Exercise STEELE REVOLVER

Tpr Friesen, 2nd Tp, Recce Sqn
6 April 2009

 

As the weeks rolled by, Recce Squadron found a way to get all of the fighting vehicles up and running at full force. The young Troopers and Corporals spent long days prepping these machines for some hard miles that they were to endure in the upcoming months.

 

Another brisk morning at the Squadron lines had all the TUA and Coyotes kitted up for a road move down to CFB Wainwright. Along the way, we conducted a series of traffic control points (TCPs) to control the movement of vehicles and personnel. This was done to prevent delays and congestion and to ensure that movement priorities were kept.

Once all the troops arrived at CFB Wainwright, they conducted the last portion of their TOC (25mm) and TUA gunner courses out on Range 16. The 25mm consisted of static shooting, shooting on the move and a spectacular night shoot with Cpl Jeremy Charlton ending up as the Top Candidate. As the 25mm reined APDS-T rounds down range, we also had 48 tube-launched optically-tracked wire command-link (TOW) missiles obliterating targets at a max range of 3750m. With the troops hitting the better of their targets, it seems that the officers could use a little more practice in the TUA simulators before they come out for round two. Recce Squadron also ran a LAV III D+M course with Cpl Mathiew Dube as the Top Candidate.

 

After all the shooting was said and done, a zone reconnaissance was held the following day with all of 42s call signs ending up stuck on the LD in the endless amount of snow. Eight wheel drive or not, these vehicles can only do so much.

Now it was time for us to head down to CFB Suffield for the last portion of Ex STEELE REVOLVER. On the way, we conducted a route reconnaissance that consisted of lateral drills, bridge drills and defiles. Along the way, the good people of Hanna allowed us to stay the night at their community centre where we held a vehicle display showcasing our array of AFV and small arms weapons. Those who came for the show were able to traverse the Coyote turret and check out how effective the TUA thermal sights were. Later that night, some of us attended a hockey game where the local Hanna Colts played an out of town rival.

 

Next stop, CFB Suffield. Upon arriving to the camp that HQ Sqn so generously setup for us, we thought to ourselves how cold and windy can it really get out here? Very windy was the answer. With the end of the 2008 fiscal year approaching, BFT’s were in order. A 13km rucksack march and a 100m fireman’s carry were completed on the last day of exercise.

On April 7th we will be heading back to Suffield for Exercise DESERT RAM for one month, which I can guarantee everybody from 1 CMBG is looking forward to.