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Royal Yeomanry return from NATO operation in Poland

The Royal Yeomanry troops have been providing the reconnaissance capability to the United States 2^nd Cavalry Regiment Battlegroup in Poland as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP). The presence exists to enhance Euro-Atlantic security, reassure the UK’s allies and deter potential adversaries.

Soldiers on exercise during Op CABRIT

The Deputy Commander Field Army, Major General Celia Harvey, visited some of the soldiers at Carlton Army Reserve Centre as they demobilised from Operation CABRIT, ahead of returning to their civilian jobs.

Congratulating them on their achievements she said: “It’s great to have you back and you can be proud of your achievements and success. Being part of the Enhanced Forward Presence is vital in demonstrating NATO’s intent and capability. You have had a hugely positive impact; your work has been recognised and praised by your key partners on the operation; Poland and the United States. A very well done and thank you to you all.”

Major General Celia Harvey at Carlton Army Reserve Centre

Royal Yeomanry Reserves take the lead

The Reservists were joined by soldiers from their paired unit, 1^st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG), who together formed the light cavalry reconnaissance component of the 7^th Infantry Brigade deployment. It is the first time Reservists have led a combined unit like this, en masse. Supporting them on the winter deployment were Reservists from 103 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (103 Bn REME).

They took part in multi-national training exercises including Exercise SOBIESKI, which was a combined arms live firing training exercise involving fixed and rotary wing aircraft, artillery, air defence and mortars.

The troops also completed a cold-weather operators course that saw them building shelters out of pine and birch. They also took an ice-cold plunge into a lake to learn about cold-water shock, managing hypothermic conditions and practising re-warming techniques.

Royal Yeomanry on exercise in the Polish countryside

The six-month deployment saw 16 soldiers overcome the snowy conditions and freezing temperatures to complete a Potential Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre for promotion from Trooper to Lance Corporal.

The Commanding Officer of the Royal Yeomanry, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Bragg said: “I am very proud of what we have achieved. To have gone out to Poland and to deliver to the high standard that they have, demonstrates the expert level of capability the Army Reserve can offer and how they can be used as an integral part of the delivery of defence outputs world-wide.”

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