Fast, adaptable and leading from the front
The Light Dragoons is a light cavalry regiment in the Adaptive Force. It used to be fast horses that helped these multi-skilled soldiers to cover the battlefield quickly – today it’s the Jackal 2 armoured vehicle.
Active from:
1 December 1992
Role:
Light Cavalry
Specialism:
Reconnaissance
Every soldier in the Light Dragoons is trained to use the Jackal 2 armoured vehicle, but they’re just as capable at operating on foot. These light cavalry troops also have expertise in a wide range of weaponry and communications equipment.
- Driving a Jackal 2 armoured vehicle
- Firing heavy and grenade machine guns
- Communicating with radios
- Gathering and passing on intelligence
- Commanding from the front
- Making judgement calls in tough situations
Past deployments:
- Operation Newcombe (Mali) - 2020
- Operation Cabrit (Poland) - 2017, 2018, 2020
- Operation Toral (Afghanistan) - 2018
- Operation Althea (Bosnia) - 2014
- Operation Herrick (Afghanistan) - 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
- Operation Telic (Iraq) - 2003, 2006
Soldiers in the Light Dragoons are mainly recruited from the North of England, earning them the nickname ‘England’s Northern Cavalry’. They have a well-earned reputation for being independent, resourceful and tough.
- Lt Col Tom Robinson - Former Commanding Officer
- Corporal Burnside - Crew Commander
- Trooper Taylor - Operator
Since 2015, the Light Dragoons has been based at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.
Get DirectionsThese light cavalry soldiers are tasked with preparing the way for the rest of the force. They are out in front carrying out many different roles, from scouting for information to engaging enemy targets.
They use Jackal 2 fighting vehicles and other tactical, lightweight equipment to deploy anywhere in the world – often at short notice. And the wide range of operations they tackle means they get to make use of their diverse skills in times of peace and times of conflict.
I want to be leading the way.
Past to Present
The Light Dragoons was first raised in the middle of the 18th century and quickly became noted for their scouting expertise and courage. Since then, the regiment’s reputation has grown through the key role it played in high profile deployments, from the Napoleonic Wars to World War II.
The 15th Light Dragoons becomes the first ever light cavalry regiment.
Three antecedent regiments are present at the battle of Waterloo.
At the Normandy landings, 13/18th Hussars are the first Allied tanks to land on French soil.
The Light Dragoons are formed and immediately deploys on constant operations in the Balkans.
The regiment deploys twice to Iraq and four times to Afghanistan.
The Light Dragoons becomes the first modern Light Cavalry regiment, deploying on operations to Afghanistan, Bosnia, Poland and Mali.
List of equipment used
Jackal 2 is a high mobility weapons platform, with a unique air-bag suspension system allowing rapid movement across varying terrain.
Extra two wheels gives a heavier vehicle, which can act in support of the Jackal 2 to transport supplies and equipment over similar terrain.
Weighing 7-tonnes, the Panther is air transportable and can be underslung beneath a Chinook helicopter.
The powerful L1A1 12.7mm (.50) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) is an updated version of the Browning M2 Fifty-cal.
The GMG is usually mounted on WMIK Land Rovers but can also be used from ground-based tripods.
Contact Us
Telephone: 01748 872801
Address: Gaza Barracks, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, DL9 4AU