Page 189 - The Bugle 2018

Sniper Platoon deployed one detachment stage in Anchorage, Alaska with the double-header
Boarding Polish Mi-17 (HIP), Operation REASSURANCE R7, Exercise SABER STRIKE, June 2017
to Poland, supporting C Coy on Operation REASSURANCE Roto 7. The snipers competed in the Estonia International Sniper Competition placing second overall, and one member being the top .338 shooter. Snipers were invited to participate in the Australian Army Skill-At-Arms Meeting. The meeting was designed to discuss tactics and equipment and build a rapport with our allies. The sniper team placed respectfully overall but received accolades during the high value target engagement scenario. Snipers participated in the Canadian International Sniper Concentration placing 6th and received the McMillan Trophy for top .50 calibre shoot. Currently Sniper platoon is looking at transitioning into the Light Forces construct.
Combat Support has begun to reintegrate the old Mortars, Pioneers, and Direct Fire Support (DFS) Platoons back into the company. Pioneers and DFS are expected to be stood up for 2018 with an aim on full operational capacity by Ex MAPLE RESOLVE 2019. Currently, 3 PPCLI has been the lead with developing the TOW capability for the CA. Overall, with these capabilities returning to Combat Support it presents opportunity for soldiers to further develop their individual skillsets.
2017 saw the completed roll-out, of the MRZR fleet of all-terrain vehicles. With exercises and opera- tions around the globe, Combat Service Support Company was busy. Maintenance and Transport Platoons were integrated into Alpha Company Group for Ex SPARTAN ASSENT in Bridgeport, California. In addition to giving soldiers some climbing and rappelling opportunities, this provided an effective validation of the MRZR all-terrain vehicle in complex terrain.
Ex TALISMAN SABRE gave some parachute qualified soldiers an opportunity to jump with the Parachute Company. This exercise saw soldiers
celebration of Canada Day and July 4th. Once trained on the T-11 parachute, the soldiers jumped into Australia earning their US Jump Wings.
One of the most exciting individual experiences in Poland was Corporal Wayne Schoenknecht’s near death experience while driving an Heavy Lift Vehicle Wheel (HLVW) in the Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area. The roads were barely wide enough for an HLVW let alone an HLVW and an oncoming logging truck. The logging truck did not yield, forcing him off the road. With stuntman agility he leapt from the truck just before it collided with a tree. He escaped with minor bruises and the HLVW was written off and turned into a target on a rocket range. Corporal Wayne Schoenknecht was awarded the first round. The end of the year saw the return to Wainwright, Alberta to support the Battalion during Ex IRON RAM, Infantry Dismounted Company Commander’s Course and the Infantry Company Sergeant Major’s Course. The soldiers maintained the standard of flexibility and support that the Battalion has come to rely upon and expect.
2018 looks to remain fast paced, with new challenges and opportunities as Combat Support Company gains new capabilities such as Pioneers Platoon and the DFS Platoon, while the battalion as a whole implements and improves upon the Light Forces Doctrine. Our soldiers remain ready to deploy anywhere they are called upon with the professionalism and excellence that has come to be expected of the Third Battalion.
OUR SOLDIERS REMAIN READY TO DEPLOY ANYWHERE THEY ARE CALLED UPON
THE RIFLES
ALLIANCES 195