Troops from the Household Cavalry Regiment have just returned from a unique exercise in Gibraltar.
The Regiment are not just responsible for public ceremonial duties for which they are famous, they’re also deployable, highly-trained soldiers.
Troops have recently returned from the Regiment’s first exercise in Gibraltar, an opportunity to test, develop and enhance frontline skills in a new urban environment.
Exercise Daring Rock focused on Close Quarter Battle; operations in built-up areas and tunnel fighting tactics in the facilities the British Overseas Territory has to offer.
Under the Future Soldier transformation plan, the Army will be more global in its perspective, its operations and its partnerships, with more overseas deployments like this one.
More of the Army will be deployed across the globe more of the time, with the capabilities to operate alongside partners, and compete with adversaries. We will be present in the places which matter most to the UK, meaning we can better anticipate events and reassure our allies.
Members of D Squadron set up an observation post on the Rock of Gibraltar itself, making the most of the varied terrain on offer. Soldiers also volunteered to help restore one of the historic sites on Gibraltar – Lord Airey’s Battery; a defensive structure first built in 1898.
Second Lieutenant Carr-Smith said: “The facilities they have here on the Rock, particularly the tunnel system, which I don’t think you can recreate in the UK, is really unique. So we’ve come here to practise our close quarter battle skills in tunnelled environments.”
The armoured element of the unit is currently undergoing conversion to the new AJAX family of armoured fighting vehicles, under ‘Future Soldier’ they will become more agile, more integrated and more expeditionary, and ready for the next challenge
The Household Cavalry has a proud tradition of over three hundred years of service as a guard to the Monarch, and are known internationally for their State Ceremonial duties.
During the overseas deployment the Regiment also took part in a ceremonial event, when they were invited by The Governor of Gibraltar, Vice Admiral Sir David Steel KBE DL, to take over the guard duties from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment at The Convent, the official Governor’s Residence.