Ex Royal Gunfighter
by Lt Andrew McCuish 2 Tp Ldr A Sqn
by Lt Andrew McCuish 2 Tp Ldr A Sqn
The Sqn then moved on to the fire power demo put on by 2 RCHA where mortars and M 777 were fired, showing the soldiers of A Sqn the effects of these weapons. From there the Sqn moved on to the next stand of “Crack Thump” where we were required to determine the type of ammunition fired over our heads. Following the completion of this stand the squadron moved back to C 103 to prepare for the “dirty” roll past of the Leliefontein parade.
The final task for Ex ROYAL GUNFIGHTER was the ambush stand where the soldiers of A Sqn walked 11 kilometres to establish an ambush on Taliban fighters attempting to cross the Pakistan border. The route and ambush sites were prepared by C/S 64C and I44 led the Sqn through rehearsals before stepping off. The Sqn was able to effectively avoid the enemy’s early warning system and ambushed the enemy without taking a single casualty.
Overall, Ex ROYAL GUNFIGHTER was an excellent way to finish our training in the Petawawa training area before deploying to California. The learning curve has been steep but the Sqn has been able to pick up many valuable lessons since our training began in early September. The Sqn is more than ready for deployment to California and ready for all future challenges.
The final task for Ex ROYAL GUNFIGHTER was the ambush stand where the soldiers of A Sqn walked 11 kilometres to establish an ambush on Taliban fighters attempting to cross the Pakistan border. The route and ambush sites were prepared by C/S 64C and I44 led the Sqn through rehearsals before stepping off. The Sqn was able to effectively avoid the enemy’s early warning system and ambushed the enemy without taking a single casualty.
Overall, Ex ROYAL GUNFIGHTER was an excellent way to finish our training in the Petawawa training area before deploying to California. The learning curve has been steep but the Sqn has been able to pick up many valuable lessons since our training began in early September. The Sqn is more than ready for deployment to California and ready for all future challenges.
Ex ROYAL GUNFIGHTER marked the first time working as a part of 1 RCR Battle Group and the end of training in the Petawawa area before Ex CALIFORNIA BEAR. The exercise began with the live fire stand with I13, E32A and I44 as a part of the A Sqn Cbt Team. This was an excellent opportunity for the soldiers of A Sqn to see what exactly our Infantry and Engineer brothers are capable of doing in close quarters. Throughout the stand the Sqn moved through four complex objectives where live fire and VPS were conducted.
Following the successful completion of the live fire stand the Sqn prepared for their next task of establishing outer cordon security for O Coy move into the objective. This was another opportunity where the Sqn was exposed to assets which will be utilized on TF 1-10. The move up to the objective was led by EROC assets which moved at a maximum of 15 km/h while sweeping the route. Once the route was swept A Sqn moved in to establish the outer cordon and set the conditions for O Coy move into the objective. The Sqn also had the opportunity to work with C-IED and to see how one IED, find or strike, can completely change the mission.
Following the successful completion of the live fire stand the Sqn prepared for their next task of establishing outer cordon security for O Coy move into the objective. This was another opportunity where the Sqn was exposed to assets which will be utilized on TF 1-10. The move up to the objective was led by EROC assets which moved at a maximum of 15 km/h while sweeping the route. Once the route was swept A Sqn moved in to establish the outer cordon and set the conditions for O Coy move into the objective. The Sqn also had the opportunity to work with C-IED and to see how one IED, find or strike, can completely change the mission.
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