Royal Dragoon Guards - Operational Deployments

Operational Deployments

The Royal Dragoon Guards has served in a variety of roles and theatres since its formation. Historically Dragoons were flexible soldiers, who fought on and alongside their mounts; this is something the Regiment has been called upon many times to do.

Northern Ireland

In February 1996, 3 Squadrons of The Regiment deployed to Northern Ireland as part of Operation Banner, the UK military support to the Civil Authorities in The Province. 2 Squadrons were employed as Infantry in Belfast and the third acted as a prison guard force at the infamous Maze Prison.

Balkans

In the winter of 1997, A Squadron, RDG, deployed with their Challenger 1s tanks to Barice in Bosnia (Op Lodestar) with the 9th/12th Lancers Battle group. They were subsequently moved Mrkonjic Grad and were employed, primarily in Land Rovers, to monitor former wartime factions and inspect cantonment sites.

UK

In early 2001 The Regiment deployed as part of Operation Frescoe (Zulu) to Cumbria and Yorkshire, with specialist Royal Navy teams, to provide emergency fire and rescue cover when the Fire Brigade was carrying out a program of industrial action.

Iraq

The Regimental Battle Group deployed to Iraq in 2004 (Operation Telic 5) and assumed control of the area south of Basra City to the border with Kuwait. The main tasks were to mentor the newly formed Iraqi Police Force and provide security for the first presidential elections in the country since the US led invasion in 2003.

The Regiment deployed again to Iraq towards the end of the United Kingdom's combat operations in 2007 (Op Telic 11), this time its Main Battle Tanks and Warrior armoured fighting vehicles were called upon to support Iraqi led efforts to re-impose control in Basra (Operation Charge of the Knights). During this Operation Sergeant CP Richards was awarded the Military Cross for outstanding leadership and gallantry in the face of the enemy. As commander of the lead tank, working for Left Flank Company Group, Scots Guards Battle Group, he deployed on a joint arrest operation with Iraqi Security Forces in Al Quiblah, Basra. He fought his way through 5 improvised explosive device detonations, showing courageous restraint to minimise any civilian casualties, onto the target.

During this deployment Squadrons from The Regiment assisted the Iraqi Border Agency to provide security on the Border with Iran and mentored Iraqi Army Units.

Afghanistan

The Regiment deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2010 (Operation Herrick 12) to assist in bringing stability to Central Helmand and to provide security for the countries second Presidential Elections. Squadrons from the Regiment provided protected mobility support in the Mastiff (also known as Cougar), Viking (Bv 206), Ridgeback and Warthog armoured vehicles and held ground in Nad Ali District Centre following Op Moshtorak. Tasks of these squadrons included: providing route security, assisting in reconstruction work and clearing insurgents from southern Nad Ali. The regiment had four men killed in action during the tour. Acting corporal Mathew Stenton, one of those killed, was posthumously awarded the Military Cross for bravery. As a Viking commander he moved his vehicle forward to engage insurgents to assist in the evacuation of a friendly casualty, his citation reads: “A/Cpl Stenton’s gallantry was of the very highest order and he made the supreme act of self-sacrifice to save a comrade’s life”

The Present

The Regiment is currently in Southern Afghanistan which they Deployed towards the end of September and Early October 2012. Operation Herrick 17.