Exercise CONGREVE SPEAR has seen soldiers from 26th Regiment Royal Artillery spend the five weeks on Salisbury Plain exercising in their new role as the Army’s Divisional Fires Regiment.

Previously a close support artillery regiment equipped with the AS90 they deployed on exercise for the first time since their return from Germany where they were comprehensively tested on their new weapons systems the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

With the intensity of the exercise progressively building from initial low-level training, through the Battle Craft Syllabus, to enhancing the soldiers tactical acumen the MLRS detachments faced a number of challenges designed to test their ability to operate as and respond to the demands of a Divisional Fires Regiment against a peer enemy.

Among these challenges was a serial to see how the MLRS crews would react and look to avoid detection by unmanned aircraft systems deployed by colleagues from 32nd Regiment RA.

As Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Kieran explained: “We have progressed from detachment level to a point at the end of the exercise where we have operated as a complete Regiment systematically testing our communications, sustainment and operating procedures; thereby enabling us to learn, redesign doctrine and concepts to reflect modern warfare.”

“For us this exercise has been vital in bringing the Regiment together and proving that we are ready to go and war fight in our role - it has been a real success.”

The exercise culminated with a General Officer Commanding 3(UK) Division, Major General James Swift and Brigadier Mark Pullan Commander 1 Artillery Brigade visiting to witness the Regiment’s capabilities in action.

OLD WARRIOR GETS NEW LEASE OF LIFE

A DINGO Scout car which had been standing outside the Household Cavalry Regiment barracks at Windsor for forty years has been lovingly restored by Lance Corporal of Horse Harry Day and Captain Piers Flay.

It is believed that the car may have been used by the regiment’s successors in Normandy and Arnhem and after 201 days work over three years the Dingo is now up and running and was taken to Arnhem for the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the battle.