Page 187 - The Bugle 2018

3 PPCLI
2017 was a challenging year for the Third Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI). It saw Charlie Company (C Coy) deploy on Op REASSURANCE Rotation (Roto) 7, in addition to supporting numerous personnel deployed on opera- tions around the world. As always, 3 PPCLI was well prepared and trained to conduct and support any short notice tasks.
Alpha Company (A Coy) maintains and develops the mountain warfare capability for the Canadian Army. Deploying to Nordegg, Alberta to conduct Ex ROCKY ASCENT, a 10-day exercise, A Coy completed a variety of mountain specific installa- tions such as multi-pitch rappelling, high-line linear danger area crossings and mountain navigation. With a platoon’s worth of new soldiers having just arrived, this exercise served up excellent mountain indoctrination and pushed senior soldiers to take on increased responsibilities, preparing them for the Complex Terrain Operator course. Early summer, A Coy participated in Ex MAPLE FLAG, conducting air assault tasks at a battalion level, being supported by CH-147F Chinook aircraft. The exercise spanned over two weeks, with a focus on air assault and air mobile operations into an urban environment.
As a result of wildfires threatening the Canadian public, A Coy was deployed to Williams Lake, British Columbia as part of Op LENTUS in August. Throughout the operation, all ranks worked intimately with elements of the Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) and the public in the Cariboo Region, assisting in manning road checkpoints and aiding in the evacuation of fire-threatened areas.
Between 19 September and 21 October, A Coy deployed to the United States Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Centre in Bridgeport, California in Toiyabe National Park. Ex SPARTAN ASCENT was a joint, Canadian-American training exercise focused on developing mountain warfare
skills while attached to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Division and incorporated attachments from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and 1 Field Ambulance. Culminating with a four day battalion exercise, advanced mountain operators were employed by the Marine Battalion Headquarters to plan the offense and defense. A Coy was tasked to conduct a deep flanking over difficult terrain to dislocate the enemy and enable the Marine Battalion to seize ground lines of communication. In 72 hours, A Coy traversed 42 kilometres of terrain with over 2100 metre elevation gain (and loss), conducted attacks and supported Marine elements by fire – all without resupply. In November, A Coy took part in Ex IRON RAM in Wainwright, Alberta to complete section and platoon level live fire ranges.
The 2017 calendar year for B Coy was an eventful one to say the least. The year saw members of the 3 PPCLI’s Parachute Company conduct exercises and operations in Edmonton, Comox, Victoria, Alaska, Australia, mainland British Columbia, and Wainwright. The paratroopers demonstrated an array of attributes becoming of the reputation B Coy maintains, ranging from soldier skills to civilian inter- action skills.
The month of February saw the company partic- ipate in Ex SHOOTING PEGASUS in Edmonton. The exercise was designed to train the troops in urban operations and close quarters combat. The Company was qualified on Personal Weapons Test 4 as an introduction to a shooting package designed by Urban Operations Instructor Warrant Officer Tom Millar. The training culminated in an exercise that combined the tactics of both training regimens in the “Fighting In Built-Up Areas” house. Soldiers were tested on their ability to react to enemy confronta- tions with both their rifles and their hands.
In late April, B Coy deployed to British Columbia for Ex READY ANGLE in order to qualify in Non-Com- batant Evacuation Operations (NEO).
Firing Carl Gustav 84mm on a defensive range, Operation REASSURANCE, Exercise SABER STRIKE, June 2017
In flight over drop zone Kapyong, Exercise TALISMAN SABRE, July 2017
THE RIFLES
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