United colours of Cambrian: QDG and Austrians form first multinational team

Soldiers from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards and their Austrian armed forces counterparts have made Cambrian Patrol history.

They were one of two teams to field a combined patrol this year to take part in the gruelling and prestigious exercise.

This was the first time any dual-nationality teams had taken part in the 66-year history of the event.

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Exercise Cambrian Patrol started in 1959 as a march and shoot competition, but has evolved over the past six decades to include a number of challenging scenarios.

Patrols form up at an assembly area near Glynneath in Neath Port Talbot following a kit inspection at Maindy Barracks in Cardiff.

The soldiers then face the undulating, rugged terrain of Brecon Beacons.

They then get their orders and prepare for battle, setting off on a route that takes them through a mock war scenario, finishing at Sennybridge about 48 hours later.

More than 1,000 soldiers typically take part in the exercise, while another 350 staff help run it across eight different phases.

The soldiers face realistic missions including walking up to 40 miles, dealing with enemy attacks and other challenges.

One element of the quick attack phase this year saw the competitors carry out captured persons drills during the trench warfare serial.

Another involved putting on CBRN gear to react to a scenario where the soldiers had to detect, identify and mitigate a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threat.

CBRN clothing, including respirator, is worn over the uniform, not instead of it.

Even in cold weather it quickly becomes hot and uncomfortable when any kind of physical activity is involved.

Some 122 patrols took part this year, with 34 international entries including the two combined patrols.

The British contingent included Regular Army patrols, 12 from reserve forces and 18 University Officer Training Corps teams.

Cambrian Patrol illustrates how warfighting remains at the heart of the British Army.

It proves that basic soldiering skills are the cornerstone – and also shows the importance of junior leadership in the field against terrain and often difficult weather conditions.

:: With a long and distinguished history stretching back more than 300 years, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards is the cavalry regiment of Wales and the Border Counties, specialising in mounted reconnaissance.