Officers' Mess Update

EGYPT UPDATE

Major Warren Brennan

EGYPT continues to be the heartbeat for all Regimental activity providing support, sustainment, and administration both home and abroad. The Squadron has continued at pace throughout the last 12 months, supporting COVID-19 Testing and the deployment of BADGER on Op CABRIT 8, whilst simultaneously preparing for the RTR Battlegroup deployment on Op CABRIT 9.

With two key deployments, COVID-19, Battle Craft Syllabus exercises, CR2/WARRIOR ranges and a full assurance inspection regime the Squadron has had plenty to focus on. The period has seen several changes amongst the hierarchy, including a change in OC, with Maj ‘Bren’ Brennan replacing Maj Pete Rooney in Sept 20. We have also welcomed in Capt Frankie Caldwell, following his successful LE Commissioning, as the Motor Transport Officer.

The most challenging deployment of the year, so far, has undoubtably been on Ex TALLINN DAWN, which was the PreDeployment exercise to qualify the RTR Battlegroup for Op CABRIT 9. This saw the majority of EGYPT Squadron deploy to Sennelager for, in some cases, up to two months. As always, the Squadron were first in and last out in order to conduct handovers and takeovers and generally manage all aspects of the administrative and logistical burden placed on such deployments. It was a truly testing period which culminated in a challenging validation exercise which would see the Battlegroup signed off as being ready for operational deployment. The success of the deployment was completely down to the departments and the hard work that went into ensuring that we were trained and ready to deal with everything that came our way. Throughout the year I have been ably supported by my SSM, WO2 Les Edwards and latterly WO2 Pete Aubrook and my various 2ICs: Capt’s Lee Johnson, Steve Lassman and latterly WO1 Kev Mighall.

One of the most difficult aspects of the past 12 months has been the management of the Squadron under COVID restrictions, this has certainly hindered our ability to get together, socialise and even parade and conduct PT as a formed body. As I write, things are now a little more stable and we have been able to conduct PT as a group but have gone well over 18 months without any social events or real structure to our sporting activities; I am very conscious of this and will aim to put this right on our return from Op CABRIT in 2022. On the sporting front, some sports are well and truly back up and running, following COVID restrictions, whilst some are taking a little longer to re-establish themselves following 18 months of turmoil. SSgt Jay Heal secured 5th place, in the Masters Category, at the National Mountain Bike Series, with LCpl Woodman finishing 30th overall.

To conclude this update, I would like to thank and bid a fond farewell to the following key personalities of the Squadron:

• QM – Capt Tony Pasquale • Squadron 2IC – Capt Lee Johnson • RAO – Capt Steve Avis • EME – Capt Ciaron Milne • SSM – WO2 Les Edwards • RQMS – WO2 Ben Roder • RQMS(T) – WO2 Davie McIvor • RAWO – WO2 Cheryl Roberts • RCWO – SSgt Ash Wight

We all wish them well for the future. Fear Naught.

BGHQ setting up on Ex TALLINN DAWN