After almost a year at the Regiment, the 4 new subbies, along with 2 soldiers from Maintenance Troop, and 3 soldiers from Signals Troop, were set to begin our week long ride course.

Somewhere within the foggy depths of late November, the soldiers of the Regiment hastily prepared for their annual Black Hat get-together.

Every posting season brings about a change in crews, as soldiers move to other squadrons or positions within the Regiment.

The year was 2016, and A Squadron was deploying to the cold and desolate land of Wainwright (again). The Squadron advance party arrived back in Wainwright to find that the Squadron’s tanks were encased in a cold sheet of ice and snow.

Well-fed and rested after the Thanksgiving Holiday, Recce Squadron re-deployed to Wainwright on 11 October to begin a manoeuvre exercise outside of the usual Wainwright Training Area.

At the end of September, the Regiment deployed on Exercise STEELE SABRE, an exercise designed to continue the Readiness training that culminated in the year’s earlier Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE.

Since spring 2015, I have had the pleasure of being one of the very few Strathconas representing the Regiment in the Siberia of Western Canada.

This year’s Exercise STEELE SABRE saw a well-honed B Squadron conduct a lot of meaningful training in a very short amount of time. You see dear reader; this exercise was also my first time back on the tanks in about 4 years!

During a time of PCF courses, concentrations and field preparations, members of Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadian) participated in Ex TOUGH CONTENDER 2016.

Once again Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) assembled their team for one of the most gruelling events of the year.

Every year, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) extends the invitation to all soldiers’ families to come out and have a fun-filled day of family festivities.

The Regiment shall, from time to time, host a business luncheon to invite members of the community, supporters, and Friends of the Regiment in an effort to bring together a forum for interaction and discussion.

Another fall training cycle is upon us, which means it is time for the Regiment to qualify soldiers in the art of gunnery on the Leopard 2 MBT.

On 29 August 2016, LCol Mark Lubiniecki held his first Commanding Officer’s retreat for the Regiment’s leadership. This served as a venue for important discussion on leadership, professional expectations, and future plans.

On 29 August, Recce Squadron deployed a small team to 3 CDSB Wainwright to qualify a new crop of nine C-16 gunners for the Regiment.

Another year has come for the 100 man Honor Guard for the Calgary Stampede and Spruce Meadows and in 2016 Recce Sqn, with attachments from across the Regiment, followed in the steps of this rich tradition.

Another successful Strathcona fishing trip has come and gone. This year has probably been the greatest year yet, with 25 participants – all eager for a shot at the coveted trophy.

Once again, Prince of Wales (A) Sqn spent its wonderful spring in beautiful Wainwright, Alberta with its Battle Group buddy 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (2VP).

On 23-24 April 2016, MCpl Cam Davidson and I travelled to New York City to attend the 9th Annual North American Mounted Unit Commanders Association (NAMUCA) conference.

On 24 May 2016, myself and MCpl Davidson attended the RCMP ride seminar in Ottawa, Ontario. There were 11 of us at the seminar and it was apparent from the beginning that we were clearly the best (and most humble) candidates.

The Basic Equine Riders Course, or BERC, is the program that must be completed to become a rider in the musical ride with the Strathcona Mounted Troop.

From 22 to 26 February this year, and following a challenging balance of tasks, courses and other requirements, A and HQ Squadrons conducted Exercise STEELE WINTER – a survival exercise designed to offer a good challenge of existing winter skills.

Usually at 0200hrs, troops want nothing more than to be anywhere but their Regiment. Friday at 0200hrs on February 26th 2016, however, was a different story for those showing up for their chance to travel to Texas.

As members of B Squadron woke up bright and early on the weekend of 20 February 2016, they awoke ready for two weeks of thrilling training in Fort Hood, Texas.