Exercise Gunner Defender 2013
A Gunner’s Ex
MBdr Magill
Exercise Gunner Defender 2013 was the artillery counterpart to the Western Defender exercises that took place in three separate locations across western Canada. From 24-29 August, gunners from 38 CBG, 39 CBG, and 41 CBG came together in CFB Shilo for the first time as gunners of the newly named 3rd Canadian Division. Upon arrival in Shilo, the gunners were split into two Batteries. Following a shakeout and a brief from the commander, the batteries were deployed to the field in a regimental context. What followed was four intense days of training in the grinding August heat. Deploying as a regiment afforded the exercise participants the ability to practice regimental fire missions and fire plans – not something that reservists get to do very often due to manpower and equipment constraints. The command posts (including C/S 0) were tested to the limits, gaining confidence with the regimental radio nets and honing their skills with each mission that came down. Aside from the regimental fire planning - a first for both of the FOOs on the exercise - the observation posts had the opportunity to practice some special procedures rarely used by reservists such as ’mark’ while liaising with a qualified FAC, and ‘destruction’. On top of this, the gun detachments were given a series of harassing fire missions during the night. The days were long and the heat was record breaking but we kept on from position to position, drinking upwards of ten litres of water per soldier per day. The field portion came to a close with a Number One’s open action competition. 15B, for which I had the pleasure of being 2IC, won the competition with a target round on the second round in adjustment and every round thereafter. The experience was unforgettable, and winning the competition was a nice bonus. Ex Gunner Defender 2013 tested the reserve gunners’ limits both mentally and physically and provided the soldiers with a wealth of experience. Those soldiers who spent the summer away on course filled new roles in which they had not been employed in the past and faired well under the pressure. Ex Gunner Defender proved that, although logistically challenging, 3rd Canadian Division’s reserve artillery can come together to effectively and efficiently train as one regiment.
The Quadrant, Volume 29, Issue 2, Autumn 2013
MBdr Magill
Exercise Gunner Defender 2013 was the artillery counterpart to the Western Defender exercises that took place in three separate locations across western Canada. From 24-29 August, gunners from 38 CBG, 39 CBG, and 41 CBG came together in CFB Shilo for the first time as gunners of the newly named 3rd Canadian Division. Upon arrival in Shilo, the gunners were split into two Batteries. Following a shakeout and a brief from the commander, the batteries were deployed to the field in a regimental context. What followed was four intense days of training in the grinding August heat. Deploying as a regiment afforded the exercise participants the ability to practice regimental fire missions and fire plans – not something that reservists get to do very often due to manpower and equipment constraints. The command posts (including C/S 0) were tested to the limits, gaining confidence with the regimental radio nets and honing their skills with each mission that came down. Aside from the regimental fire planning - a first for both of the FOOs on the exercise - the observation posts had the opportunity to practice some special procedures rarely used by reservists such as ’mark’ while liaising with a qualified FAC, and ‘destruction’. On top of this, the gun detachments were given a series of harassing fire missions during the night. The days were long and the heat was record breaking but we kept on from position to position, drinking upwards of ten litres of water per soldier per day. The field portion came to a close with a Number One’s open action competition. 15B, for which I had the pleasure of being 2IC, won the competition with a target round on the second round in adjustment and every round thereafter. The experience was unforgettable, and winning the competition was a nice bonus. Ex Gunner Defender 2013 tested the reserve gunners’ limits both mentally and physically and provided the soldiers with a wealth of experience. Those soldiers who spent the summer away on course filled new roles in which they had not been employed in the past and faired well under the pressure. Ex Gunner Defender proved that, although logistically challenging, 3rd Canadian Division’s reserve artillery can come together to effectively and efficiently train as one regiment.
The Quadrant, Volume 29, Issue 2, Autumn 2013