1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, also known as The Welsh Cavalry, have completed essential marksmanship training as part of ensuring their combat readiness.
Soldier on Warcop Training Area during a live fire exercise.
Soldier on Warcop Training Area during a live fire exercise.
Soldiers on Warcop Training Area during a live fire exercise.
Soldiers on Warcop Training Area during a live fire exercise.
Soldier on Warcop Training Area during a live fire exercise.
Soldiers on Warcop Training Area during a live fire exercise.
Soldiers from the regiment’s B and C Squadron deployed to the ranges in Warcop, Cumbria to practise firing drills across multiple positions, from prone to standing stances.
The aim was to fine tune their marksmanship, developing and maintaining accuracy and muscle memory.
Every soldier needs to be able to shoot and shoot well - that's why this training is essential. Every shot you take on the range builds the skills that could save lives when it counts.
Trooper Alan Fayle said: “Every soldier needs to be able to shoot and shoot well - that's why this training is essential. Every shot you take on the range builds the skills that could save lives when it counts.”
His Army career began at 30, when he decided to leave his demanding career as a chef. "I was working 50-60 hours a week and had grown tired of it," he explains. "Joining the Army was something I'd always wanted to do."
He's found his new military career rewarding both personally and professionally. "It's a friendly regiment—we all get along well and there's real opportunity to travel and develop. I've been to Poland on Operation Cabrit and California on Exercise Diamond Back."
Range Conducting Officer, Second Lieutenant Ivan Hanbury, joined the regiment three weeks ago. He said: “It’s important to get time on the weapons. We have done a whole week’s shooting which has given the soldiers plenty of time to get rounds down the range. From the start to the end, you can see a massive improvement.
“Some people won’t have fired a pistol before, others may not have fired a pistol in a few years, so skill fade happens. To be lethal on operations you need to be able to do this, so these ranges are really beneficial.”
Range training is the foundation of military readiness - it's where individual marksmanship skills are developed, and team effectiveness is built.
Major Steph Shallow, Officer Commanding C Squadron, said: "Range training is the foundation of military readiness - it's where individual marksmanship skills are developed, and team effectiveness is built.
"When we fire our weapons, we're not just putting rounds down range; we're building the muscle memory and confidence that could save lives in operational environments. But equally vital is what happens between the shots - the communication, the coordination, and the trust that develops when soldiers work together under pressure.
"From individual skills to pairs fire and manoeuvre, through to section drills, the range teaches us that good shooting and good teamwork go hand in hand.
“Every shot fired reinforces not just our marksmanship, but our ability to work as a team where clear communication and mutual support become automatic. This is where we transform from individuals with weapons into an effective fighting force."
The continuous training cycle that also includes shooting from Jackals (armoured vehicles) ensures the squadron can maintain its operational capability and respond rapidly to emerging threats.
The SA80 Individual Weapon and pistol are just two of the pieces of equipment held by the Regiment. Other weapons include Grenade Machine Guns (GMG), Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) and General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) that are all operated from a Jackal. The Jackal is the Regiment’s primary vehicle, ideal for its reconnaissance role due to its mobility, robustness, speed, and manoeuvrability.
Each weapons system serves a specific tactical purpose: The HMG is effective against light-armoured vehicles, aircraft, and personnel. The GMG is capable of firing high-explosive rounds whilst the GPMG is typically positioned in front of the commander’s seat on the Jackal and is standard crew protection.
