Recce Squadron Supports Exercise WAR FIGHTER in Fort Bragg, North Carolina

By: Lieutenant Shaun Rogozinski

It was the standard frosty Canadian morning on April 1st when members representing all major units from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1CMBG) met to board a mighty CC-150 Polaris aircraft destined for the great state of North Carolina where 60 000 American Warriors call Fort Bragg home.  Our friends from the 82nd Airborne Division (Yes, an entire DIVISON of them, think of PPCLI’s Jump Company times a million supported with Apache’s) extended us an invitation to be involved in a computer generated battle simulation known as Exercise WAR FIGHTER 14-04 (Ex WF).  This Divisional level Ex was made to challenge the Division and Brigade HQ’s in a dynamic and highly challenging scenario.

Recce Squadron was given two spots to fill within the unit level response cell.  Both of these positions were as the Officer Commanding Recce Squadron with one for the day and the other the night shift.  When push came to shove it came down to Captain Jack “Sparrow” Nguyen as the daytime decision maker and Lieutenant Shaun Rogozinski with Task Force Night Shift.  Together these two newly minted OC’s formed an impenetrable and mighty screen that no enemy could break.  Recce Squadron was capable of conducting all of its tasks and was a vital component of the Brigade’s huge success in the eyes of our American brothers.  If every Canadian soldier could take away one thing from this Ex it would be that 1 CMBG, with Recce Sqn Leading, was consistently Commanding General Major General John Nicholson’s Main Effort through every phase of his operation.  This speaks volumes to the professionalism and competency shown by all throughout the Ex and has positively influenced our relationship with the United States Army.  Actually, those North Carolina BBQ steak tips were absolutely amazing.  Yeah, the steak tips are what people will remember most… or maybe the corn bread?