And to you and Libby, Ban.
Clive and Marlene
-----Original Message-----
From: rcd-association-bounces(a)rootsweb.com
[mailto:rcd-association-bounces@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of JPrice
Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 10:06 AM
To: Dragnet
Subject: [DragNet] COs CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Please find below the Commanding Officers letter for Christmas 06. The best
of the season to all.
Dear Dragoons,
As time races by quickly, I thought that it might be time for an update on
the ever-changing situation as it faces our Regiment. As always, I must
begin by stating how proud I am of our Dragoons, and of the job they
continue to perform despite challenging circumstances.
A Squadron is now over halfway done on their tour of duty in
Afghanistan as part of Task Force 3-06. The A Squadron command team is in
regular contact with both the RSM and myself, and we try to keep abreast of
their activities in their daily fights against the Taliban. Although the
frequency of news reports varies, rest assured that shots are being fired
daily, and our soldiers continue to demonstrate exceptional professional
skill and competence as they execute their tasks in this difficult part of
the world. The squadron has performed a range of standard reconnaissance
tasks ranging from point and area surveillance, convoy escorts as well as a
number of non-traditional roles such as raids and even digging in their
vehicles to man static defensive positions. Dragoons continue to react to
changing tasks and missions with calm, professional poise, winning accolades
from all who come into contact with them. I am joined by the entire
Regimental family in wishi!
ng them a safe return home in Spring 2007.
B Squadron has completed Exercise MAPLE GUARDIAN, and was
extremely successful at increasing their level of training while building
confidence in their abilities to accomplish their tasks. As a result of the
long and arduous training regime now completed, they are now ready to
replace A Squadron in Southern Afghanistan and I am extremely confident that
they will maintain the very high standard of performance that
A Squadron has set.
D Squadron has been significantly reduced in number as they have
borne the brunt of supporting both A and B Squadrons. D Squadron has
provided a large number of the personnel replacements going into theatre,
while maintaining high readiness as part of the national DART commitment and
completing a very high level of individual training over the Fall. The
culmination of this support was a live-fire range conducted in the first
week of December. This range was one of the most dynamic and interesting
that the Regiment has completed and presented B Squadron (as well as
elements of the NSE) with complex problems in a live-fire context. D
Squadron has supported the Regiment without complaint, and will themselves
become the training priority in the summer of 2007 as they begin their work
up training for Task Force 3-08.
As the Regiment is largely deployed or deploying, HQ Sqn has
taken advantage of the opportunity to conduct its own training. The
squadron has conducted several roll outs, a week long deployment to
Connaught Ranges, deployed a CP and FLG to support a reserve concentration,
and increased the individual training skills of its soldiers. As always,
the crewmen and support trades which make up HQ Sqn have proven themselves
to be proud Dragoons, and a force to be reckoned with in the field.
RHQ has organized a very high number of individual training
courses over the past three months, to the extent that the Regiment is very
well prepared to enter the 2007-2008 training year with individual skills
refreshed. In addition to normal IBTS training, the Regiment has completed
two PCF cycles, qualified ten first aid instructors, topped up on
individuals qualified HLVW and LAV driver, qualified SA instructors for
instinctive shooting, trained a junior officer Advanced Gunnery Instructor,
conducted PLQ mods 1-5, and a number of other crucial soldier qualifications
which will allow the Regiment to promote its soldiers and train itself.
The Regimental family has also been busy over the past few
months. As the Regiment has sustained casualties overseas, the Regimental
family has pushed to the forefront and offered outstanding support to the
soldiers of the Regiment and their families. The RSM and I receive almost
daily complements on how well our Regiment looks after its own, and the bulk
of the support comes from the unseen hands of our serving and retired
soldiers who continue to support us although not on Regimental service.
The new year will continue to challenge the Regiment. We will
focus on receiving back our veterans in A Squadron, and supporting B
Squadron as it goes out the door. New Dragoons, newly recruited, will be
joining us and we will train them in our skills and Regimental legacies.
We will conduct annual winter warfare training and set aside time to
celebrate our Regimental history.
This year, the Regiment will continue to put an increased effort
into celebrating the liberation of Leeuwarden. As circumstances forced us
to scale down our annual Leliefontein celebrations, the RSM and I are
cognizant of a number of important Regimental duties which we have been
unable to fulfill. We intend to gather as much of the Regimental family as
possible in Petawawa, so that we can renew our bonds of friendship, and blow
off a bit of accumulated steam. We hope to have a combined officer/Senior
NCO mixed dining in, as well as an all-ranks dance, so I would ask that all
Dragoons and friends put a marker down on the weekend of 13-15 April 2007.
More details will be forthcoming in the new year.
The number of promotions which the Regiment was able to award at Christmas
was impressive, and we offer our heartiest congratulations to the following
in their new ranks:
a.. Captain Curley
b.. Lieutenant Wong
c.. Warrant Officer Hebert
d.. Sergeants Hogg, Woodcroft, Staley and Elliot (WSE)
e.. Master Corporals Babin and Trubella
f.. Corporals Allard, Berube, Chapman, Leblanc CC, Leblanc ML, Louvelle,
St-Gelais and Whitehead; and
g.. Pte (T) Pilgrim
In closing, I would like to extend the warmest of Christmas
wishes to all members of our Regimental family, whether serving, retired, or
on extra-Regimental employment. We as a Regiment have taken casualties over
the past few months, and we have pulled together, paid the proper respects
and carried on with our tasks. We are stronger for the passing of our
Comrades, for they have united us in grief and in renewing our determination
to serve our Country. Their sacrifice demands that we take the time to
appreciate the many blessings which we as Canadians enjoy. I hope that you
all enjoy the holiday period, spend it profitably by being with the ones you
love, and showing friendship to those whose loved ones are absent.
Audax et Celer
S.M. Cadden
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding Officer
JB Price
MacTavish Kennels Inc
(613) 489-0086
www.mactavishscotties.ca
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