Royal Lancers take over from Royal Dragoon Guards on NATO mission in Poland
The Royal Lancers D Squadron has taken over from the Royal Dragoon Guards, Black Dragoon Squadron in the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) US-led Battlegroup Poland.
The Lancers now start their six-month stint integrating with allied NATO forces in support of Baltic security, against the backdrop of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
UK Armed Forces have a leading role in NATO's eFP in the Baltic States, in order to enhance Euro-Atlantic security, reassure allies and deter any adversaries.
The eFP in the Baltic States is a deployment of robust, multinational, combat-ready forces to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, on a lasting, rotational basis.
D Squadron is a reconnaissance specialist – light cavalry mounted on Jackal armoured vehicles.
Ahead of deployment, extensive training was carried out, finishing with Exercise Lucknow Lancer across the hills of southern Scotland.
Live-firing and close-target reconnaissance skills were honed, while using digital technology to call in fast-air support was also practised, the Army said.
D Squadron has operational experience in Afghanistan and Kosovo, preparing personnel to live and train with the US armoured battlegroup in north-eastern Poland, alongside Romanian air defence and under the Polish Brigade's command.
Major Taylor-Dickson, Officer Commanding D Squadron, said: "After an extensive year of pre-deployment training, we are looking forward to integrating with our NATO partners, physically understanding the regional terrain and supporting Poland in protecting their territorial integrity."
The eFP Poland is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Castilla, of the 3/8th Cavalry, who added: "I am really excited to see the Prince of Wales Troop in action and I am more excited to get to know their soldiers, who are the embodiment of UK determination."
The Army's King's Royal Hussars (KRH) formally took over from The Royal Welsh in leading the eFP battlegroup in Estonia in September.
It was the 11th rotation of UK troops there since the battlegroup's formation in 2017.
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