Hi all,
Was just sitting here thinking that it was 25 years
ago today (15 Jan, 1983) that I flew out of Shearwater
to Lahr as a young(er) 8CH PL (M), C Sqn, Cpl Cougar
gunner. Several militia members were on a Class 'B'
callout to Germany to take part in a trial that was
headed by Captain Mike Appleton.
As a part of D Sqn (I believe it was 1 troop) and 60
(my troop), we spent 9 months putting the Cougar
(AVGP) through its gears. It was a great year as we
did just about everything possible with the Cougar. I
should add that those 2 Cougars that were a part of
60, along with 3 Lynx's were definititely the lucky
ones as we had our own recovery vehicles that were
used more frequently than Joe Nunez raced his Catana!
I never did receive the after action report or trial
outcomes, but did go on to join the RCD's in Petawawa
and had extensive time in the Cougar. I must say that
we had mixed feelings about the vehicle as time
progressed. We carried out numerous activities with
the Cougar, even deploying to Somalia with it, which
again, brings with it mixed feelings ... and now
they're gone, so was wondering if anyone had any
anecdotes to add, personal stories or general
complaints about the infamous Cougar.
Anyway, just thought I would add a memory to the
forum...and ask the HCol if he has anything to add ...
or perhaps he would like to keep those long lost
headaches (of the trial) to himself :)
Thanks for the memories, sir ... all in all it was a
great time to be a Dragoon.
Cheers, Roger
Roger Pothier (RCD 88-95)
408 Tac Hel Sqn
Met Sect
"The grim fact, however, is that we prepare for war like precocious giants and for
peace like retarded pygmies"
Lester B. Pearson
Nobel Peace Prize
http://ca.geocities.com/at_sea_wx/
Saeviter Ad Lucem
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