Squadron Updates

The departure this year of the West from Afghanistan, has added complexity to those power relationships. It has quickly re-opened an era of competition in Central Asia, like that played out in the Nineteenth Century Great Game between the British and Russian Empire. China, Russia and Turkey each vying now for influence in Central Asia. Many give the West credit for making a good start at the nation building so desperately required in Afghanistan but our friends in Asia are now concerned about our strategic impatience. Their concern is that if the West tired of Afghanistan, it will tire of protecting Taiwan too. If that happens it could be an accelerant to Russian resurgence in Eastern Europe.

In the dangerous decade that lies ahead, it is possible that any, or all, of the 5 domains: land, maritime, air, space and cyber could become hotly contested and even crossover from sub threshold contestation to all out conflict. It is important therefore that the Integrated Review and Future Soldier has committed to investment in the Tank. It has protected, where possible, the heavy armoured structure retaining our Regiment as the foundation of the British Army’s heavy armoured force. We must be prepared to understand, operate and advocate for armour in the era that lies ahead. As pioneers, we must also be prepared to influence the development of the UK’s defence in any of the other emergent domains.

As our security interests return to great power rivalry, we should reflect on the professionalism with which our Regiment served to counter the threat of international terrorism and provide support to nation building in Asia. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice, others now live with life changing physical injuries, many more suffer daily from mental trauma. I am sure that many suffer this trauma in silence. It is important that whether serving or not we all keep a watchful eye for the signs of distress among our cohort. Whenever required, the Regiment is stood by to support. This year, at home, the Regiment has again played a full part in the nation’s response to the Covid pandemic. The number of commendations awarded to Tankies is testament to that. There are too many to mention all by name, but I would like to point out the Standing Joint Commander’s commendations for Captain Morris and Sergeant Catterall. Covid has also taught us new ways of operating. Last year we held a virtual Cenotaph Parade. It opened our eyes to new opportunities to stay connected. The launch of our new website is an example. Other initiatives include the creation of a Regimental History Group to support understanding at the Regiment and more widely. Next year we will explore other imaginative initiatives to communicate better. The Regimental Council will continue to put strategies in place to build longterm resilience and introduce initiatives to support the Regimental family. Next year’s focus will be on the retention of talent and our Veterans.

Sport has necessarily been curtailed this year. The Army decided against a Winter sport season in 2020-21. This year it will return. While the Regiment’s chance of success will be bounded by the deployment on Op CABRIT, we will look to nurture new talent. Following our runners up spot in the 2020 Princess Marina Cup, it is fitting that Captain Hugo Catmur was recognised for his outstanding contribution to Royal Armoured Corp Sport. We continue to provide a strong core to the Royal Armoured Corp’s Rugby Union Team. We are well represented in the Corp’s e-gaming team. The virtual world of tanks is an area in which there are many good reasons to stake a strong regimental footprint, not least as it is proving to be a fertile recruiting ground. Finally, I am delighted that we were once again victorious in the Cavalry Cup football competition. Looking forward to next year, as well as our Colonel-in-Chief’s platinum jubilee, 2022 will mark the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Cambrai. Those who attended the centenary in 2017 will recall the increase in scale of events from previous quinquennial anniversaries in France. While 2022 will not quite be at the scale of 2017, it will broadly be of the same size and follow a similar format. After the enforced hibernation of Covid, it will not be one to miss.

Overall, I judge that this year has been a good one for the Regiment. We have proved our worth both in and out of role. The Integrated Review and Command Paper has committed the UK to investment in heavy armour and the generation of a tank that will see us through future decades. Where sporting success could be achieved it has been. We have laid the foundations for a bounce back with our Regimental network which will take us on to Cambrai 105. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

NOTES FROM THE COMMANDING OFFICER

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Worth

Lieutenant Colonel James Howard, Commanding Officer, The Royal Tank Regiment

When my predecessor wrote his forward this time last year, the Regiment was deployed across the country in support of the national response to COVID-19. It is worth looking back on that period for a few moments. The way that the Squadrons and our soldiers responded to the challenge was nothing short of magnificent.

It is my strong view that we will look back on this period with great pride; rarely do we have an opportunity to play such a vital and direct role in support of the nation. As you would expect there were many superb individual performances, and I am delighted that so many of our people have received formal recognition. The various deployments provided further evidence, if any was needed, of the Regiment’s ability to adapt to a new role at short notice and to deliver whatever is asked of us. Amidst the peak of the second wave, BADGER deployed to Estonia on Op CABRIT 8 with the 1 MERCIAN Battlegroup. They excelled on this demanding tour; indeed, I have heard nothing but praise from both CO 1 MERCIAN and the broader chain of command. Superbly led by Major Paul Hartley (and later by Major Rory McCullough), they proved to be superb ambassadors for the Regiment.

While BADGER was deployed, the RTR Battlegroup prepared for its own deployment on Op CABRIT 9. Our preparations culminated with Ex TALLINN DAWN, a demanding battlegroup exercise that took place in Sennelager, Germany. The Battlegroup deployed to Estonia in September and has now been in theatre for just over three months. So far, the tour has been incredible, and has offered more training in eight weeks than we could usually expect in a few years. As expected, our soldiers have adapted quickly to the demands of the Estonian terrain and have performed at the very highest standard – it really is a huge privilege to command such an amazing group of people. I acknowledge that for many it will be a very demanding six months; we are doing all we can to provide appropriate support and to help them enjoy the tour. I appreciate that the greatest challenge will fall on our families, and I remain hugely grateful for their support, it is very much appreciated. I would also like to thank to our incredible Welfare Team, who continue to amaze me with their energy and commitment. We will complete our tour in March 2022 and handover to 1 R WELSH.

Although the RTR Battlegroup is deployed in Estonia, nearly half the Regiment remains in Tidworth. Major Dan Berry’s AJAX has completed Ranges and will deploy on Mission Rehearsal Training before deploying to Estonia with 1 R WELSH. I have no doubt they will excel. CYCLOPS, commanded by Andy Pilsworth, have done a superb job delivering the Rear Operations Group. They are also preparing to join the Battlegroup for Ex IRON STORM in Autumn 2022, a critical element on our journey to combat readiness. More broadly, FALCON continue to do great things as part of 28 Engineer Regiment, offering a world class C-CBRN capability to Defence.

Away from work, we have been working really hard to rebuild our links with the Associations and our affiliated Cadets post COVID-19. I know there is much to do. I see our support to the wider RTR family as an essential and vital part of Regimental life; I would therefore be very grateful for ideas on how we can continue to improve the support we provide. In the short term the Tidworth-based Squadrons are stood by to support events and we are also trying to organise some Zoom-based webinars that I hope you will be able to attend.

Sport is also starting the emerge from hibernation and we are doing everything we can to reinvigorate our teams. I am particularly delighted that we have received confirmation that there will be winter sports competitions this year. Although our commitment to Op CABRIT will make it difficult to replicate the achievements of the last two years; we have every reason to hope that we will still be able to achieve some great results.

It has been an enormously busy year for the Regiment, but one that we can all be very proud of. Above all, we are energised by the opportunity to serve on operations. Looking forward, we have much to be excited about, not least combat ready training in late 2022. I very much look forward to sharing our journey with you.

Fear Naught

AJAX UPDATE

Major Dan Berry

AJAX at Castlemartin Ranges in March

Last year’s update signed off with plenty of promise. After a year disrupted by the impacts of the pandemic, we were looking forward to a return to our core role. Just as things were getting back to normal, Covid-19 struck again.

October was spent honing our skills in the synthetic environment. Best use was made of the Regimental VBS3 suite. Newly established in the gunnery wing, this facility offers the opportunity for Troops to practice low-level mounted drills. This allowed AJAX to hit the ground running when in the CATT the following week.

As we entered November, attention flicked to dismounted skills. This was cut short dramatically by the second national lockdown. AJAX came off exercise to deploy to Liverpool in support of mass asymptomatic testing. Accommodated in the now-infamous Pontins Southport, AJAX soldiers maintained their professionalism throughout the task. We established stations across the city providing the people of Liverpool with the facility to get tested. We were made to feel very welcome and received plenty of support from the public. What was initially planned as a ten-day task stretched on for five weeks. We were all grateful for Christmas Leave and the resumption of our tank training in the New Year.

This illusion lasted a week. Victims of our own success, AJAX were called upon again and took over the testing of hauliers at Manston Airfield in Kent. Accommodation was slightly better this time but working on the completely exposed airfield in January was a howling experience. Once again, the soldiers executed their duty with the highest levels of professionalism.

This left us with three weeks to prepare for Castlemartin Ranges. Considering two-thirds of the Squadron had not completed a tank live fire package, it was a daunting task. Naturally, the Squadron’s gunnery instructors rose to the challenge and delivered an excellent training event. We returned to the CATT twice more after Easter leave, while variety was injected to the programme with small arms ranges, adventurous training packages, and the resumption of sport.

AJAX will be battlegrouped with 1 Royal Welsh for Op CABRIT 10 in Estonia. Our first time to train together was supposed to be in Germany over the summer, but once again Covid-19 applied the brakes. Just as we were about to deploy to Sennelager, concerns over the Delta variant caused the exercise to be cancelled. While very disappointing, we knew we just had to be patient.

After summer leave, AJAX was validated to Training Level Bravo (Troop in a Squadron context) and brushed up on our dismounted skills. As I write, we look forward to our predeployment training for Op CABRIT 10. We will return to Castlemartin for a full three-week range package and join the Royal Welsh for a battlegroup exercise in the CATT in Germany. After Christmas, the battlegroup will re-deploy to Sennelager to be validated under Ex TALLINN DAWN. This will test our tactical skills and personal resilience in what will be sub-zero conditions. Come March, AJAX will deploy to Estonia, relieve DREADNAUGHT, and begin our deterrence mission.

BADGER UPDATE

Major Rory McCullough

BADGER at the World Rally Championships

It would be fair to say that BADGER Squadron have had a busy year. Having been warned off for Op CABRIT 8 in October, and after a CR2 range package in Wales, the Squadron deployed to Germany on Mission Ready Training in the New Year. Battling the elements and negotiating the dual frictions of COVID Force Protection measures and the BREXIT Custom changes was no small feat, but the Squadron linked seamlessly up with the 1 MERCIAN Battlegroup and performed superbly on Ex TALLINN DAWN.

The first two and a half months of a summer Op CABRIT is somewhat manic. The Squadron rolled from one major exercise into another to properly integrate with the Estonian Brigade and to become familiar with the ground that we would be operating in. A major element of this integration was getting Estonian conscripts familiar with defensive tactics, so ‘The BADGERS’, as christened by the Brigade were almost in constant use. Led superbly by Major Hartley, the Squadron’s ingenuity, guile and most importantly aggression saw countless engagements won and the increasing number of ‘Pausex’s to reset the enemy became a familiar, if slightly irritating feature of the exercises. As the following articles in the Journal will explain in more detail, operating in Estonia is certainly very different to Salisbury plain, Germany or BATUS. Fighting in woods, integrating with dismounts, and avoiding (mostly) boggy ground presented new challenges both for seasoned commanders and new. Combat Teams made up of Tanks and Armoured Infantry with a smattering of Engineers became the norm and whilst navigating was easy, maintaining situational awareness and then finding and defeating anti-tank teams under wet blankets became the main challenges for the crews. Tempo and momentum were critical, so exploiting opportunities however fleeting became the hallmarks of the Squadron. Estonia was certainly a formative experience for members of the Squadron. Presenting a whole raft of challenges and opportunities, without the real estate frictions and resource restrictions placed on us when operating in Tidworth, those that deployed have become masters in their field again. Some have now become absolute experts in Troop level recovery!

June saw a change in command of the Squadron as we bid farewell to Major Hartley who moved to the Collective Training Group in Warminster. Thankfully, after a range package in Latvia and a Sqn level exercise, we saw a slight lull in activity, so the Squadron were

CR2 flying past the LeClerc

able to try and explore Estonia. Members of the Squadron enjoyed Adventurous Training, took their Tanks to watch the World Rally Championships, enjoyed a ride in a WILDCAT helicopter as well as participating in National Day Celebrations. The Tanks were always the main attraction and we hosted both UK Ambassadors to Latvia and Estonia, the MP Bob Stewart and DCGS Lt Gen Chris Tickell amongst others. A highlight was the Amiens Day Tank Olympics. Members of the Squadron competed against Tankies from the 501 Chars de Combat, the paired French Unit to the RTR. Many of you would have seen the now viral video of the Challenger besting the LeClerc in the drag race. The day is discussed in more detail later in the journal.

September saw a marked increase in the number of black berets and familiar faces as DREADNAUGHT and the RTR battlegroup arrived ready for Op CABRIT 9. We wish them well and encourage the wider Regimental community to send care parcels to them as they battle through the Estonian Winter, whilst maintaining high readiness – no mean feat at all. The Squadron are now enjoying some wellearned post operational leave. We will return to work with BADGER Week; a series of cohesion events planned by Sgt Dicks that culminates in a formal Mess dinner, a march and shoot competition and of course Cambrai. In the new year we start Combat Ready Training, again with 1 MERCIAN. This should see the 1 MERCIAN Battlegroup conduct live firing in Wales before deploying onto Salisbury Plain in the early summer.

CYCLOPS UPDATE

Major Andy Pilsworth

OC CYCLOPS and OC AJAX at the entrance to Pontins

It has been another busy and demanding year for CYCLOPS, which has included a deployment in Liverpool to support the COVID-19 pandemic, Tank Ranges, Battlecraft Syllabus, a Potential Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre, Ex LONG RANGE and simulated training.

In November 2020, at very short notice, CYCLOPS were tasked to stand up a Squadron Group (with members of DREADNAUGHT) to deploy to Liverpool to conduct mass testing. This deployment saw the Squadron working to the King’s Royal Hussars Resilience Unit, housed in Pontins and delivering Asymptomatic Testing Sites around Liverpool Centre. The Squadron worked hard to get the Testing Sites fully operational and provided a professional and friendly service to the people of Liverpool. As a result, the R number in Liverpool reduced significantly from 300.4 per 100,000 on 6th November to 173.1 per 100,000 on 23rd November. This sharp reduction not only saved countless lives but enabled Liverpool to be classed as a Tier 2 at the end of the English lockdown. For their outstanding contributions to the deployment Captain Adam Morris and Staff Sergeant Robert Catterall were awarded 3* Commander Standing Joint Command Commendations.

Following this the Squadron headed off on a well-deserved Christmas leave, getting to spend some much-needed time with their loved ones. On return to work, CYCLOPS commenced gunnery training and prepared the tanks to a very high standard. With everything set, the Squadron deployed to Castlemartin for three weeks. With bad weather, as can be expected in early February, the Squadron were under pressure to get through all the shoots. But drive and determination saw CYCLOPS through, with every crew passing the Annual Crew Test and Annual Troop Assessment first time. At the end of the range package, Cpl Cundy’s crew were crowned ‘Best Crew’ and received a Commanding Officer’s Coin. After Easter leave the Squadron deployed out onto Salisbury Plain for the Battlecraft Syllabus to transfer their excellent gunnery skills onto a tactical scenario. Deploying out a Troop at a time, they took the opportunity to refine low level skills and manoeuvre. For many of the junior members of the Squadron, this was the first time they had slept out on a tank. Each crew gained a huge amount from being on the exercise, which they will take forward into Combat Ready Training next year. CYCLOPS delivered a Royal Armoured Corps Potential Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre, not just for those in the RTR but also the King’s Royal Hussars, Queen’s Royal Hussars and the Household Cavalry. This was one of the first of its type and proved very effective as the Regiments could pool their resources. The Cadre started with a week of instructional training in camp, followed by a test Exercise the week after at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Those that attended were put through their paces, with everyone learning a lot about themselves when in a command appointment and how best to work as a team. The Cadre was a huge success with Lt Seb Shimmings, who delivered the Cadre, receiving much praise from all those who attended.

CYCLOPS will be providing the Regimental Team for the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade Operational Shooting Competition, so the Squadron deployed to Lydd and Hythe Ranges to prepare. Lt Tristan Knight and Sgt Sean Barrett arranged a fantastic training package, which saw the Squadron firing rifle, pistol, throw grenades, conduct urban building clearance drills and culminated with force on force in the urban range using the Marker Round Training System (effectively paint

ball fired from a SA80 rifle). CYCLOPS had a fantastic time at Lydd & Hythe Ranges and the quality of the training delivered will certainly set the conditions for success at the Shooting Competition in November 2021.

Before departing off on summer leave, CYCLOPS conducted a week of simulated training at the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer in Warminster. Without the constraints of vehicle availability, the Squadron were able to build on what they had learned during the Battlecraft Syllabus. Initially operating at Troop level, CYCLOPS built up to Squadron level and the package finished with force on force, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The opportunity was also taken for non-Commander Corporals to gain some experience in the Commander’s seat, which should put them in good stead when they attend the Crew Commanders Course.

With the RTR Battlegroup now in Estonia on Op CABRIT 9, CYCLOPS will be standing up as the Rear Operations Group. During this period, the Squadron will be conducting Adventurous Training, Live Fire Tactical Training on Dartmoor Ranges in preparation for competing in the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade Operational Shooting Competition and a Battlefield Study to Israel. Following this CYCLOPS will start their training progression ahead of Combat Ready Training as part of the RTR Battlegroup.

Ex LONG RANGE – CYCLOPS conducting urban operations at Lydd & Hythe Ranges.

DREADNAUGHT UPDATE

Major Nick Stafford

The role fitness test prior to deployment

For DREADNAUGHT the last 12 months have been both extremely busy and extremely rewarding. The Squadron has made huge leaps in warfighting competency whilst getting to experience a large amount of what the modern Army has to offer – Live Fire Tactical Training, providing support to the civilian authority, Mission Ready Training, Adventurous Training, and Operations.

When I last wrote for TANK in September 2020, the Squadron was about to embark on a series of low-level Battle Craft Syllabus exercises on Salisbury Plain followed by a few weeks of training in the CATT. However, 36 hours into the first exercise and it was all change. The Squadron had to return immediately to camp, dump its equipment, and 24 hours later it was up in Liverpool, swabs at the ready, backfilling AJAX and CYCLOPS delivering Whole Town Testing. While it was incredibly frustrating to watch weeks of planning and preparation for exercise be destroyed in a single afternoon, and despite accommodation and food in the now infamous Pontins that made Knook Camp look glamorous, the Squadron cheerfully got on with supporting the national main effort. After a frosty reception, the cheerfulness and charm of the testing teams soon won over the local population.

After a short break for Christmas, DREADNAUGHT launched into 2021 with real intent. The task was simple yet demanding – complete all of the preparation for Mission Ready Training in just three months. The first job was getting the Squadron’s now slightly neglected vehicle fleet ready to fire while completing weapon handling tests and the synthetic training ready for CR2 live firing at Castlemartin Ranges (CMR). A firing camp on the Welsh Coast in February, with its charming weather, is a demanding undertaking at the best of times and February 2021 wasn’t the best of times. Immediately after arriving at CMR a stop fire notice for 120mm was imposed. However, whilst the Squadron couldn’t fire full bore, it could fire machine guns, and in spite of horizontal rain and hail it merrily set about completing the GPMG pintle shoots and scavenging some extra 7.62 to practise its coaxial machine gun firing. The conditions were challenging, with average cross-range wind speeds at 4060mph, but the crews became pretty good at aiming off. When the stop fire notice was eventually lifted on day 8, the Squadron’s crews were well worked up and threw every effort into completing their Annual Crew Test (ACT) and Troop Assessments in the remaining range time.. In the final reckoning, and despite having to send crews down for ACT in frankly appalling shooting conditions, the Squadron returned the most level 5 and 6s in the Regiment and only overran by half a day. After leaving half of the vehicle fleet with AJAX, DREADNAUGHT spent March with Troops rotating between field training on Salisbury Plain and small arms ranges, before the Squadron came together for a week of simulated training in the CATT. While this training progression was a compromise, with the Squadron level training conducted in the simulators rather than the field to enable the others to fire at CMR, it was absolutely invaluable preparation and allowed the Squadron to get most of its basic tactics, techniques, and procedures to a good standard. After the trials of CMR this period seemed to be going smoothly, but then the Squadron was suddenly notified that it would need to deploy its vehicle fleet, which was currently in use on Salisbury Plain and at CMR, to Germany…and the boat was leaving in 10 days’ time… Despite some late-night

equipment takeovers, a small mountain of maintenance and a slightly fraught SQMS(T), the Squadron got it done and rolled into some much-needed Easter leave.

Straight after leave, DREADNAUGHT was on the road again, this time bound for Mission Ready Training, Ex TALLINN DAWN, in Sennelager, Germany. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 it had been decided that the RTR BG would train for Op CABRIT 9 in Germany rather than BATUS. This brought advantages (the terrain in Sennelager is very similar to that of Estonia) and disadvantages (the training area is far smaller and puts constraints on CR2 Live Fire Tactical Training). The exercise was made up of two weeks of vehicle preparation and conceptual training, two weeks of simulated training in the CATT, and an 18-day field exercise which was split between Live Fire Tactical Training and a dry training exercise with TES (Tactical Engagement Simulation) equipment fitted against the OPFOR - Task Force Hannibal. The exercise was a great test for the Squadron which broadly had the upper hand over the OPFOR in the open spaces or whenever the OPFOR was found on the move, but really had to scrap hard in the close terrain. Despite its size, and therefore the limitations for live firing, the BATUS team’s imaginative use of the real estate delivered some excellent training and the TES phase in the close terrain was particularly useful preparation for Estonia.

After handing back the CR2 fleet in Germany, the Squadron returned to the UK for 10 days of isolation before heading up to Ashchurch to draw another fleet of CR2 for deployment to Estonia. The next few weeks offered up the classic Pre-Deployment Training experience of individuals conducting multiple courses in multiple locations simultaneously. This made for another busy period while the Squadron conducted vehicle conversion training and qualified individuals in a huge range of specialist skills, from team medics to chain saw operators. Despite the workload the Squadron still managed to conduct some fantastic Adventurous Training, with three offshore sailing expeditions setting out, 45 members of the Squadron sailing and windsurfing off Thorney Island and a few attempting to jump out of planes over Netheravon whenever the wind allowed.

As I write this, the Squadron is in the midst of deploying to Estonia. So, the next year looks set to be as busy, and rewarding, as the last.