NUNALIVUT in the Canadian Arctic reinforcing Canada’s sovereignty in this rapidly changing region.

Although the Arctic is certainly beautiful in its own way, other members of our Regiment were concurrently tasked with what many would consider a more pleasant opportunity. Courtesy of our sister Regiment in the French Army, Le 4e Régiment de Chasseur, a squadron of our soldiers braved the hardship of three weeks of mountain warfare training in the French Alps. Miraculously, they seem none the worse for wear.

As with the rest of the world, Canada has suffered the ill effects of COVID-19 and our Regiment’s home province of Québec has been hit particularly hard. Deploying as part of Op LASER, the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) response to the pandemic, the Regiment was tasked to aid several long-term care facilities struggling with the impacts of this pernicious disease. Working alongside medical personnel drawn from across the CAF, the Regiment provided daily patient care, thorough decontamination of medical facilities, and support to the distribution of critical equipment. After two months of difficult but rewarding work, the Regiment’s Task Force was stood down in June and returned to the garrison. Members of all ranks remain proud of their contribution to stabilizing the situation and helping some of Canada’s most vulnerable citizens in their time of need.

Now returned from a well-deserved period of summer leave, the Regiment has resumed its individual training and is preparing to transition to collective training at the troop and squadron levels. Naturally, this training forms part of the Regiment’s preparations for Canadian Army deployments to Latvia, the Middle East and Ukraine planned for 2021-2022. Despite the challenges and uncertainty presented by COVID-19, the 12e RBC has remained operational and continues to sharpen its readiness for conflict.

Members of D Squadron, 12 RBC, as part of OP NANOOK, prepare for a mounted patrol in Resolute Bay, Nunavut

Members of B Squadron and the 4e Régiment de Chasseur pose for a photo atop a mountain in the French Alps during Ex CHEVALIER TRICOLORE

A patrol of Coyotes wait for further orders after a successful combat team attack during Ex SABER AUCLAIR