Headquarters Squadron Update

By Lt Marshall Douglas
January 2008

It seems that through the high tempo of training and operations, Headquarters Squadron has fallen short on the upkeep of the Regimental website. The previous HQ Sqn article is dated back to February 2006 and obviously since then, many things have changed. Since it is the New Year and resolutions are already abundant, the Sqn has resolved to keep its part of the website up to date.

HQ Sqn has spent the majority of last year supporting A, B and C Sqn’s pre-deployment training schedule. All available Sqn members were called out to provide support during training in Fort Bliss, Texas, and Western Area Training Center (WATC) in Wainwright. Maintainers spent countless hours in the rain, the cold, and the dark to ensure that all fighting and echelon vehicles were ready to roll through dry and live-fire training events. General Duty taskings were commonplace, especially in the fall, during Exercise Desert Ram and Maple Guardian. If a member in HQ Sqn were able, they would most likely be found in one area of Wainwright or another, assisting in the successful conduct of the large-scale training events.

HQ Sqn also played a huge role in conducting primary Combat Function (PCF) courses. Driver courses and support for gunnery courses trains our soldiers to function in the Sabre Sqns and allows those Sqns the ability to operate effectively in training and overseas deployments. HQ Sqn is planning and will conduct a Winter Warfare course later this winter and will deploy for several days for some practical training. Even though it is roasting hot in Afghanistan, we can’t forget how to live and fight in our own climate!

With the high tempo of training and operations, HQ Sqn has seen a very high level of personnel turnaround. We have received many young Troopers fresh from Gagetown and are expecting plenty more in the New Year. As quickly as they come to HQ Sqn, they seem leave just as quickly to the other Sqns. Although the turnaround seems high, HQ Sqn has established some continuity throughout its ranks. Each Section and Troop in the Sqn now has an officer and Warrant Officer, and many experienced soldiers. Many of the returning soldiers have found a home in HQ Sqn as they take a break from the operational side of the Regiment and have bolstered the Sqn’s ranks with highly knowledgeable and skilled members.

As HQ Sqn enters 2008, we will continue to do what we do best: support the fighting Sqns in their endeavors to deploy overseas. Our maintainers will continue to maintain our fleet of fighting and echelon vehicles, our Transport soldiers will endeavor to provide mobility, and our Family Support Troop will be planning a year’s worth of events for our families. Our cooks will be busy with supporting all of our planned events in the upcoming year. The QM and TQ have another challenging year ahead of them, balancing our books so to speak with Regimental vehicles and stores. HQ Sqn will continue to post articles and updates throughout the year. 2008 will be another busy year; however, HQ Sqn will pursue our goals with the Regimental motto at heart.

Perseverance