Recce Squadron Reaches the Final Stages of Exercise Desert Ram
Lt Tim Abbott, Liaison Officer, Recce Squadron, Task Force 3-09
Lt Tim Abbott, Liaison Officer, Recce Squadron, Task Force 3-09
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Lt Chris Wood and his patrol moves into position during the level 6 live.
Recce Sqn awaits H-Hour with the rest of the Combat Team during the level 5 live.
Capt Dave Lafreniere, Acting CO of the Windsor Regt, watches the level 5 range.
LCol Robert Brown and CWO Derek Munroe, Command Team of the Ontario Regt addresses 3 Tp.
I have talked to a number of members of the extended Recce Squadron family and they have told me that from reading the accounts of Recce Squadron’s progress throughout the training year, they have been able to follow closely with what their loved ones have been facing as they move from exercise to exercise. When we hit the half way mark for Exercise Desert Ram, the response was the same. “Static-y” voices during phone calls home told me that they were impressed with the training being conducted by Recce Squadron and their thoughts were with each and every one of the soldiers involved. This support is what has kept all of our soldiers going and as we reach the final days of Exercise Desert Ram, we have looked back at all that has been accomplished and are proud to almost be done the training.
After LCol Marty Frank, MWO Ron Whitehall and David Batten left Suffield and returned to Ontario, Recce Squadron quickly realized that they were on their last leg of the Exercise. Despite this fact, there was lots of work to complete before we could power-down. The ranges not only continued, but they escalated in complexity and the requirement for leadership at all levels was even more obvious. The three Recce Troops hardly ever saw each other, as they were spread all over the training area, attached to various Combat Teams. After the 3.5 live fire range wrapped up, the Troops moved onto the level 5 - Combat Team operations. Similar to the level 3.5, the Troops were attached to different Combat Teams and conducted very detailed operations and attacks against insurgent strongholds. All of those involved had important roles to play and Recce Squadron proved to play theirs well. The Squadron was often commended on the amount of info that was collected on each objective prior to any rounds being fired, making the Combat Team Commanders’ jobs much easier.
During the level 5 ranges, the Squadron was proud to receive a number of other visitors from back home in Ontario. LCol Robert Brown and CWO Derek Munroe, Command Team of the Ontario Regiment, visited for a few days in order to witness first hand the accomplishments made by their Reserve soldiers that have been with us since September. Capt Dave Lafreniere, A/CO of the Windsor Regiment also visited and was extremely impressed with his unit’s soldiers. Before their departure, our VIPs emphasized how impressed they were with how their soldiers had integrated into Recce Squadron. Each of them brought different experiences to the table and together we have created a team like no other.
After a week of Combat Team attacks, the training increased in intensity and the Recce Squadron was involved in level 6 operations - Battle Group (BG) level. Playing the important role of BG Recce, the Squadron was given a number of attachments, including a team from the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), engineers from 1 Canadian Engineer Regiment (1 CER) and many others. These attachments quickly became integral members of the Recce Squadron team and they were employed to their maximum potential. Commencing early in the morning, the BG started their operations and moved from objective to objective. Extending further than the level 3.5 and 5, the level 6 range included a number of additional objectives that ranged in complexities.
Late that evening, the level 6 ended and Recce Squadron had but a mere few hours to resupply and prepare for the level 7 dry (Brigade level) that would start in the early hours of the next morning. After an extremely organized resupply by MWO Kevin Mathers, Recce Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM), the Squadron moved into position to start the level 7, transitioning from BG Recce to Brigade Recce. We stepped-off a number of hours earlier than the remainder so that we could lay the framework that would ensure success. This final operation lasted until late that evening until we all heard the much anticipated words over the radio - “End-ex.”
After a well deserved sleep, the Squadron was up early this morning to start preparing vehicles for their long trip back to Petawawa. Kit is being loaded onto 53’ trailers for its trek to Wainwright and everyone is mentally preparing themselves for the week that they will soon have with their families. All vehicles are in the process of being signed-over to A Squadron so that they can start their own Road to High Readiness as Recce Squadron, TF 1-10. During a lull in the work, LCol Walsh paid the Squadron a visit to thank us for the hard work during Exercise Desert Ram. During his visit, he was proud to conduct a few promotions. Tprs Mike Rumleskie and Warren Tittle received their hooks, being promoted to Tpr Trained. Tpr Kiel Morton was advance promoted to Cpl in recognition of the success on his recent PLQ. These soldiers are just a few examples of the caliber that can be found within Recce Squadron.
Tonight, the soldiers of Recce Squadron will have the chance to wind-down at our end-Ex smoker, where we will have a few celebratory drinks. Tomorrow night will find us in Calgary and we will be home on Sunday the 10th, ready to spend some much deserved time with our loved ones. Exercise Desert Ram was a huge success and proved that Recce Squadron is ready for deployment. Exercise Maple Guardian will commence in less than two weeks in Wainwright and we are confident that it will end on a very high note!
After LCol Marty Frank, MWO Ron Whitehall and David Batten left Suffield and returned to Ontario, Recce Squadron quickly realized that they were on their last leg of the Exercise. Despite this fact, there was lots of work to complete before we could power-down. The ranges not only continued, but they escalated in complexity and the requirement for leadership at all levels was even more obvious. The three Recce Troops hardly ever saw each other, as they were spread all over the training area, attached to various Combat Teams. After the 3.5 live fire range wrapped up, the Troops moved onto the level 5 - Combat Team operations. Similar to the level 3.5, the Troops were attached to different Combat Teams and conducted very detailed operations and attacks against insurgent strongholds. All of those involved had important roles to play and Recce Squadron proved to play theirs well. The Squadron was often commended on the amount of info that was collected on each objective prior to any rounds being fired, making the Combat Team Commanders’ jobs much easier.
During the level 5 ranges, the Squadron was proud to receive a number of other visitors from back home in Ontario. LCol Robert Brown and CWO Derek Munroe, Command Team of the Ontario Regiment, visited for a few days in order to witness first hand the accomplishments made by their Reserve soldiers that have been with us since September. Capt Dave Lafreniere, A/CO of the Windsor Regiment also visited and was extremely impressed with his unit’s soldiers. Before their departure, our VIPs emphasized how impressed they were with how their soldiers had integrated into Recce Squadron. Each of them brought different experiences to the table and together we have created a team like no other.
After a week of Combat Team attacks, the training increased in intensity and the Recce Squadron was involved in level 6 operations - Battle Group (BG) level. Playing the important role of BG Recce, the Squadron was given a number of attachments, including a team from the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), engineers from 1 Canadian Engineer Regiment (1 CER) and many others. These attachments quickly became integral members of the Recce Squadron team and they were employed to their maximum potential. Commencing early in the morning, the BG started their operations and moved from objective to objective. Extending further than the level 3.5 and 5, the level 6 range included a number of additional objectives that ranged in complexities.
Late that evening, the level 6 ended and Recce Squadron had but a mere few hours to resupply and prepare for the level 7 dry (Brigade level) that would start in the early hours of the next morning. After an extremely organized resupply by MWO Kevin Mathers, Recce Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM), the Squadron moved into position to start the level 7, transitioning from BG Recce to Brigade Recce. We stepped-off a number of hours earlier than the remainder so that we could lay the framework that would ensure success. This final operation lasted until late that evening until we all heard the much anticipated words over the radio - “End-ex.”
After a well deserved sleep, the Squadron was up early this morning to start preparing vehicles for their long trip back to Petawawa. Kit is being loaded onto 53’ trailers for its trek to Wainwright and everyone is mentally preparing themselves for the week that they will soon have with their families. All vehicles are in the process of being signed-over to A Squadron so that they can start their own Road to High Readiness as Recce Squadron, TF 1-10. During a lull in the work, LCol Walsh paid the Squadron a visit to thank us for the hard work during Exercise Desert Ram. During his visit, he was proud to conduct a few promotions. Tprs Mike Rumleskie and Warren Tittle received their hooks, being promoted to Tpr Trained. Tpr Kiel Morton was advance promoted to Cpl in recognition of the success on his recent PLQ. These soldiers are just a few examples of the caliber that can be found within Recce Squadron.
Tonight, the soldiers of Recce Squadron will have the chance to wind-down at our end-Ex smoker, where we will have a few celebratory drinks. Tomorrow night will find us in Calgary and we will be home on Sunday the 10th, ready to spend some much deserved time with our loved ones. Exercise Desert Ram was a huge success and proved that Recce Squadron is ready for deployment. Exercise Maple Guardian will commence in less than two weeks in Wainwright and we are confident that it will end on a very high note!
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