G-Wagons from an Armoured Recce Troop move to a
field firing range to conduct training.
Soldiers from an Armoured
Reconnaissance Troop
listen to a Range Safety
Briefing before beginning
a shoot.
Posted on 07/03/2007 4:03:30 PM PDT by Clive
Armoured Recce Troop gears up to deploy
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Project Number: 07-405
DUNDURN, Saskatchewan – Cold winds cutting across the prairie did little to dampen the enthusiasm of soldiers training for a deployment to Afghanistan with Task Force 1-08.
With snow in the west finally gone, units are now in full swing with their training. At Canadian Forces Detachment Dundurn, a composite troop comprised of soldiers from five Armoured Reconnaissance units has come together for full time training after months of weekend training.
"This week we're out doing live-fire section attacks, and live-fire with the C6 mounted on the G-Wagon. From the G-Wagon we're shooting at static and moving targets, both from a stationary position, and while on the move," said Captain Ed McGowan, the Troop Commander.
The troop, equivalent to a platoon in size, has drawn soldiers from The Fort Garry Horse, The Saskatchewan Dragoons, The South Alberta Light Horse, The British Columbia Dragoons, and The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own). All of the units are from the three Reserve Brigades (38 CBG Winnipeg, 39 CBG Vancouver, 41 CBG Calgary) in Land Force Western Area (LFWA).
"From here we'll be going to Shilo to do most of our training," stated Capt McGowan. "This is in preparation for when we hit the training cycle with 2 PPCLI (Second Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) in May."
Although a composite unit, there is already a strong sense of cohesion; most of the soldiers are senior members of their home units, and have already trained together numerous times during the last few years on courses and exercises.
Once in theatre they will be employed as an integral unit with strengths in convoy escort, as well as force protection, camp security, and other tasks as directed.
Captain McGowan's parting comment was a compliment to his troops, and a statement of confidence in their abilities, "They're a good crew and bring a lot of experience with them. They're already excellent at what they do, and with the additional training they'll be a great asset to the Task Force, and to their home units when they get back."
Article and photos by Sgt Dennis Power
G-Wagons from an Armoured Recce Troop move to a
field firing range to conduct training.
Soldiers from an Armoured
Reconnaissance Troop
listen to a Range Safety
Briefing before beginning
a shoot.
The reservists referred to in this August are working up for the February 2008 deployment.
The next deployment will be in August 2007.
The reservists referred to in this article are working up for the February 2008 deployment.
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