Ex Caustic Shock 2001
NEWS FROM THE REGIMENT
(By Lieutenant D.P. Gayton, CD)
Exercise CAUSTIC SHOCK, an annual evaluation effort conducted under the auspices of WATC ADS (Western Area Training Centre, Artillery Detachment Shilo) was held at the Home Station 23-25 March 2001. Because the Regiment's guns and prime movers have been grounded and a new radio system is being installed in our other vehicles drastic measures were undertaken.
The Regiment deployed to CFB Shilo Friday evening (23 Mar) via commercial air carrier. We landed in Winnipeg and suffered our first shock crossing to the bus awaiting us ....frigid. After a windy yet dry trip to Shilo we were housed in the still standing L101, grabbed two hours sleep before reveille (0400 BC time), a quick meal in M101 and then yet another eye opening trek to the gun park. Our Advance Parry comprising the BC, Captain McCready, WO Comars, WO Lum, MBdr Gee and Bdr Ouellette had signed for the entire Battery stores and arranged for all further activities.
The Safety Briefing of the Battery, minus all those required to attend the Calibration Point, moved to a Prepare for Action position near Wood Hill. Recce, having calibrated director heads and compasses, prepared a position for occupation between Trig Wye and Tele at the intersection of Casino Road and Gopher Trail. This position proved most suitable with a CofA of 1900, while the two FOO parties and the BC's party occupied Sugar.
The first of 300 rounds went down range at 1035. Sgt Chiu's detachment provided the first adjustment with the second going to Sgt Johnson's (borrowed from 26th Field-Brandon) detachment. The remainder of the morning and early afternoon was occupied with AN (Area Neutralization) Missions, sorting out ammo drops, and learning all about the new environmental clothing - the IECS.
The variety of items in this new clothing system coupled with the old mukluks, circa 1935, certainly did the trick in the cool spring of Shilo. Temperature low was -22C (8 below zero F) and that coupled with a breeze, which started in Regina and picked up speed moving east, provided a new learning experience for many of the Lotus Land Gunners. Some of our members were able to provide assistance in sorting out the new kit due to experience with SFOR (Stabilization Force) on Exercise LIMBER GUNNER held one week earlier in Shilo.
New Hayboxes have been introduced to the system as well - and they really work! We had hot rations prepared in the Home Station kitchens and catered directly to the Gun Line. Gun seconds-in-command MBdr Gee and Tennant were busy ramrodding the activities of the troops through reduced detachments as MOLAR (Quartermaster) WO Lum assisted by Pte Sutherland arrived on position. This was WO Lum's final exercise with Guns. His high standard
of care and attention to detail will be missed immensely.
Throughout the FOO parties, consisting of Captains Watts and Purcell, MBdr Erickson and Bombardiers Campbell and Spruston kept lively fire missions on-going under the watchful eyes of Capt McCready.
Recce, meanwhile, continued to prepare positions including a Day for Night ( Ed's note: "Day for Night" is the MAX recce wherein director heads are set up at each gun position in turn to give exact bearings and angle to director, gun aiming posts and night RO [reference objects). This was the confirmatory exercise for four members of the regimentally run Recce Tech course. Newly minted Recce Techs from this exercise include Sgt Holt, Bdr Skuce and Gunners Coleman and Neumann. The ever watchful eyes of the GPO and Recce NCO (Mbdr Young) were much in evidence.
Anticipating the BC's intention, orders were given to continue preparing the position and tentage started to sprinkle the Gun Position. The exercise focused on the aspects of technical shooting as opposed to the BK continually upgrading local defence. Fire planning began in late afternoon heating up the CP a wee bit. This in itself was a good thing since the heater for the box was not operational and we can all imagine how much coolness that large metal clad
structure garners. WO Comars, as the Tech WO and prime shooter, worked closely with MBdr Mach on the Ballistic Fire Control System (BFCS), and a newly minted Artillery Communicator, Pte Godsoe, to expedite the intentions of those on the hill.
The CO was present and managed to work his way on to a Gun Platform and performed as a No 2. FIRE! ON!
2Lieut Campbell was provided the exclusive tour of the Ops by the CO and was more than ready to be able to brief the MTSC (Militia Training Support Centre) personnel who arrived on the position at 1600 for the remainder of the Exercise. The Safety Officer, Capt Dorris, was close at hand during all missions and will attest to the difficulty in sprinting in mukluks, especially during the first applications of using fuzed ammunition.
A stand-down was called during dusk while we were awaiting a darkness level suitable to fire off the first of 40 illumination rounds. Throughout the next hour lateral spread and coordinated illum was the order of business – until 0030. Night routine commenced after the verification of the FPF (Final Protective Fire). Bdr Mcleod spent his evening in Shilo starting every vehicle every hour and running it for 15 minutes. Standard two man roving pickets were established in addition to the Duty Officer and the Signaller in the CP.
Everyone on the platforms had an opportunity to challenge themselves through employment in a variety of positions from Gun Guide to No 2 - No 7. MBdr Mezaros worked diligently with Bombardiers Schultz, Butler, Dajko and Gunners McKenzie, Hamon-Dass, to keep the guns firing.
FPF 3 rds FFE was called for at 0602. Fire planning continued throughout the early morning, with Prepare to Move being issued at 0900. All ammunition was expended at 0928 closely followed by Cease Firing. Final Salvage was picked up, charge bags burned , the area policed and the Battery redeployed at 0945. Clean-up, maintenance and stores return was completed by all hands who then had a hot lunch at the WATC ADS Gun Shed. The A/BSM WO Wishnicki who double hatted as the Gun-Line TSM ensured correct fire discipline was observed
on the Position at all times.. He was heard to comment "and to think I served here one whole, long winter."
After shedding our new polypropylene under garments, our fleece layer, and our outer Gore-Tex layer we were ready for a Battery parade. Standing in the breezy noon time sun caused more than a few ears to cry out. However, the promotion of Bdr Tach made it all worthwhile. The CO also announced the Regimental Medals Parade to be held on 21 April in Bessborough Armoury which should prove a great venue to hear 'just how cold it was in Shilo!’ Our trip
home was uneventful...school bus to Winnipeg and flight home with a stop-over in Calgary for all save one. We had all arrived at the Armoury by 2030 hours after a whirlwind 48 hours. And we're ready to head out again!
(By Lieutenant D.P. Gayton, CD)
Exercise CAUSTIC SHOCK, an annual evaluation effort conducted under the auspices of WATC ADS (Western Area Training Centre, Artillery Detachment Shilo) was held at the Home Station 23-25 March 2001. Because the Regiment's guns and prime movers have been grounded and a new radio system is being installed in our other vehicles drastic measures were undertaken.
The Regiment deployed to CFB Shilo Friday evening (23 Mar) via commercial air carrier. We landed in Winnipeg and suffered our first shock crossing to the bus awaiting us ....frigid. After a windy yet dry trip to Shilo we were housed in the still standing L101, grabbed two hours sleep before reveille (0400 BC time), a quick meal in M101 and then yet another eye opening trek to the gun park. Our Advance Parry comprising the BC, Captain McCready, WO Comars, WO Lum, MBdr Gee and Bdr Ouellette had signed for the entire Battery stores and arranged for all further activities.
The Safety Briefing of the Battery, minus all those required to attend the Calibration Point, moved to a Prepare for Action position near Wood Hill. Recce, having calibrated director heads and compasses, prepared a position for occupation between Trig Wye and Tele at the intersection of Casino Road and Gopher Trail. This position proved most suitable with a CofA of 1900, while the two FOO parties and the BC's party occupied Sugar.
The first of 300 rounds went down range at 1035. Sgt Chiu's detachment provided the first adjustment with the second going to Sgt Johnson's (borrowed from 26th Field-Brandon) detachment. The remainder of the morning and early afternoon was occupied with AN (Area Neutralization) Missions, sorting out ammo drops, and learning all about the new environmental clothing - the IECS.
The variety of items in this new clothing system coupled with the old mukluks, circa 1935, certainly did the trick in the cool spring of Shilo. Temperature low was -22C (8 below zero F) and that coupled with a breeze, which started in Regina and picked up speed moving east, provided a new learning experience for many of the Lotus Land Gunners. Some of our members were able to provide assistance in sorting out the new kit due to experience with SFOR (Stabilization Force) on Exercise LIMBER GUNNER held one week earlier in Shilo.
New Hayboxes have been introduced to the system as well - and they really work! We had hot rations prepared in the Home Station kitchens and catered directly to the Gun Line. Gun seconds-in-command MBdr Gee and Tennant were busy ramrodding the activities of the troops through reduced detachments as MOLAR (Quartermaster) WO Lum assisted by Pte Sutherland arrived on position. This was WO Lum's final exercise with Guns. His high standard
of care and attention to detail will be missed immensely.
Throughout the FOO parties, consisting of Captains Watts and Purcell, MBdr Erickson and Bombardiers Campbell and Spruston kept lively fire missions on-going under the watchful eyes of Capt McCready.
Recce, meanwhile, continued to prepare positions including a Day for Night ( Ed's note: "Day for Night" is the MAX recce wherein director heads are set up at each gun position in turn to give exact bearings and angle to director, gun aiming posts and night RO [reference objects). This was the confirmatory exercise for four members of the regimentally run Recce Tech course. Newly minted Recce Techs from this exercise include Sgt Holt, Bdr Skuce and Gunners Coleman and Neumann. The ever watchful eyes of the GPO and Recce NCO (Mbdr Young) were much in evidence.
Anticipating the BC's intention, orders were given to continue preparing the position and tentage started to sprinkle the Gun Position. The exercise focused on the aspects of technical shooting as opposed to the BK continually upgrading local defence. Fire planning began in late afternoon heating up the CP a wee bit. This in itself was a good thing since the heater for the box was not operational and we can all imagine how much coolness that large metal clad
structure garners. WO Comars, as the Tech WO and prime shooter, worked closely with MBdr Mach on the Ballistic Fire Control System (BFCS), and a newly minted Artillery Communicator, Pte Godsoe, to expedite the intentions of those on the hill.
The CO was present and managed to work his way on to a Gun Platform and performed as a No 2. FIRE! ON!
2Lieut Campbell was provided the exclusive tour of the Ops by the CO and was more than ready to be able to brief the MTSC (Militia Training Support Centre) personnel who arrived on the position at 1600 for the remainder of the Exercise. The Safety Officer, Capt Dorris, was close at hand during all missions and will attest to the difficulty in sprinting in mukluks, especially during the first applications of using fuzed ammunition.
A stand-down was called during dusk while we were awaiting a darkness level suitable to fire off the first of 40 illumination rounds. Throughout the next hour lateral spread and coordinated illum was the order of business – until 0030. Night routine commenced after the verification of the FPF (Final Protective Fire). Bdr Mcleod spent his evening in Shilo starting every vehicle every hour and running it for 15 minutes. Standard two man roving pickets were established in addition to the Duty Officer and the Signaller in the CP.
Everyone on the platforms had an opportunity to challenge themselves through employment in a variety of positions from Gun Guide to No 2 - No 7. MBdr Mezaros worked diligently with Bombardiers Schultz, Butler, Dajko and Gunners McKenzie, Hamon-Dass, to keep the guns firing.
FPF 3 rds FFE was called for at 0602. Fire planning continued throughout the early morning, with Prepare to Move being issued at 0900. All ammunition was expended at 0928 closely followed by Cease Firing. Final Salvage was picked up, charge bags burned , the area policed and the Battery redeployed at 0945. Clean-up, maintenance and stores return was completed by all hands who then had a hot lunch at the WATC ADS Gun Shed. The A/BSM WO Wishnicki who double hatted as the Gun-Line TSM ensured correct fire discipline was observed
on the Position at all times.. He was heard to comment "and to think I served here one whole, long winter."
After shedding our new polypropylene under garments, our fleece layer, and our outer Gore-Tex layer we were ready for a Battery parade. Standing in the breezy noon time sun caused more than a few ears to cry out. However, the promotion of Bdr Tach made it all worthwhile. The CO also announced the Regimental Medals Parade to be held on 21 April in Bessborough Armoury which should prove a great venue to hear 'just how cold it was in Shilo!’ Our trip
home was uneventful...school bus to Winnipeg and flight home with a stop-over in Calgary for all save one. We had all arrived at the Armoury by 2030 hours after a whirlwind 48 hours. And we're ready to head out again!