Dear Dragoon,
Having recently completed a very successful Leliefontein weekend, the large
number of guests and ERE Dragoons who returned to Petawawa drew to mind the sizeable
community of Dragoons and friends spread across the world that were unable to join us.
With this in mind, I thought the time might be ripe for an update on some of the many
activities our Regiment is pursuing.
The Regiment currently comprises 546 serving members, composed of both serving
Dragoons and 34 Reservists who have been “adopted” by the Regiment as they prepare to
deploy in August 2008. Composed primarily of soldiers from the GGHG, QYR, 1H, and Wind R,
as well as a few infantry Reservists, these soldiers parade and train with A Squadron, and
have proven to be a welcome addition to both our field training and our mess life. A
Squadron has also received back our first Leo 1 C2 tank, the first of 5 to be shipped to
Petawawa, where they will be used to rebuild our expertise in tank operations. The
Regiment has deployed 16 Dragoons from A Squadron on Op ATHENA ROTO 4, and they will
remain in theatre until February 2008. Employed with C Squadron, LdSH (RC) on the Leopard
tank (both Leo 1 C2 and Leo 2 A6M), this troop has, under the leadership of Captain Duncan
and WO Robertson, done the Regiment proud. Although two of our Dragoons have been injured
in theatre and repatriated with non-serious injuries, we continue to support our deployed
Dragoons as best we can. There are a number of other Dragoons deployed to Afghanistan
currently, notably BGen Ferron, LCol King, LCol (WSE) Ermel, and Maj Andrews, all employed
with either ISAF or RC (South) HQ. To them we also wish a successful and professionally
rewarding tour, as we wait, along with their families, for their safe return. I would ask
that all deployed Dragoons let Muggsie know when they deploy to various theatres of
operation around the world, so that we can keep track of where our people are. We
continue to have Dragoons in harm’s way, but they are ably led and very well equipped.
B Squadron returned from Op ATHNA ROTO 3 in August of this year, and are now
all back from post deployment leave. The Squadron is currently engaged in running a PLQ
serial for its troopers and corporals, who will be able to add this formal leadership
training to their recent operational experience. B Squadron continues to support the
training of Brigade elements slated to deloy, where their expertise is being well used in
passing along tactical experience.
C Squadron, which was stood up as part of the 2 RCR “Optimized Battle Group” experiment in
Gagetown in the summer of 2007, is slowly growing. Currently comprising two RCD officers,
three RCD Crewman, and approximately 60 infantrymen, this squadron is slated to grow by a
reconnaissance troop in the summer of 2008. It will then be used as the basis for
experimentation on the best use of armoured reconnaissance, dismounted reconnaissance, and
snipers in a battle group. While it is still unclear as to whether or not the Armour
Corps’ force generation requirements will permit the growth of a stand alone troop in
Gagetown, the Regiment is at the forefront of future structural formations, and as such
retains the ability to influence how the Army will fight in the future.
D Squadron has completed a very profitable fall training period, and is ready
to join the 3 RCR Battle Group as it commences its road to high readiness , culminating in
a deployment to Afghanistan in September, 2008. The 9 months remaining between the
present and deployment next Fall will be filled with training exercises in Petawawa, Fort
Bliss Texas, and of course CMTC in Wainright, where the squadron’s battle skills will be
honed.
Headquarters Squadron continues to grapple with the effects of whole fleet
management and the “hot bedding” of vehicles within the Regiment. The outstanding efforts
of the support trades who wear the Springbok continue to allow our Regiment to function.
While the maintainers have been seen to sigh and roll their eyes as we discuss the return
of tanks to the Regiment, I know that deep, deep down in their hearts they are as excited
as the rest of us.
Leliefontein 2007 was, in my opinion, a great success. This was the first
time the majority of the Regiment was able to parade together since CWO Lee and I assumed
command of the Regiment in 2006. With 250 Dragoons on parade, the presence of a large
number of ERE Dragoons and Association members, and the presence of the Colonel of the
Regiment, it was a great weekend for all to “touch base” with the soul of our Regiment:
its people. The presence of General Hillier, MGen MacDonald, MGen Ward and BGen Atkinson
was a visible reminder of the quality leadership our Regiment continues to produce for the
Canadian Forces.
Planning is well advanced for Regimental activities surrounding our 125th
Birthday. Attached to this letter is an outline of the activities currently in the works,
and I would strongly encourage all Dragoons to make plans to attend our celebrations on
Parliament Hill on 6 June, 2008. This promises to be a key event in our Regimental
History, and we are working hard to make sure that is an extremely fun one!
It was with mixed feelings that I read the CANFORGEN naming LCol Marty Frank
and CWO Donny Head as the next command team for the Regiment. While I am extremely
pleased at the professionalism, experience and social capabilities of the next command
team, CWO Lee and I are having a great deal of difficulty in coming to terms with the fact
that we have only 9 months left. Details on the change of command ceremonies will be
published to the Regimental website in the very near future, and it is my sincere hope
that the greatest possible number of Dragoons will be able to attend to show support to
the latest leadership team for our Regiment.
The 2005-2007 edition of the Springbok is currently at the printer, and we
anticipate its distribution to the Regimental family before Christmas. The extremely high
tempo of operations experienced by the Regiment makes the annual production of this book
challenging, but we are pleased with the final product, which you should see shortly.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Captain Jim Roberts
from cancer on the 16th of November. Jim will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by
all who knew him and our best wishes go to Angie and Jim’s many friends and family. The
Regiment has lost a number of excellent soldiers this year, but we continue to honour
their memories and support their families as best we are able.
Sincerely,
S.M. Cadden
Lieutenant Colonel
Commanding Officer