SABOT, LAZE, TANK, ON!
Double click to edit
On completion of the Course shoots, the remainder of C Squadron moved out to the range on Saturday, 15 January to begin preparations for a Family Day Fire Power Demonstration. The Squadron was both honoured and excited to have members of their families as well as members of the Atlantic Chapter of The Royal Canadian Dragoons Association, the “Old Guard”, in attendance. Maj Pires, Officer Commanding C Squadron, and MWO Hebert, C Squadron Sergeant-Major welcomed the crowd and thanked them for enduring the bitter cold Gagetown had provided. Following the introduction, Capt Maerz, C Squadron Second-in-Command, introduced the families to the most familiar component of military life - the range safety and conduct brief. With the stage set, WO Corbett, C Squadron Operations Warrant, led a troop through Sabot, HESH, CO-AX, and smoke shoots, concluding with a Leopard stab run. The families of C Squadron eagerly watched as their soldiers showed off their highly developed skills. The Family Day was a great success and was topped off with a Squadron photo featuring its immediate and extended family members, close friends and the “Old Guard”. The families then enjoyed a BBQ provided by the SSM’s canteen before boarding the bus back to Base.
After their families had left the firing pad, the Squadron carried on with the Continuation Training Gun Camp. Newly qualified gunners were able to further hone their most recent skills, while the more seasoned gunners were able to get some much desired practice. Despite the freezing temperatures, morale was high as shoots continued into the night. The next morning saw even colder temperatures however the Squadron soldiered on, completing their final troop level battle runs. In a mere three and a half days, C Squadron: confirmed its tank gunnery skills at both the crew and troop level, gave their families a glimpse into their work life, maintained their link with the “Old Guard”, and continued to forge a strong future as the Army’s newest Leopard Tank Squadron.
“Bold and Swift”.
After their families had left the firing pad, the Squadron carried on with the Continuation Training Gun Camp. Newly qualified gunners were able to further hone their most recent skills, while the more seasoned gunners were able to get some much desired practice. Despite the freezing temperatures, morale was high as shoots continued into the night. The next morning saw even colder temperatures however the Squadron soldiered on, completing their final troop level battle runs. In a mere three and a half days, C Squadron: confirmed its tank gunnery skills at both the crew and troop level, gave their families a glimpse into their work life, maintained their link with the “Old Guard”, and continued to forge a strong future as the Army’s newest Leopard Tank Squadron.
“Bold and Swift”.
Copyright 2012 Royal Canadian Dragoons, All Rights Reserved
After a much enjoyed Christmas leave, the members of C Squadron spared no time getting back to business: completing a Leopard 1 C2 Gunnery Course, a Family Day Fire Power Demonstration, and a Squadron Continuation Training Gun Camp. All in under a week.
Following gunnery simulator refresher training, the 13 students of C Squadron’s Leopard Gunnery Course moved to Firing Points 4 and 5 on 12 January to complete their confirmation ranges. The Gagetown weather was as unpredictable as ever forcing the students and staff to tolerate snow, rain, heavy fog, and freezing temperatures in order to complete a highly successful basic gunnery course. Under the direction of the Course Officer and Course Warrant Officer, Lt Delmonte and Sgt Rheaume, all 13 students successfully completed their shoots and C Squadron received its newest batch of highly capable tank gunners. The competition for Top Candidate was hotly contested and culminated in a dead even tie between Cpl McQueen and Tpr Carey. The two candidates finished with the exact same scores on both their theoretical and practical tests which lead to a shared title of Top Candidate.
Following gunnery simulator refresher training, the 13 students of C Squadron’s Leopard Gunnery Course moved to Firing Points 4 and 5 on 12 January to complete their confirmation ranges. The Gagetown weather was as unpredictable as ever forcing the students and staff to tolerate snow, rain, heavy fog, and freezing temperatures in order to complete a highly successful basic gunnery course. Under the direction of the Course Officer and Course Warrant Officer, Lt Delmonte and Sgt Rheaume, all 13 students successfully completed their shoots and C Squadron received its newest batch of highly capable tank gunners. The competition for Top Candidate was hotly contested and culminated in a dead even tie between Cpl McQueen and Tpr Carey. The two candidates finished with the exact same scores on both their theoretical and practical tests which lead to a shared title of Top Candidate.