Milcon 74
10-17 Aug 1974, Shilo, MB
By Capt. J.M. Vanstone
It would seem that with ROUTP and the German training taking place on the Shilo ranges there would be little room for any other activity. Yet during the period 11 - 17 August 74 nearly two hundred militia gunners from five provinces converged on CFB Shilo to take part in MILCON 74.
Ontario sent the 116th Independent Field Battery from Kenora while the 26th Field Regiment from Brandon and the 13th Field Battery from Portage la Prairie represented Manitoba. The 10th Field Regiment came from Regina including the 64th Field Battery from Yorkton represented Saskatchewan. The 20th Field Regiment Edmonton, the 78th from Red Deer and the 20th Independent Battery from Lethbridge were Alberta’s contribution. Finally, Vancouver’s 15th Field Regiment and Victoria’s 5th (BC) Field Battery travelled over 1500 miles from B.C. to attend MILCON 74.
Initial planning called for the formation of three batteries of six guns each. However, the number of artillerymen that had been hoped for did not arrive and it became necessary to reorganize into two batteries. The 15th Field Regiment and 5 (BC) Field Battery combined to form P Battery, a six gun single fire unit, while the remaining units were combined to form a two troop ten gun battery!
The two batteries spent Sunday the 11th of August on administration and refresher training. On Monday they headed for the ranges for a morning of dry deployments while the afternoon saw the battery commanders conducting live artillery practices. Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with much movement and simple fire plans. The Regimentally controlled Exercise POWDER KEG V commenced Wednesday evening and ran through to Friday morning. On Friday morning both batteries played an important part in the infantry’s live firing exercise and returned to base to clean and return equipment. On Friday evening a barbecue was held and on Saturday morning MILCON 74 came to a close as the militiamen headed home.
The Regiment [3 RCHA] was tasked to provide the majority of the equipment, some drivers and numerous officer and NCO advisors. Safety was also provided by 3 RCHA. MILCON 74 achieved its aim and the regiment is once again looking forward to MILCON 75.
The Canadian Gunner 1974, Volume 10, December 1974, page 58
Sigs Sgt for the exercise - Sgt Leon Jensen
By Capt. J.M. Vanstone
It would seem that with ROUTP and the German training taking place on the Shilo ranges there would be little room for any other activity. Yet during the period 11 - 17 August 74 nearly two hundred militia gunners from five provinces converged on CFB Shilo to take part in MILCON 74.
Ontario sent the 116th Independent Field Battery from Kenora while the 26th Field Regiment from Brandon and the 13th Field Battery from Portage la Prairie represented Manitoba. The 10th Field Regiment came from Regina including the 64th Field Battery from Yorkton represented Saskatchewan. The 20th Field Regiment Edmonton, the 78th from Red Deer and the 20th Independent Battery from Lethbridge were Alberta’s contribution. Finally, Vancouver’s 15th Field Regiment and Victoria’s 5th (BC) Field Battery travelled over 1500 miles from B.C. to attend MILCON 74.
Initial planning called for the formation of three batteries of six guns each. However, the number of artillerymen that had been hoped for did not arrive and it became necessary to reorganize into two batteries. The 15th Field Regiment and 5 (BC) Field Battery combined to form P Battery, a six gun single fire unit, while the remaining units were combined to form a two troop ten gun battery!
The two batteries spent Sunday the 11th of August on administration and refresher training. On Monday they headed for the ranges for a morning of dry deployments while the afternoon saw the battery commanders conducting live artillery practices. Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with much movement and simple fire plans. The Regimentally controlled Exercise POWDER KEG V commenced Wednesday evening and ran through to Friday morning. On Friday morning both batteries played an important part in the infantry’s live firing exercise and returned to base to clean and return equipment. On Friday evening a barbecue was held and on Saturday morning MILCON 74 came to a close as the militiamen headed home.
The Regiment [3 RCHA] was tasked to provide the majority of the equipment, some drivers and numerous officer and NCO advisors. Safety was also provided by 3 RCHA. MILCON 74 achieved its aim and the regiment is once again looking forward to MILCON 75.
The Canadian Gunner 1974, Volume 10, December 1974, page 58
Sigs Sgt for the exercise - Sgt Leon Jensen