"Northern Cavalry" Begin Poland Deployment

Troops from the so-called “Northern Cavalry” have begun their vehicle move to Poland.

The move is to replace colleagues who have just completed a six-month tour in the country in support of NATO.

‘B’ Squadron the Light Dragoons will be leaving their base at Gaza Barracks shortly to take up their place in Poland.

Major Dan Lenherr, Leader of ‘B’ Squadron, who has been on operational tours to both Iraq and Afghanistan, spoke of the challenges that the deployment would bring:

“First and foremost it will just be exciting to be able to take our people who have worked tirelessly to prepare for this operation.

"There will be the prospect of working with the different battlegroups, not only with the host Polish troops but also with Croatian and Romanian soldiers.

“The guys have performed exceptionally well but the challenges will certainly be working to a new chain of command.

"We will ensure that we develop the interoperability opportunities already identified by A Squadron who we are replacing.

“This is an opportunity for the troops to develop and create a more cohesive unit working closely with our NATO allies.

"That would life be without a challenge…it would be boring and it is what we have been trained to face.”

Corporal Gareth Beardshaw will start the six-month tour with the news that he will be promoted to Sergeant on arrival in theatre:

“Although I have deployed before to Iraq and Afghanistan, I haven’t been to Poland before and I am looking forward to it.

“It is an opportunity to work alongside other nations and stand side by side with our allies.

"As a troop sergeant I will deal with the troop’s administration, vehicles, equipment and maintenance.

“We are expecting it to be cold in Eastern Europe and though we will be based in a camp we also will be staying out with the vehicles when we are on our own troop-level exercises.”

It will be the first deployment for Trooper Dylan Moore.

Dylan joined the Light Dragoons in January last year as a driver on the Jackal and Coyote vehicles which will be accompanying them to Poland. He said:

“I am looking forward to the tour, and working with the other nations will be great experience.”