Page 203 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

distinguish itself through judicious use of force and excellent management of complex full-spectrum operations, engaging with role players simulating civilians in a war zone and meeting the ongoing threat of insurgents with the measured calm and professionalism required of soldiers and leaders in the modern battle space. To top off this high-tempo and realistic exercise, the battalion got its feet wet, literally, by conducting a bridgehead and river crossing operation during the nal offensive push.
During this quarter Combat Support Company also had the unique opportunity to foster our continued comradery with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) by way of a reciprocal exchange under Exercise KAPYONG FAITHFUL. A section from 2 PPCLI had the opportunity to travel to Australia and participate in a demanding completion for the Opie trophy. Our team performed excep- tionally well and came fourth out of twenty seven sections. An outstanding effort in the 31 degree heat and the dust at High Range, considering the team had not had a chance to acclimatize from the Canadian spring. The tactical ability of 2 PPCLI’s team was evident throughout and the Commanding Of cer and Regimental Sergeant Major of 3 RAR were particularly impressed by the night live re attack conducted by Sergeant Lewis and his section. The battle drills, discipline and esprit-de- corps shown by the team was a great credit to the Canadian Army. In return a section from 3 RAR’s Support Company, embedded with 2 PPCLI for part of our high readiness training. During this period the 3 RAR section deployed with the 2 PPCLI’s Recon- naissance Platoon in Wainwright during Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM. This activity exposed the Australian soldiers to conducting mechanized reconnaissance as part of a larger mechanized battle group in the complex terrain generated by the cold and harsh Canadian environment.
Returning to Shilo did not lead to a reduction of pace for the battalion. As the Second Battalion re-or- ganized itself in preparation for Operation UNIFIER and Immediate Response Unit East, Alpha and Bravo Companies conducted Exercise KAPYONG GLADIUS which re-con rmed the readiness of the sub-units up to platoon live re while those deploying conducted Theatre Mission Speci c Training (TMST). Early August saw members of Operation UNIFIER Rotation 2 depart, with further training conducted for the Technical Assistance Visit and Operational Replacement Pool soldiers. The battalion also provided competitive teams for Exercises TOUGH CONTENDER and MOUNTAIN MAN, winning MOUNTAIN MAN for a third consecutive year.
As the summer drew to a close, Bravo Company left Shilo for CFB Suf eld and the British Army Training Unit Suf eld (BATUS) to work with the Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG) – an armoured cavalry unit of the British Army – during Exercise IRON STRIKE. Exercise IRON STRIKE tested the British Army’s implementation of the Strike Brigade Concept: medium weight armoured forces that aim to be more rapidly deployable than the British Army’s heavy armoured units, while possessing more repower than their lightly armed rapid reaction forces. By combining Bravo Company’s LAVs with the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family operated by the RDG, a Strike Battle Group was simulated which allowed British Army leadership to
see how a Strike Brigade may potentially fare in a future con ict. By integrating with the RDG, Bravo Company provided the British Army with the ability to evaluate how wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles would interact together while showcasing the exibility, professionalism, and excellent soldier skills that are the hallmark of the Canadian Army.
Meanwhile, those not deployed to BATUS focused on increasing the tness and soldier skills of the individual soldiers by fostering initiative amongst all rank levels and enabling junior leaders to have an impactful role on coy-level operations and planning. The culmination of this necessary shift were Exercises KAPYONG TAURUS and KAPYONG AMBROSIA, which were a direct re ection of what soldiers wanted to brush up on to increase their professional acumen. These exercises began with dismounted patrolling, starting with classroom lectures that quickly standardized soldiers’ knowledge of how sections conduct dismounted movement and missions. Continuing to build on the patrolling skill set the second focus was on wilderness survival skills that are often taken for granted and not often trained or exercised. Lessons on shelter construction, survival techniques and environmental consid- erations when in a survival situation all factored heavily into the academics covered by leaders in the battalion from a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise. Lastly, a number of improvised ranges were conducted providing unique and stimulating live re training for both infantry soldiers and combat service support personnel alike.
As well during this timeframe 2 PPCLI had a team participate in the Canadian Patrol Competition. The team successfully completed this challenging event and brought back a number of great lessons learned. 2 PPCLI also provided a sniper team to the United States Army International Sniper Compe- tition. The team did extremely well nishing as the top international team and fth overall. PCF courses resumed in the November timeframe and everyone appreciated taking a short break from the courses to participate in the French Grey Cup events, with Bravo Coy being crowned as both the oat and football champions.
As 2016 draws to a close the Second Battalion continues to support Theatre Mission Speci c Training for Operation UNIFIER Rotation 3 as well as those members deployed and their families. All Second Battalion soldiers have undergone a busy and demanding year, but remain ready to face the operational challenges that lie ahead in 2017. Written by: Major T.M. Leifso and Captain C.E. Pitkin. Photos by: same as above.
TO TOP OFF THIS HIGH- TEMPO AND REALISTIC EXERCISE, THE BATTALION GOT ITS
FEET WET, LITERALLY, BY CONDUCTING A BRIDGEHEAD AND RIVER CROSSING OPERATION DURING
THE FINAL OFFENSIVE PUSH
THE RIFLES
ALLIANCES 201