15th Field Artillery Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1997
as at 2 April 1997
Sub-units
31st Field Battery, RCA
68th Field Battery, RCA
Band of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Regimental Command Post Officer: Lieutenant Doug P Gayton
 
31 Battery
Battery Commander (BC): Captain Kent A Wickens CD
Promotions and Appointments
Master Warrant Officer JE McLelland CD appointed Regimental Sergeant Major.
19 Sep 97             Sergeant Robert G Wishnicki promoted Warrant Officer.
Sep 1997   Major Leon Jensen CD appointed Battery Commander Headquarters and Services Battery.
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Members deployed on Operations
OP MANDARIN - Support to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference
Sergeant Ian M Smith awarded Commanders Commendation for participation in OP MANDARIN.
Remembrance Day 1997
A beautiful Vancouver day, perfect for remembering all those that have sacrificed themselves for our country. Our usual saluting point, Portside Park echoes with the roar of the 21 round salute.
Salute Troop Commander - 
Salute Troop TSM - Warrant Officer Rob Wishnicki
#1 Gun Detachment Commander - Sergeant Donato Calogero
#2 Gun Detachment Commander - Sergeant Ken Chiu
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​Members Qualifications
27 Apr 1997         Unit SHARP Training
QL3 Artilleryman Course
Rear Row - Candidates Conrad Skuce,  Tym Spruston, 3, Timothy Sterkenburg
Front Row -  Master Bombardier Ollie Young, Master Bombardier Matt Gillies, Lieutenant Isaak Skuce, Captain Chris Byrne, Master Warrant Officer Jim Jacobson, Sergeant Rob Wishnicki, Sergeant Brian Holt
​Militia Command and Staff Course – 1996-1997                 
Major Leon Jensen CD completed the Militia Command and Staff Course (MCSC) in Kingston, ON after almost a full year of weekend dates at the Alberta Justice Institute in Edmonton, AB. It provided opportunities to meet fellow senior reservists from across the country and provided a forum to cajole more senior leadership to join with us in round table discussions.
Aug 1997              Qualification Level (QL) 6B Field Artillery Course Parts 1,2 & 3, Artillery Battle School, Shilo, MB
Sergeant Rob G. Wishnicki
Support to the US Navy​
The first picture indicated that the Band flew onto the USS Abraham Lincoln for a performance while the article clearly states the USS Constellation. Did the Band play on two aircraft carriers in 1997?
​Twilight Tattoo
…outstanding performance…the mass band portion of the Tattoo was extremely moving from the first notes of “Amazing Grace” to the last notes of the “Sunset Call.”…thank you and your fabulous musicians for their hard work and musicality….An awesome performance by your band…  Commanding General
​Canada Day/Armed Forces Day – Chilliwack
…very impressed by the high standard of dress of your soldiers and the quality of music… Base Comd
​CME Reunion Mess Dinner and 94th Anniversary Parade ….a very sincere thank you to you and to each member of the Band…very impressed with the excellent musical talent that lies within your Band…Your flexibility and talent showed us how seriously you take your duties…Chimo Commandant
Change of Command One One Six squadron
…outstanding performance…performance of the band was truly breathtaking and was no doubt the hallmark of a wonderful ceremony…the band played our National Anthem at a level I personally have never experienced. I will never forget that day and more important, your performance… 
​Change of Command Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 61
…superb performance…added the special touch to make this ceremony the best in the command’s history…your professionalism and dedication to duty…truly memorable…Thanks don’t begin to cover it…Always an honor and privilege to have your talented people with us… CO
​Willow Grove Naval Air Station 25 Year Anniversary
…spirit of dedication, professionalism and pride…accompanied by four deserving soldiers…The service that this Band performs for 39 CBG, LFWA and the Canadian Forces as a whole is extraordinary
​Letter from Public Affairs Officer
…colourful, entertaining and immensely appealing…a credit to the Brigade, LFWA and the Canadian Forces as a whole…I would welcome the opportunity to work with you again
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Opening Night
…wonderful performance…fanfares was an exceptionally exciting greeting of welcome…feedback we received was very positive and enthusiastic…fine musicians
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​Change of Command Support Squadron Three Zero …inspiring performance…your professionalism helped make the ceremony a very memorable and momentous occasion…Our gratitude and best regards to each member of the band…superb  job!
Commander
Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA)
The CFSA had been active in the Vancouver area for many years with its main supporters being 1 CER in Chilliwack. With the move of the Engineer Regiment, members of 39 CBG took up the slack and ensured that the club's main asset WINGS remained with the local club. Courses were run and several members of the Regiment became qualified.​ Two of our members were photographed on one of their weekend adventures. Captain Grayson McReady at the helm and ​Maj Leon Jensen waking up after a great night sleeping under the stars in the Gulf Islands.
Members Extra-Regimentally Employed
Former Members in other Reserve units 
Brigadier-General Stuart T McDonald re-enrols in the Primary Reserves, promoted to the rank of Major-General and appointed Chief of Reserves and Cadets at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, ON.
Jan – Sep 97       Major Leon Jensen CD G1 39 Canadian Brigade Group.
Former Members now in Regular Force
Captain Noel RR Dykes, CD Land Force Western Area Headquarters, Edmonton AB G1 Operations 2 (Responsible for all Board of Enquiries, Summary Investigations); Jun 97 Posted to Recruiting Zone West Headquarters, Edmonton AB employed as Recruiting Zone (W) Headquarters Operations and Liaison Officer.Captain Lee Hammond member Field Artillery School, Gagetown, NB.
Captain John P Pulchny Land Force Atlantic Area Headquarters, Halifax, NS.
Captain Dennis Rintjema Royal Canadian Artillery School, Gagetown, NB.
Master Warrant Officer Colin Norris Regular Support Staff Prairie at 78th Field Battery, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA in Red Deer, AB.
Warrant Officer Paul A Stewart Royal Canadian Artillery School, Gagetown, NB.
Sergeant George M Dempsey Fox Bty, 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Petawawa, ON.
Sergeant Chantale Grondin National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, ON.
Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess
 Annual Dinner 1997
Presentations take place immediately after the toasts with the Regimental Sergeant Major, Master Warrant Officer James Jacobson presents the Best Bombardier of the year trophy to Master Bombardier Matt Gillies. Sergeant Donato Calogero presents a departure gift to Sergeant Keith Laing on his transfer to 12 Service Battalion.
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The Brigadier DuMoulin Trophy
This trophy is awarded to the most efficient member of the Sergeants’ Mess as determined by the displayed rating system. It is awarded at the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants’ Mess Annual Mess Dinner for their activities in the previous year. The Regimental Sergeant Major, Master Warrant Officer James Jacobson presenting the Brigadier General Dumoulin trophy to Sergeant Rob Wishnicki as the most proficient Sergeant in the previous year. ​
Lists - The following pages contain additional information relating to the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Honours and Awards
Trophies
Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeants Major
Honoraries
Battery Commanders and Battery Sergeants Major
Band Appointments
Nominal Roll
Guns of the Regiment
Memorial Page