memphiz
07-22-2004, 06:35 PM
Platoons conduct combat patrols across civilian territory
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/Images/6_1/2004_07_22_CastorMinier_M.jpg
A platoon carries its assault boat to the St. François River.
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/Images/6_1/2004_07_22_CastorMinier_H_big.jpg
ASBESTOS, Québec — Leaving behind their familiar training grounds, 260 soldiers from Valcartier took to the water in assault boats, then crossed farmers' fields and dense bush, and after four days reached their objective, the Jeffery Mine Site.
Platoons from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22ième Regiment conducted combat foot patrols in June between Drummondville and Asbestos during Exercise CASTOR MINIER.
''I made 22 trips here,'' said Warrant Officer Michel Martin. He began working with the local civilian population at the end of April to obtain permission and access to the civilian territory and private property that the soldiers would cross.
The exercise was carried out in four phases.
The first phase saw soldiers arriving by bus at the Drummondville airport, camming up, and paddling their boats down the St- Francois River.
The second phase kicked in when the platoons arrived on shore, ready to embark on a 30-kilometer combat foot patrol while being tracked by enemy forces.
Phase three involved an attack at the Jeffery Mine Site. The reconnaissance platoon acted as the enemy force in collaboration with the Sûreté de Québec.
Pierre Jacques, a dog Handler, worked with his police dog Icar to track the soldiers in the dense bush. In addition to tracking human scents, Icar is also trained to look for articles and weapons, said Officer Jacques.
''Reconnaissance platoon has a complex task which is often overlooked. We track them (the soldiers) and hunt them down," said Platoon Commander Capt Max Michaud-Shields. "This training was carried out on much different terrain than we are accustomed to, adding to the patrol challenge.''
After the exercise wrapped up, other members of the battalion toured the local area stopping in various towns and villages to show off the Army's weapons, equipment and vehicles. WO Martin reported the mayor of Asbestos saying that she has never seen such a large turnout of people from the local communities — even more than when Céline Dion visited the area at the beginning of her career!
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/Images/6_1/2004_07_22_CastorMinier_1.jpg
Provincial police officer Pierre Jacques and his dog help track soldiers during the exercise.
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/Images/6_1/2004_07_22_CastorMinier_M.jpg
A platoon carries its assault boat to the St. François River.
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/Images/6_1/2004_07_22_CastorMinier_H_big.jpg
ASBESTOS, Québec — Leaving behind their familiar training grounds, 260 soldiers from Valcartier took to the water in assault boats, then crossed farmers' fields and dense bush, and after four days reached their objective, the Jeffery Mine Site.
Platoons from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22ième Regiment conducted combat foot patrols in June between Drummondville and Asbestos during Exercise CASTOR MINIER.
''I made 22 trips here,'' said Warrant Officer Michel Martin. He began working with the local civilian population at the end of April to obtain permission and access to the civilian territory and private property that the soldiers would cross.
The exercise was carried out in four phases.
The first phase saw soldiers arriving by bus at the Drummondville airport, camming up, and paddling their boats down the St- Francois River.
The second phase kicked in when the platoons arrived on shore, ready to embark on a 30-kilometer combat foot patrol while being tracked by enemy forces.
Phase three involved an attack at the Jeffery Mine Site. The reconnaissance platoon acted as the enemy force in collaboration with the Sûreté de Québec.
Pierre Jacques, a dog Handler, worked with his police dog Icar to track the soldiers in the dense bush. In addition to tracking human scents, Icar is also trained to look for articles and weapons, said Officer Jacques.
''Reconnaissance platoon has a complex task which is often overlooked. We track them (the soldiers) and hunt them down," said Platoon Commander Capt Max Michaud-Shields. "This training was carried out on much different terrain than we are accustomed to, adding to the patrol challenge.''
After the exercise wrapped up, other members of the battalion toured the local area stopping in various towns and villages to show off the Army's weapons, equipment and vehicles. WO Martin reported the mayor of Asbestos saying that she has never seen such a large turnout of people from the local communities — even more than when Céline Dion visited the area at the beginning of her career!
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/Images/6_1/2004_07_22_CastorMinier_1.jpg
Provincial police officer Pierre Jacques and his dog help track soldiers during the exercise.