
Lowland Reservists are currently mobilised in Estonia as part of Operation CABRIT. Contributing to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in the region, Op CABRIT sees British troops leading a multinational Battlegroup in order to enhance Euro-Atlantic security, reassure our allies and deter our adversaries.
Whilst British troops have been in the region since early 2017, the nature and need for readiness has changed dramatically since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
(Map Dated: March 2022)
Working alongside Danish, French, and host nation Estonian forces and other NATO allies, British troops are stationed in Tapa, eighty miles from the border with Russia.
The Royal Dragoon Guards (a Cavalry Regiment of the British Army) is currently leading the Battlegroup in Estonia and has fully integrated the Reservists who have been mobilised. We caught up with one such Reservist, Lance Corporal Sam Coughtrie, an Ayrshire lad, who is thriving on deployment and making the most of every opportunity.
Tell us about your background?
I’m a Reservist with Ayr Squadron, Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry (SNIY). I’m from Ayr and have been in the Reserves for nearly six years. When I’m not in uniform I work in the security industry as a door supervisor.
Why did you join the Reserves?
I joined the Reserves at the age of 17, just after I had started college. I was never great in a mainstream educational environment and I was getting really bored on my course, so I decided that joining the Reserves would break up the week and release a bit of that energy. I’ve never looked back and have totally flung myself into it. I’ve met thousands of people, travelled and had some amazingly unique experiences.
What do you like most about being part of A Squadron, SNIY?
I love how proud we are of both our regimental and squadron identity; you really feel like you’re part of something with a long and distinguished history. The regiment is also full of people from Scotland and Northern Ireland, so the banter’s pretty exceptional.
Is this your first mobilisation?
I mobilised for His Majesty The King’s Coronation, but this is my first tour. After receiving a promotion I decided I wanted to get some new skills and get my experience up, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
What’s the purpose of Op CABRIT?
We’re essentially a deterrent for Russian Forces so they can’t just step over the border. We’ve got various vehicles and armour that we maintain and train with to ensure we could be at the border very quickly if needed. As part of the NATO Battlegroup, we support the Estonian troops and work alongside them.
What does a typical day look like?
Up first thing for PT (physical training), spend an hour in the gym and then we head off for breakfast. After that we head down to the tank park to work on vehicle maintenance. If not that, we might practise dismounted skills (soldiering without using a vehicle) with some of the infantry boys who are out here too. They’ve been so helpful in bringing us up to standard and it’s great to learn from them.
I absolutely love the routine of the day, the opportunity to maintain my fitness, and the copious amounts of food. I get three square meals a day and can pop into the camp cafes any time, where I’m quite partial to the pancakes. If you’ve got free time you can also go into town and explore, so long as you stick to curfew.
Do you actively patrol the border?
No, our team doesn’t, as Tapa isn’t on the border itself. Our task is to be ready to deploy very quickly to the border if needed. We have been to the border during a training exercise, though. The residents were exclusively Russian speaking Estonians and that was pretty fascinating.
What do the Estonians make of your presence?
The people here are so stoic, so it’s hard to know what they’re thinking, but they’re constantly saying how pleased they are that we’re here. Many of them have done conscription so they understand the military and military ways. British troops have also been here for a while, so it’s not an alien concept, and they’re generally really supportive.
What are your Op CABRIT highlights so far?
It’s all been really good, but I loved Christmas dinner. We had big long tables, good food, a few beers and loads of laughs. Another highlight was getting to train in the trenches and wooded areas with the Gibraltar Regiment. It was super high-energy, but the skills gained were second to none.
A bizarre moment was sitting in the back of a Warrior tank with the lads when it was -15 degrees. Let’s just say a bit of spooning was necessary to keep warm, so that was a bit surreal. We did a Cold Weather Operator course, and that showed us how to survive in the field; including how to build a fire, a shelter, kill a chicken and cook it.
How well are the Reservists slotting in with the Regular soldiers?
There aren’t many of us Reservists out here, but we’ve integrated really well. Of course there are always a few competitive jokes between the Reservists and Regs, but so long as we’re doing the job, keeping up and showing them up, we’re all good. It’s a brilliant training opportunity for us Reservists because we can absorb so much knowledge from our Regular counterparts.
What do you miss most about Scotland?
Oh, that’s easy. The water! The water in Scotland is just so good, it tastes the best and there’s no limescale. Of course, it should go without saying that I miss my family and loved ones too!
Would you encourage other Reservists to mobilise?
Whether it’s for money, adventure, experience or skills, I would definitely encourage others to do a tour and mobilise. I would never have been to Estonia on holiday, but this way I’ve got to explore it and gained tons of friends along the way.
I’m really proud to have played my part in this Battlegroup. We’re always told we’re having a positive impact, even if we can’t see it at our level, and that’s all that matters.
Photo Credits:
Royal Dragoon Guards Facebook Page
MOD Crown Copyright
NATA Battlegroup Estonia Facebook Page