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Welsh Cavalry To Deploy To Sierra Leone

Picture: The Welsh Cavalry providing training in Kenya in 2014

Soldiers from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, nicknamed 'The Welsh Cavalry', are to deploy to Sierra Leone to train the nation's armed forces.

58 troops from the regiment's 'A' Squadron will spend three months in Africa on a peacekeeping mission.

Major Nick Garland, Officer Commanding ‘A’ Squadron, said: “All the soldiers are looking forward to the deployment. The training we will deliver will be as much a refresher as re-training.

“Like our own soldiers the Sierra Leonians need to be constantly prepared for operations. A regular cycle of training and operations develops experience and confidence across the team. "

"The lessons will be very practical with very little done in a classroom type setting.”

The soldiers will aim to develop the Republic of Sierra Leonean Armed Forces' (RSLAF) ability to carry out UN peacekeeping support operations, thereby contributing to internal and regional stability.

They'll at first focus on basic training including weapon handling tests, navigation, discipline, values and standards.

Soldiers from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards are to deploy to Sierra Leone to deliver Peace Support Operations training to the country’s Armed Forces.A 58-strong Short Term Training Team (STTT) from the Regiment’s ‘A’ Squadron will spend three-months training members of the Republic of Sierra Leonean Armed Forces (RSLAF). The long term plan is to develop the RSLAF capability of carrying out United Nations (UN) peacekeeping support operations and contributing to internal and regional stability. The Welsh Cavalry soldiers will deliver the training in three stages. The first stage will focus on the basic development of the RSLAF soldiers including weapon handling tests, basic navigation, Discipline, Values and Standards.Level 2 will focus on platoon level training including patrol skills, platoon and company battle drills. It will also include offensive, defensive and enabling actions including reconnaissance and ambushes.Major Nick Garland, Officer Commanding ‘A’ Squadron, is the officer who will lead the STTT. He said: “All the soldiers are looking forward to the deployment. The training we will deliver will be as much a refresher as re-training. “Like our own soldiers the Sierra Leonians need to be constantly prepared for operations. A regular cycle of training and operations develops experience and confidence across the team. The lessons will be very practical with very little done in a classroom type setting.”The Regiment is currently based at Robertson Barracks in Swanton Morley, Norfolk as part of 7th Infantry Brigade.
Posted by British Army on Friday, 19 February 2016

The British Army men will later impart platoon level training including patrol skills, platoon and company battle drills, as well as offensive, defensive and enabling actions including reconnaissance and ambushes.

They'll leave their Swanton Morely base in Norfolk next month.

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