Ex UNIFIED RESOLVE

February 2023 saw members of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG) BGHQ, supported by members of 3 RHA, 5 RA and The Royal Yeomanry deploy to Canadian Forces Base Kingston, Ontario on Ex UNIFIED RESOLVE 23 (Ex UR23), the Canadian Army’s largest computerassisted exercise. The aim of Ex UR23 was to conduct the certification and validation of the HQ of 5e GroupeBrigade Mécanisé du Canada and its constituent units. The QDG BGHQ deployed as a Deep Recce Strike (DRS) Battle-Group (BG), to provide FLANKCON acting as the 1st Canadian Division’s Deep Reconnaissance Force. With the formation of DRS in

Scribes: Capt Archie Selka and Lt Ollie McGuigian

October 2022, Ex UR23 provided an opportunity for the QDG to test and develop its ability to deploy as a DRS BG, prove the DRS concept as well as a preparation exercise for Ex WARFIGHTER 23-4.

Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Lieutenant Attachment (EMELt)

Scribe: Lt Ollie McGuigian

On completion of MSEC(L) in December 2022 I posted to 6 Armoured (Close Support) Battalion REME (6 REME), the Bn aligned to the new Deep Recce Strike BCT.

As a member of 14 Armoured Company, who provide QDG with their 2nd line support, I was given the opportunity to be attached to the QDG as an EMELt for Ex UNIFIED RESOLVE 23. This was an opportunity to see Recce, ISTAR and Strike units working together to prove the DRS concept from a simulation perspective which proved to be a huge success; although with lots of lessons learned and identified of course.

Throughout the exercise I was ‘BG Liaison Officer (BGLO) 2IC’ covering the G4 desk during the night shift, liaising with the

Metalsmith Bay

Canadian Divisional G4 team and managing all Log, ES and Med for the Battlegroup under the BGLO, Capt Selka. This was especially interesting following the DRS Sustainment Study Day, 2 days before we deployed to Canada.

The Study Day, hosted by 6 REME, was an opportunity for units from across the DRS BCT to come together to discuss and showcase how their unit operates and the challenges of sustainment. QDG in particular stood out for two reasons; due to being the only unit on Light Vehicles, their duration without resupply is much longer than an Armoured unit, and the fragility (or complete lack of) a Log and Med chain rearwards in their Deep Reece role. This set us up for success on the exercise as we understood our limitations, and looked to our higher formations for both Medical and Logistic support when required.

An insight into the Canadian REME, past and present

Scribe: Capt Selka

Whilst in Canada it would have been a travesty to not find the closest Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) workshop and see what it’s like ‘across the pond’. We found one a short drive from the simulation centre so during a lull in battle we went across to have a look around.

The current RCEME

The RCEME workshop was amazing. Hosted by their Chief Technical Officer, a WO1 equivalent, we were shown some incredible capabilities far beyond what we have in the REME. They had a drivethrough automated wash down, an indoor vehicle park for hire vehicles including snow mobiles, a Logistics Section, a large workshop with multiple lifts and two gantry cranes working on civilian and military vehicles side by side, individual issue full Snapon tool chests and workstations, a Metalsmith bay, a Tech bay, an Armourers workshop which included 3D printers, an industrial laser cutter and a ‘bullet catcher’ to allow the weapons to be fired in the armoury for testing once repaired. There was a full paint shop which you could fit a bus in, including a computerised colour scanner and paint mixer, and a textiles section with an embroidery machine. The scale and quality of their equipment was incredible; although it sounds like their workforce issues are worse than ours as the Canadian Armed Forces lower their entry standards on beards,

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DCCT equivalent

REME Cap badges over the years

piercings, tattoos and smoking cannabis (allowed on camp up to 8 hours before you are on duty)!

Although it was just a short walk around it was a fantastic visit and was fascinating to see the different way the Canadians deliver Equipment Support with military and civilian contractors working full time alongside each other in an Army workshop (similar to our Babcock ASTs and FMSTs but on a much larger scale). The capabilities they had were particularly interesting as their repair responsibilities were much wider, i.e. include painting and textiles, and made us ask ourselves whether we could, or should, be aiming to do the same.

The past RCEME

Once the exercise had finished those deployed were hosted by the Governor General Horse Guards (GGHG), the QDG’s Sister recce Regiment. This involved a visit to their base in Toronto and included an introduction to their recce vehicles, and for the officers, a night in a ‘cottage’ in the middle of nowhere next to a frozen lake the night before.

Whilst at the cottage we met a neighbour, Willy, who had spent his whole career in the RCEME and had some great stories. His Grandfather was a founding member of the REME and he showed us the original King’s crown cap badge, it’s replacement (as the original was too shiny!) and the Queen’s crown cap badge we all know so well, all from his and his Grandfather’s collection. It was really interesting to hear about the history of the Corps from a different perspective and if Willy ever comes across to the UK we’ll be sure to show him the REME Museum. All in all, the deployment to Canada both for the exercise and the RCEME insight was a fantastic experience and if you ever find yourself working with the Canadians, get to the closest workshop for a warm welcome!