EME and TRAINING Learning & Action Tradition & History Awards

1-2011

EME The Magazine of the EJlecournaltrical and Mechanical Engineering Branch

EME AND TRAINING

Learning & Action

Tradition & History

Awards & Recognitions

in Afghanistan Support our companions EME Branch Fund

The Regiment The Members • Initial issue of • Branch Advisor’s National, accoutrements Regional and Cadet Awards • Anniversary pins • EME regimental funding • Annual mem- of Craftsman or Subaltern bership draws teams at Fund sponsored • Branch sanc- events (bonspiels, golf, tioned sporting hockey) event discounts • Emergency Project Loans • Education bur- • Foster, maintain and saries and short promote the well being of term loans and individuals and the Branch hardship grants

Price for joining? Less than $3/month, Prize for National Award? $500, EME Bursary? $750, Effects on our Branch? Priceless… For more information, contact : [email protected] HISTORY QUIZ By : Lt T. Kim , ADM(Mat) / DGLEPM / DLEPS 4-5-3

What was the first workshop that functioned for the first In what year was the United Nations Emergency Force? first EME Birthday 1 celebrated in Haiti? a. 41 Canadian Infantry Workshop RCEME 2 b. 56 Canadian Infantry Workshop RCEME a. 1989 c. 61 Canadian Infantry Workshop RCEME b. 1991 d. 82 Canadian Infantry Workshop RCEME c. 1993 d. 1995 How many EME 50th Anniversary celebrations were there in Visoko? The EME Coin of Excellence recognises individuals who make outstanding contributions to the EME 3 a. 1 4 Branch. What number EME Coin of Excellence b. 2 was awarded to the member who solved a tech- c. 3 nical problem using a Xbox controller? d. 4 Individuals can email their answers to +EME-GEM BRANCH@ADM(Mat) DLEPS@Ottawa-Hull. The first person to submit the correct answer will have their name and answers printed in the next edition of the EME Journal. Issue 1 - 2011 EME Journal

Regimental Command Update Traditions and History 4 Branch Advisor’s message 2 History Quiz (questions) 5 Branch Chief Warrant Officer’s Message 12 Saving a part of our history!

EME and Training Trade Sections 6 OP HARAS 21 EO tech 22-23 Mat tech 7 Reserve EME Technicians 6 24 Vehicles tech train in reg Force Units 25 Weapons tech What’s Up? 8 Expedient fielding requires expedient training 7 15 202 Workshop depot The Leopard 2 experience 26 RMC Program Delivers Ammunition Expertise 28 Training impacts of the M777 9 8 27 The EME Perspective

11 OP ARTE: from simulation to 28 9th Annual WO J.R. Muise memorial Hockey Tournament hands-on training at CFSEME 9 Awards and Recognit 13 Looking Forward 30 Grumblings from the Vault 13 14 Regimental company today 31 The EME coin of excellence 30 Awards & Recognition Learning and Action 16 OP NANOOK 2010 Columns 17 New Start for EME Advanced Officer Course 29 Last call 18 Field Time for Officer Candidates at CFSEME 19 Changing doctrine for new missions 20 The Tracked Light Armoured Vehicles - (TLAV) Technical Assistance Visit - (TAV)

Regimental Command Update Branch Advisor’s message By: Col S.P. Myers, C.D., EME Branch Advisor olks - as most of you know, “Arte” Training has been one of my top three priorities since taking over as the Branch Advisor. Although my main effort was initially focused on our Fmanning situation during the past two years, the successful recruiting and the repatria- tion of our (Personnel Awaiting Training) PATs to CFSEME has positioned us well. We are now at the point where we can start to place an even greater emphasis on the technical aspect of our training. Arte training is vital to our ability to de- all of our trades. I am also placing in- is also in line with the CLS’ philosophy velop the soldier-technicians and Army creased emphasis on operationalizing of “Train to Excite” and that is why Arte leaders that are so essential on the our training. What do I mean by this? training is not just the job of CFSEME modern battle-space. No matter the Well, we need to make sure that we but our entire Branch. We need to en- scenario, no matter the threat, the abi- apply our very scarce technical training sure continuity in the coaching, men- lity to close with and fix kit is critical to time against those systems and equip- toring and supervision so important successful land operations. That is why ments that are used on operations. To on the workshop floor; leveraging our it is so important that we maintain the do this, without extending our training recent operational experience to inject momentum in modernizing and opera- timelines, we need to take a real hard realism into our training; synchronizing tionalizing our training. look at what we train on today, and if training requirements with new equip- a piece of equipment is not tagged for ment acquisitions at the senior levels; The past few years have certainly been potential use on operations, then we delivery of training at our School house. exciting and challenging for EME, as we need to seriously consider removing it Successfully transforming our Arte trai- closed with and fixed kit on operations. from training. Keeping our training rele- ning, keeping it interesting, challenging From the latest in cool maintenance vant to operational requirements is the and relevant is a total Branch effort. It toys (the AHSVS wrecker) to the realis- key to our continued success on future is the key to our future and we have tic implementation of expedient batt- operations. to get it right: our soldiers deserve no- lefield recovery training, to fixing new thing less. That said, I have absolutely and modern equipment on operations, As most of you know, there is a lot of no doubt that once again, EME will rise EME has continued its track record of new and upgraded equipment coming to this training challenge with our well success on operations. The key to sus- into service over the next 5 years: from known “can do” attitude and we will taining this success into the future lies the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle continue to provide the best soldier- in our training. The Vehicle Technician (TAPV), Close Combat Vehicle (CCV), up- technicians-leaders to our comman- OJT Centers, the systems approach to graded LAV III and the Leopard II to new ders on operations. training, the simulation work ongoing weapon systems, sense capabilities and at our School, the incredible efforts in the latest composite and armoured ma- As a final closing thought, this will be modernizing our courses at the highest terials. Our equipment landscape will my last EME Journal Article as Branch levels, and learning to fix new kit on be dominated in the very near future Advisor as I will be handing over the the fly when required to do so – these with equipments sporting cutting edge responsibilities in June 2011. There- have all been accomplished, and more, technologies. Clearly there are chal- fore, I’d like to also take this opportu- because of the incredible work done lenges facing us as we evolve, and it will nity to thank everyone for their sup- at every level of our Branch. But we not be easy training on all the equip- port and advice these past three years. are not done yet, nor can we afford to ment the Army will soon have. There- It certainly has been a very busy and pause. I fully intend that the Vehicle fore, we need to continue to be inno- challenging time for me. I have enjoyed OJT Center concept be applied across vative in our approach to training. This meeting with many of you as I travel- erratum Unfortunately a mistake was made in the November 2010 edition of the EME Journal. The author of the article called « Tri- bute to Cpl Hornburg», page 28, was Mr. L (Tex) Leugner, C.D., (WO Ret). Please note that the author of the text concerning the change of command of the CFSEME was MWO A. Lotocki, on page 6, and that he is a Senior Technical Instructor (STI).

4 Regimental Command Update led, and working on key Branch issues as we transitioned the Branch for success Branch Chief in the future. A personal and special thanks to CWO St-Jean and CWO Berge- Warrant ron, two incredible EME RSMs, who kept my butt out of the fire; the Col Cmdt, Officer’s Message BGen (ret’d) Peter Holt, whose wisdom By: CWO JBA Bergeron, C.D., M.M.M., Branch Chief and advice were invaluable to me. And Warrant Officer finally, to all of you – the Craftsmen, ello, everyone. I have been your Branch CWO for the soldier-technicians, the leaders of almost a year now. The first six months allowed our regiment of many small units… eve- me to complete my education in the Branch’s rywhere, the members of our extended H priorities and the methods that it uses to meet its objectives. EME family – I say with all sincerity, it Although some might think that some gies on the market. Not a week goes by has been an absolute privilege and ho- of the priorities identified by our Branch without a working group going over the nor to have been your Branch Advisor Advisor have not yet been addressed, teaching points to see what should be for the last three years. I assure you that we have made added to or removed from the program enormous progress in each of them. in order to keep our training system on Thank you and Arte et Marte! Whether in communications with our the cutting edge. Regional Network’s establishment, the successes achieved by our recruitment We must now concentrate our efforts centres in enlisting EME technicians, on finding the way to face the training the efforts made by all our occupation needs required to face the demands of advisors and the Army training sections the new equipment that is knocking at in LFDTS and CTC responsible for EME our doors. The new generations of com- training, we have definitely advanced bat and reconnaissance vehicles that the markers in each of the priorities are coming and the replacement of the that have been identified. B-type vehicle fleets pose a major challenge to our training system. Beyond Have we reached the point where we the basic training of our technicians, we can let up the pressure? Definitely not. must understand the complexity of the The accelerated pace of operations and challenges to come. Several question delivery of new equipment in recent marks have yet to be explored, and our years has shown us that much remains senior technicians will have to direct to be done concerning the training of their expertise toward them in order our technicians. The rapid moderniza- for the necessary training to be deve- tion of equipment has only increasing loped. the gap between the training provided and the training required. Of course, Rest assured that the EME Branch lea- the ultimate goal remains the same: to dership has their ears to the grindstone train our technicians on the right tech- and that every effort is being made to nology at the right time. On the other keep us on top of the new technolo- hand, much of the work done by CF- gies knocking at our door. ARTE training SEME in recent years has been aimed remains one of the Branch’s priorities, at enhancing our ability to train our and we are rapidly approaching the ob- DP1 technicians in each of the trades. jective linked to it. The School has thus been able to meet two of our Branch Advisor’s priorities: increasing the number of EME technicians and enhancing their ARTE training. Don’t get me wrong: the quality of the training of our DP1 technicians is up to the demands of the new technolo-

5 Theme : EME and training Operation HARAS: Restructuring of the EME On Job Training Centre By : Sgt Steve Bouchard, Vehicle Technician Training Platoon, Maintenance Company 5 Canadian Service Battalion

he Maintenance Company of 5 Canadian Service Battalion must augment the current capacity of its On Job Training (OJT) Centre. The Centre, which presently offers training only for vehicle technicians, will be reconfigured. It will train Tand coordinate training for the four trades of the Electrical and Mechnical Engineering (EME) Branch – vehicle technician, materials technician, electronic-optronics technician and weapons technician – and will do so by dedicating to the task all of the resources required to obtain national objectives in technician training by December 2011.

tural aspects of training will assure the future produc- the organization tivity of the EME workshops. Training are all subjects focused on the individual and his or her now being stu- capacity to learn will be the primary ef- died with a view fort. Beginning immediately, a systemic to determining approach rather than a group-based and planning approach will be applied in order to de- the most effi- velop our technician-soldiers and make cient approach them knowledgeable, experienced and to meet the hardened craftsmen. technical standards. This complete restructuring will involve a reallocation of existing resources. To The replace- date, each of the four EME trades has ment and upgra- trained its craftsmen independently, ding of vehicle without necessarily looking to share fleets, the repla- or synchronize educational resources. Craftsman Philippe Morin tests and adjusts a C3 telescope cement of obso- They will now need to consider pos- with advice from Mr. Jean-Pierre Lemire. lete equipment sibilities for the exchange of teaching or simply the materials such as the hydraulic training Out of this mission was born Op HARAS. acquisition of new equipment to allow equipment to meet the needs of vehi- “Haras” is a French word meaning “stud the troops to carry out their work in the cle and weapons technicians, electronic farm”. The horse holds an important field require that the Branch conduct white boards that can be shared among place in the tradition and lore of the a bottom-to-top review of the EME Branch, and a stud farm is an es- validity of its technician training tablishment where selected horses are concept. In order to provide ab- kept for the reproduction and improve- solute support to the Army, a ment of the breed. technician must be fully confi- dent and have top-notch training The restructuring of the Centre and its behind him. In an environment resources will take place according to a where spare parts are increasin- carefully thought out concept. A series gly rare, it is even more critical to of gradual changes will be implemen- review the level of training of our ted in the course of the year ahead, in technicians to ensure that they order to define the needs and reorient do not simply fall into the mind- the structure of the organization un- set of “parts replacers”. The abili- til the final results is achieved. A com- ty to judiciously diagnose needs is plete review of the needs of the four critical in that it minimizes down Craftsman Vincent Bard explains the se- trades has been ordered, and will be time as well as replacement costs. quence of steps to follow for inspection of a followed by a coordination of plans for For technicians, the priority must 25mm automatic gun to his instructor, Mcpl the company as a whole. The current in- remain on developing skills and Dany Faucher. frastructure, the availability of training competencies, rather than com- personnel, the risk that training could promising these aspects by subjecting the different trades, and multimedia negatively affect productivity, the avai- them to the demands of productivity classrooms. lability of funds, and the required struc- too quickly. Keeping the priority on

6 Theme : EME and training

Each trade has its strengths in how it applies and manages the training of its technicians. Is the monitoring of stu- RESERVE EME dents’ progress effective and could it be more so? Synchronizing the movement of craftsmen through training in LFQA TECHNICIANS TRAIN IN units, central monitoring of the quality of instruction received rather than a REG FORCE UNITS quadruple chain of certification, a clear By : Capt. Ward Krecsy, OIC, Area Reserve Combat Service Support Coordination separation between productivity and Cell (ARCCC) training to ensure that trainees have he opportunity to describe our success in training EME Reserve technicians the time to fully develop their abilities, Tcouldn’t be missed since training is the theme of this EME Journal. Over the centralized and standardized person- past three years, the Area Reserve CSS Coordination Cells (ARCCC) in each LFA, nel administration, and finally a future have been working hard both within their areas and collectively, to enhance the cohesion of technicians under one hat are all factors that require a review of number and quality of EME Reserve technicians in the Army. Each ARCCC is res- the procedures in place. ponsible for managing the trades training for all EME Reserve technicians and officers throughout their career and are essentially, the de facto career managers. The future looks promising, the inten- tions are legitimate and, knowing how We have had good success increasing trade. Reg Force units have also been the EME Branch operates, success is the number of Reservists attending instrumental in this success. assured. With this approach, the crafts- courses at CFSEME by roughly ten Along with the quality of training our men of LFQA EME Branch will soon take per cent in each of the previous three Reg Force units provide, having QL4 on a whole new look, and the workshops will reap the benefits.

EME guild

The EME Branch identified the need to preserve and protect our proud heritage. From this, the EME Guild Cha- ritable Trust was created and will be funded through donations from former members and current supporters of the Branch.

• Remembrance Program • Memorabilia • History Cpl Wesolowski is inspecting a .50 Cal QCB Heavy Machine Gun, during his Wea- • Education pons Technician skill maintenance training at CFB Esquimalt, TEME. Cpl Weso- lowski is a member of 39 Svc Bn, 11 Svc Coy. (Photo credit : MCpl Hicks.) For more information, please contact : [email protected] years. The number of Reservists that and Skills Maintenance training run have gone through their QL4 training in Reg Force units allows Reg and Res has only moderately increased but the members to work side by side more of- biggest success has been with the qua- ten, enhancing mutual respect and dis- lity and consistency of training due to pelling common misconceptions each a very good training arrangement we component has toward each other. In have with our Regular Force units wi- LFWA we have made steady progress thin LFWA. As well, over the past two with this as has been indicated by the years, funding has been provided by enthusiasm our Reg F units have shown the Army G4 for Skills Maintenance to assist in the trades training for our Training to allow Reservists to work a Res F trades people. few days each year immersed in their

7 Theme : EME and training

Our main QL4 training units are ASU Wainwright, 1 Svc Bn and ASU Shilo. They have maintained extremely high Expedient fielding standards while providing a military training environment that draws out requires expedient the best in our Reservists. The dedication and planning ability of the QL4 training staffs in these units has been training – The Leopard 2 nothing short of superb. Taking into ac- count that these units have only sixty experience five training days to have the students By: Capt Philippe Guidoin, Tank Replacement Project ILSM2 complete all “Essential” POs to be QL4 qualified, is quite remarkable. The qua- n September 2006, following Op MEDUSA, the decision was taken to deploy lity of QL4 training is proven by the suc- Leopard 1 C2 main battle tanks (MBT) to Afghanistan. Soon after their arrival, cessful pass rate our students demons- Iit was realized that a more robust capability was needed to satisfy the opera- trate on their QL5 courses. tional requirements.

Skills Maintenance training is equally This situation led to the lease of 20 Leopard 2 A6M MBTs from Germany and their embraced by ASU Wainwright, ASU subsequent fielding to Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-A) within 6 months. This Chilliwack, TEME Esquimalt, WEME 17 short timeframe created some challenges in that there was no time to develop an Wg, Thunder Bay, ASU Shilo and other institutional Canadian Forces (CF) EME maintenance course. units to a lesser degree. This training is a win-win arrangement for both the Re- With the restraint of time available to establish a course in house, two options servist and the training unit. Depending were explored; either ask a NATO allied army or ask the original equipment ma- on the number of Class A Reservists nufacturer (OEM) to provide Canada with this essential training. For the techni- who are able to make themselves avai- cians, it was quickly realized that the foreign military technical schools were either lable, our funding will often allow them at their maximum capacity (Germany and Netherlands were the two armies that to undergo this training for thirty days were investigated) or we could not have the required throughput of technicians to or more at a time. This adds a trades fulfill our needs. The choice was then made to contract the technical training for person to the shop floor for the trai- the deployed Leopard 2 fleet with Krauss-Maffeï Wegmann (KMW), who quickly ning unit and immerses the Reservists set-up a conversion course for our technicians, already qualified on the Leopard 1 in a military trade environment long C2. Since June 2007, eight courses have been successfully delivered in Germany. enough to adequately refresh their trade skills. The experience showed the advantages and disadvantages of the OEM training. The positive sides of this option were: There is a long way to go in developing this training in LFWA but looking back at a. Our soldiers were trained by technicians either building the Leopard 2 or of- the way things used to be, we are quite fering 3rd and 4th levels of support, leading to a very effective transfer of pleased with how far we have come. knowledge. On some occasions, the instructors had the opportunity to be deployed as field support representatives (FSR) in Afghanistan and developed ARTE ET MARTE a strong understanding of our needs and any training shortfalls leading to course improvement.

b. The OEM had the flexibility to Of course, there is another side to the product. They are now training the quickly include new equipment in medal: Swiss, Singapore, Greek, Brazilian the training like the inclusion of the and Chilean Armies, on a regular new Leopard 2 A4M CAN, a unique a. These courses are very expensive basis thus reducing the availability model within the Leopard 2 family when delivered on the contractor of their instructors. designed especially for the CF, less premises (approximately 1.1 Mil- then a month after the first tank lion Euros per course). c. Special care must be taken when was commissioned. dealing with the provision of the b. The success you have using the vehicles or equipment used for c. Using the OEM finally alleviated the newly bought equipment like the training. When commercial-of- workload on CFSEME, which can be Leopard 2 leads to other countries the-shelf (COTS) vehicles can be a determinant factor for success buying the same vehicle and then provided for training by the OEM, when many new fleets of vehicles competing for training vacancies. standard military pattern (SMP) (RG-31, AHSVS, MSVS, Leopard 2, For example, KMW started to train vehicles are usually provided by etc) quickly enter service. the Canadians and developed their the Army, which creates additional

8 Thème : EME and training

Leopard 2 MBTs.

The Leopard 2 technical training offered by the OEM was a great opportunity for EME soldiers to acquire first hand knowledge on maintenance from instructors who are building the tanks. While this option is too expensive and administratively difficult for steady-state training it provides the opportunity to be very flexible and prevent any domino effect on CFSEME by diverting resources from other courses. EME Technicians from JTF-Afg TF 3-10 working on a Leopard 2A6 in Kollëda, Germany, Sum- This option should be consi- mer 2010. dered for any aggressive procurement process in support administrative work and reduces ment to government agreement of CF operations. vehicle availability. Therefore, not with the German Army, resources only did we require the OEM to such as Leopard 2 Armoured Re- provide some equipment, we also covery Vehicles (ARV), special to- had to acquire, through a govern- ols and test equipment (STTE) and Training impacts of the M777 Par: Capt E. Kortelainen, PMO, LWTH Fielding and Training

he M777 howitzer was introduced into the Canadian Forces in late 2005 specifically for Operation ARCHER. The original buy of 12 guns was an Unforecasted Operational Requirement (UOR) that also included limited integrated Tlogistics support as well as contractor delivered technical training for the Weapons (Wpns) and Electro-Optical (EO) Technicians, which was delivered just-in-time for deploying units.

Training on a M777 howitzer in Petawawa.

In 2007, the Project Management Of- UOR support concept. The introduction the M777C1 ILS concept. fice (PMO) Lightweight Towed Howitzer of the M777C1 imposed unique chal- (LWTH) was stood-up and tasked to lenges on the Army and the aim of this Technical training development for the incorporate a 155mm artillery capabil- article is to describe the development M777C1 was mostly centered on the ity in the Army and improve upon the of the technical training component of Wpns and EO Technicians. The Vehicle

9 Theme : EME and training

Technician will be introduced to the SEME Borden. Training Aids and Infrastructure Gun Tractor, which will be based upon Significant changes between the UOR the family of the Medium Support GMS and the Generation II GMS includ- During the spring and summer of 2011, Vehicle System Standard Military Pat- ing a new 20 Amp Battery Power Man- CFSEME will receive numerous training tern (MSVS SMP) vehicle, as part of that agement (BPM) unit, Detachment Com- aids to facilitate the conduct of train- project’s mandate. The full impact on manders Display Terminal (DCDT) and ing. To support Wpns Technician train- the Materials Technician is still not de- Gun Laying Unit (GLU); and the integra- ing; one complete M777C1 (including fined because of the complexities asso- tion of the Enhanced Position Location GMS), Computer Based Training (CBT) ciated with the M777C1 cast titanium Reporting System (EPLRS) onto the gun software, special tools, bench training and aluminum structures. The interim that enable voice and data communica- aids, and an Interactive Electronic Tech- direction is ‘do not train’ but a review is tions within the gun battery. nical Manual (IETM) will be provided still ongoing and final implementation to the School. The major components will be addressed at a later date. Initial investigation revealed the train- of the EO Technician training include ing delta between the UOR guns and the provision of two fully functional Training Development the M777 C1 were marginal for the GMS mounted on training boards, howitzer system and there was no re- special tools and test equipment, and During the UOR phase Canada was quirement to provide additional train- publications. Training aids for the Op- challenged to keep up with the high ing to previously qualified Weapons tical Fire Control (OFC) will consist of: operational tempo and growing de- Technicians. For the EO Technician, the Quadrants Fire Control M17A1 and mands for M777 technical training training delta between Generation I M18A1; Mount, Telescope and Quad- as more howitzers were delivered to and Generation II GMS is greater and rant M171A1 and M172A1; Telescope the US and Canadian forces concur- requires an additional conversion train- Panoramic M137A2; Telescope Elbow rently. This situation necessitated that ing package to address the differences. M138A1; and Alignment Device M154. contractor delivered training for the This additional training will likely be The facility requirements to adequately Gun Management System (GMS) and done in unit lines as a 3-4 day conver- house the M777C1 and provide the howitzer would occur at the contractor sion course. requisite training space are presently facilities in the United Kingdom and being studied. This infrastructure de- United States respectively. Although As a result of studies carried out in sign process will continue at least until this solution met the need for immedi- 2010 by Director Army Training , Master Full Operational Capability (FOC) is ate operational deployments, it was not Lesson Plans will be finalized and Wpns reached in 2013. Canadian specific and not cost effective. Technician Pilot training will be con- A series of working groups in 2008/09 ducted in fall 2011. The EO Technician A lot of “leg-work” is done in a fast- were tasked to analyze the training Initial Cadre Training (ICT) will be con- pace operational tempo and procure- requirements from an Army and EME ducted during summer 2011 and the ment cycle to ensure the operability Branch perspective. The final Train- intent is to fully introduce the new ma- and maintainability of the M777 C1 ing Needs Analysis (TNA) concluded terial into the EO Technician core train- howitzer. Proper, thorough, purposeful, that EO training was best delivered in ing in 2012. There will be a transition and safe training are the fundamentals Core training and the Weapons training period between the status-quo (techni- to providing the engineering and main- would remain as an Occupational Spe- cians trained by the manufacturer) and tenance support to permit the users to cialty Qualification (OSQ) for the short the steady state (institutionalized train- receive improved capabilities and ac- term (with a view to transitioning to ing provided by CFSEME) to ensure that complish their mission. Core in the long term). The Centre of qualified technicians are in position to Excellence (COE) for both EO and Wpns support M777 C1 fielding in fall 2011. “Arte et Marte” Technician training continues to be CF-

“General Walter Natynczyk, Chief of Defence Staff, laughing with the students and PATs of CFSEME’s Regimental Company on 14 Sep- tember 2010”

10 Theme : EME and training OP ARTE: FROM SIMULATION TO HANDS- ON TRAINING AT CFSEME Par : Capt Dan Cake, Training Development Officer at CFSEME dvanced learning technology will allow CFSEME to bring training back to the Middle Ages. Sounds like an oxymoron, no? Well let us consider how folks were ‘trained’ back Ain the Middle Ages. The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker; all three employed an apprenticeship model. Young apprentices would learn from a master tradesman for many years. Practice was real, feedback was immediate and the apprentice enjoyed a 1:1 instructor to student ratio. What does this have to do with the CF’s training model of today?

Today’s model is heavily influenced by than rote learning specific procedures be a replacement for real hands-on our public education system. The public for the maintenance of specific kit, and the mentorship of a real instructor. model is rooted in developments stem- our technicians now require a deeper What virtual practice supports, how- ming from the Industrial Revolution understanding of the underlying princi- ever, is a situation whereby students and the 19th century. In short, labour ples governing their operation. Techni- can arrive on the workshop floor better requirements for the new factories ne- cians need to be able to apply this gen- prepared for real practice. They can be cessitated a mass increase in the popu- eral understanding and critical think- mentally warmed up. Feedback from lations’ literacy and numeracy skills. An ing strategies in order to solve specific the Armoured School’s employment educational assembly line focussing on maintenance problems. of gaming software on their DP3 Troop the basics of reading, writing and arith- WO’s course substantiates this claim. metic had to be put in place. These critical thinking skills are not eas- Pass rates have improved dramatic- ily facilitated via a lecture format and ally and students claim that when they This was the model that was perfected a 1:30 instructor to student ratio. Yet finally get into their tanks, in the field throughout the Twentieth Century and the requirements that necessitated this environment, they already know what that we are all products of. This model Industrial approach are still a factor. to do. Even with the addition of real en- became an integral part of our soci- CFSEME needs to take in ever greater vironmental factors, stress and fatigue, ety. We came to value our schools so numbers of unskilled individuals and the procedural knowledge is already deeply, that it became almost taboo to send them out the door ready for work. well ingrained. question their efficacy. Comments like: This must be accomplished without a “it worked for me, why can’t it work significant increase in staffing levels. This is what CFSEME is after: more opfor the new students,” have often been What we need is the medieval appren- portunity for practice, more quality heard. ticeship model; what we have is the feedback and a maximization of the nineteenth century assembly line. potential of real practice time. It took But, how well has it really worked? Has many years and some failed starts to ar- it fostered the critical thinking skills re- Fortunately, developments in learning rive at this conclusion. As leaders in the quired of the modern work force? Ad- technology are allowing us to factor in adoption of new technology in the CF, vancements in psychology have called what we have learned from psychol- EME personnel have traditionally been into question many of the assump- ogy and are permitting a more natural open-minded to its incorporation. Un- tions prevalent in the construct of our apprentice-like approach. Through the fortunately what was often missed, in education system. While the delivery infusion of simulation technology and previous attempts to modernize, was of mass information to large numbers through the feedback mechanisms of the need to identify priority targets and of students via the teacher-led lecture computer-based Learning Manage- an under-appreciation for the magni- approach has proven to be an effect- ment Systems, we are now able to offer tude of the effort involved. From those ive means to improve an individual’s our students ample amounts of virtual projects, however, many valuable les- memorization skills, it has done little to (if not real) practice and instantaneous sons have been learned. ensure the fostering of tangible work feedback. Embedded software allows skills. students to re-play their entire practice Under the leadership of the previous session outlining in very specific terms Cmdt CFSEME, LCol Nishika Jardine, Tangible work skills are of the essence what they did right and what they did and continuing under the guidance of nowadays in the EME Branch. The vari- wrong – without the requirement for the current Cmdt, LCol Paul Fuller, the ability and sophistication of technology instructor talk. CFSEME centred project “Op Arte” has present in the Army’s equipment of been initiated. In July 2010, the Op Arte today has necessitated an increase in In spite of this obvious advantage, it is Project Manager was established. Since the skill sets of EME technicians. Rather well recognized that there will never then, Mr Paul Hallett (REME Maj re-

11 Theme : EME and training \ Tradition

tired), has conducted a detailed analy- development detachment at CFSEME in ing the medieval apprenticeship model sis of the requirement and has begun to July 2010 has provided much needed facilitated by modern learning technol- put together an implementation plan horsepower in support of Op Arte. The ogy. The success of Op Arte is vital to that will take us out 4-5 years. procurement of products from e-learn- the continued success of CFSEME and ing companies, such as NGrain, has also to the EME Branch’s continued ability Over that course of time, the continued allowed CFSEME to expedite the pro- to sustain the Army’s equipment. support of the Army Learning Support cess of modernization. Centre (ALSC) and outside agencies will be vital to Op Arte’s success. The In summary, CFSEME is now actively establishment of the ALSC Courseware modernizing its training through adopt-

By : L (Tex) Leugner, C.D., Warrant Officer (Retd)

During the D-Day landings in 1944, chanics, lead by MWO Bob Sutherland, cal Engineers mounted on the right side many tanks, trucks, landing craft and serving with NATO in West Germany, of the hull. other equipment were swamped and recovered and repaired the tank, after sunk before reaching the beach. In which it was named “Bold” and given In appreciation of Canada’s efforts, the 1970, local fishermen snagged their to the town. The tank now contains the town of Courseulles-sur-Mer has instal- nets on a Canadian 1st Hussars Sherman crests of the Canadian Units that par- led a bronze plaque on the tank dedica- tank that had sunk off the Normandy ticipated in the Normandy invasion, in- ting it “to the memory of all Canadian coast during the invasion near the town cluding a replica of the original crest of units that participated in the D-Day lan- of Courseulles-sur-Mer. A team of me- the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechani- dings.”

Production Team Editor-in-Chief: Col S.P. Myers, C.D. The Journal of the EME Branch Managing Editor: Col JF. Prevost, C.D. Branch Formation: May 15, 1944 Editor : S.J. Tremblay Branch Motto: Arte et Marte Branch Information O : Capt J. Motl Branch Patron Saint: Saint Jean de Brébeuf Production Manager: S.J. Tremblay, Lt T. Msirdi Branch Colonel Infography : S.J. Tremblay, Lt T. Msirdi Commandant: BGen (retired) P.J. Holt, O.M.M., Editing Team : K. Randall, Capt J.F. Briand, S.J. Tremblay C.D. E. Lewkowitz, C. Lavoie, P. Ledoux, Branch Advisor: Col S.P. Myers, C.D. M. Thibault, M. Lépine, Capt D. Laberge, Branch Chief Warrant S. Ipperciel Officer: CWO JBA Bergeron, M.M.M., C.D. Distribution: Lt T. Msirdi, Cpl Coulombe

12 Theme : EME and training Looking Forward Par: MCpl Steve McIntyre, Vehicle Technician Instructor Vehicle Company (CFSEME) nyone who has passed through the hallways of CFSEME Vehicle ACompany in the last two years would have noticed an increased - stu dent population in the building. Most recently, in the last six months, there have been more students in training here at CFSEME than there has been in the past ten years.

Prior to this year, there was a fear that Vehicle Company, but this has not been One thing that remains consistent with a decrease in EME enrolment, low the case. Armed with the knowledge here at CFSEME is the need for man- course numbers and a high retirement that this is a step in the right direction power. CFSEME Vehicle Company now rate, there would be an impact on the for the future of our trade, the instruc- employs over 80 personnel, including health of our trade for the future. In an tors have banded together to ensure military and civilian instructors. Many effort to keep the Vehicle Technician that the students get the support and of the civilian instructors have prior trade strong, we asked for more stu- instruction needed to succeed at the military experience and have proven dents. Our demands did not fall on deaf units. CFSEME also tried to improve the to be a real asset to the school. Some ears as this past summer, the number service for the students which has been of them have been employed here for of students swelled to over 300. Du- a large undertaking. Managing the lives many years. With constant postings of ring the summer of 2010, CFSEME ran of over 300 students has proven, at members in and out of the school and eight DP1 (QL3) courses, two DP2 (QL5) times, to be a logistical nightmare. In various taskings for the military staff, courses, a Leopard course, and a Heavy efforts to subdue chaos, we recently they are the anchors that make sure course. Currently, the forecast for the created a section called the Course the changes put in place are relevant in summer of 2011 and 2012 to meet Supervising Officer (CSO) Section. CSO the following years. the Army’s demands will promise even Section is dedicated to taking care of more students; thus our enrolment the students’ needs whether they are Upon reviewing the facts of these re- rate will be even higher. administrative or course related issues. cent changes, it can be said that the “Army Tempo,” as every one knows, is In orderto accommodate the amount of New course curriculum and course moving at an incredible pace. Consi- students in the school, CFSEME has had doctrines have also been implemented. dering the amount of EME soldiers co- to make some alterations. Some of the Since its adoption by CTC Gagetown ming to CFSEME Vehicle Company for changes have included increased class and the Army, the new doctrine has for- training, it is imperative that we ensure sizes, the reallocation of classrooms ced us to change our way of conducting our tradesmen are properly trained (every room in the school is now being business. We no longer get to decide and educated now more than ever be- utilized) and the delivery of instruction. course sizes and duration. As dictated cause of the advancements in techno- With all of these changes, the instruc- per the requirements of the doctrine, logy. Although CFSEME’s new senior tional and support staff members have we now need to meet the new quota NCOs and instructional staff have taken had the daunting task of remaining demands. Although DP1 courses have new directions to meet the problems flexible and resourceful while still main- been cut down to 125 days of instruc- head on, the reality is that the burden taining the level of consistency that is tion, it does not mean the courses are of ensuring that the EME soldier is well synonymous with the Canadian Forces. any easier. In fact the college level ins- educated, professional, and ready to It was only with the support of the truction, the heavy electronics-based take their place as the next generation Combat Training Center as well as the material and the pace of delivery has of techs, falls upon us all. EME Branch Staff, that CFSEME could proven to be more challenging than meet the requirements to facilitate the the courses of the past. Regarding the increased student throughput. DP2 course, they have also been cut down to just 55 days. In order to cope CFSEME also had to change the class with the decrease in days of instruction, sizes. Prior to this influx of people, the we now rely on the more experienced class sizes were 12 students, now, the students to demonstrate skills to the average class size is 24. You would think younger students and the results have that these numbers would overwhelm been good. the instructional staff here at CFSEME

13 Theme : EME and training REGIMENTAL COMPANY TODAY By: Lieutenant W.K.R. Lee, Administration Officer, Regimental Company s the starting point and training facility for all EME Officers and NCMs, Regimental Company provides the best possible common non-technical training along with realistic field oriented training for students. For those who have Anot been back to Regimental Company for a while, following is a brief description of the company.

PERSONNEL AWAITING TRAINING PLA- termediate Training Platoon (ITP), pro- dents may be able to undergo OJE, a TOON viding courses for all NCMs, less DP4. previously rare occurrence. The remo- DP1 and DP2 concentrate on field skills, val of AJOSQ training (ATEC and AORG, The transformation from Post Recruit convoy ops, navigation and MRT drills. currently online courses), and other Education Training Centre to Personnel DP3 teaches the first level of supervi- embedded courses such as the Civilian Awaiting Training (PAT) Platoon of fu- sion of a workshop, namely the future Management course, General Safety ture EME technicians and officers is the EME sergeant. The new challenge of Officer course and WHMIS training biggest change to Regimental Company CET is the development of all the new contributed greatly to the decrease in that most returning personnel would pilot courses for DP 1, DP2 and DP3 and training days for the combined DP 1 notice. With over 320 EME PATs at this the addition of DRMIS training. DRMIS EME Officer course. time, it seems like we are managing a will increase the training time for all PAT Battalion. PATs do a number of acti- CET pilot courses in the future resulting There are some very exciting additions vities throughout their stay at CFSEME, in course schedules that may overlap and changes to the course which will in- including but not limited to: and leave little room for course delays crease the quality of training at the DP1 or student retests, particularly for the EME Officer level. Major changes inclu- a. Prerequisite training for trade spe- DP1 and DP2 courses (17 courses an- de the approach to instruction and as- cific Development Period (DP) 1 nually). However, the quality of the sessments, which will now be focused training (POET, BQM(L) BOT); students that are sent to DP1 training on analysis, provision of advice, group b. Employment While Awaiting Trai- has significantly increased since they discussions and deliverables in the ning (EWAT), which is not trade re- are receiving solid prerequisite training form of presentations, briefing notes lated; from PAT Pl. and memorandums, as would be seen c. On the Job Employment (OJE), in a maintenance organization. More which is trade related; EME OFFICER TRAINING emphasis will be placed on unders- d. Skills maintenance, including sol- tanding and influencing production, dier skills and ranges; and Similar to NCM training, EME Officer in both a first and second line organi- e. Professional development, such as training is also undergoing significant zation. Students will also receive more trips to trade and military related changes at the DP 1 level. A Qualifica- training on the leadership and mana- locations. tion Standard Writing Board (QSWB) gement of a maintenance organization was held in December 2009, followed on deployed operations, which will see PAT Pl staff manage the day to day ac- by a Training Plan Writing Board (TPWB) the evolution of the legendary Exercise tivities of these soldiers. This involves in February 2010, and the changes that DIRTY HANDS. Field training will focus conducting interviews, managing ap- resulted from both of those are causing not only on a first line Maintenance Pla- pointments, preparing students for a shift in the approach and delivery of toon, but also on a Vehicle or Artisan courses, conducting and supervising EME Officer training. A training deve- Platoon in a Maintenance Company, training and activities, and solving com- lopment team has been formed to im- and a platoon sized Forward Support plex administrative issues. plement the required changes to the Group as part of a Battle Group or Na- former Phase III and Phase IV courses. tional Support Element. Their scenarios As the only Regular Force Army unit Although not the most significant, the will include work orders, parts requests in Borden, as part of the Combat Trai- most noticeable change is certainly the soldiers’ personnel issues, and similar ning Centre, CFSEME is tasked with a decrease in duration of the combined real life scenarios, including full-spec- variety of activities in support of visits course. Whereas the old Phase III and trum operations in the contemporary and exercises. PAT Pl absorbs many of Phase IV courses were a combined 120 operating environment. these tasks, allowing staff and courses days, the new DP 1.1 and DP 1.2, as to carry on with training. they are now called, are a combined 85 STANDARDS days. TRAINING FOR NCMS The shortened course length has two Regimental Company Standards en- main effects: all training can occur in sures that the training conducted fol- The Common EME Training Platoon the summer and is thus more accessi- lows the Training Plan (TP). They are (CET Pl) is now, in conjunction with In- ble to the Reserve Force; and all stu- responsible for standards in briefings,

14 Theme : EME and training / What’s up end course reviews (ECRs), and the pre- room. With all the incoming students Anyone who loves a challenge, enjoys paring, administering, and marking of (Phase III, Phase IV, EAOC and DP1 - 4) busy days influencing the future sol- all Skill Knowledge Exams (SKEs). They on top of the PATs, the three clerks wi- diers and officers of the Branch and are currently in the process of upda- thin the Orderly Room are administra- wants to live in a nice area of Ontario, ting course material and conducting ting over 400 files at a time. speak to your career manager. pilot courses. Additionally the Senior Technical Instructor is also tasked with HQ conducting NCM DP4 training once per year using a variety of guest lecturers. The increases of throughput on all CET courses and the extra workload gene- ORDERLY ROOM rated by PAT Pl have combined to make Regimental Company a busy and vi- Although the Orderly Room remains brant place to work. There is a constant where we all fondly remember it when need for CFTPO taskings to fill gaps in clearing in (or out) from courses, the manpower and to increase staff num- implementation of PAT Pl created a big bers during the busy period of Phase III impact to the staff within the orderly and Phase IV officer training. 202 Workshop Depot – an EME unit… for the last 65 years!!! By : Sophie J. Tremblay, Communica- tions Officer (i), 202 WD

s there an EME member who does not know of 202 Workshop Depot? IWho does not know that we are the only 3rd and 4th line unit within the CF doing 3rd and 4th level maintenance for Land Force equipment? Did you know that we are celebrating our 65th anniversary this year?

It was in 1942 that the first maintenance workshop, consisting of technicians Paul Grenier, 202 DA form the Royal Corps of Military Sto- res «Ordnance Mechanical Engineers turions, and finally the Leopard series, projects, repair and refurbishment of (OME)», saw the light of day within as well as the M113 vehicles. We have equipment. the 25th Central Ordinance Depot (25 also worked on communications sys- COD). «The Workshop of the Royal Ca- tems such as the RT-524, ANGRC-106, Our technical excellence and our team- nadian Electrical and Mechanical Engi- ANGRC-5121, fire control systems, the work, will allow us to be: «ready to act, neering - RCEME» became, on October radar MVI. We have excelled in repai- regardless of the weapons system» for 1st, 1946, the 202 Workshop and then ring equipment from pieces of mobile many more years past our 65th anni- was renamed 202 Workshop Depot in artillery M109 through to the AHSVS versary and will position us well to face 1966. and the M777 of today. the changing face of Land Force Equip- ment. Since our beginnings, we have repaired 202 WD is currently the repair center and manufactured equipment of va- for more than 2,000 items, components Long live 202 Workshop Depot! Primus rious types, from tanks to turntables, and equipment. We are recognized as a inter pares! from Sherman tanks, through the Cen- centre of excellence for life extension

15 Learning and action OP NANOOK 2010 – Training in Resolute Bay By: Lt. Edward Speicher, SO EME peration Nanook is Canada’s annual joint exercise in the High Arctic. This year’s Whole-of-Government operation included all three elements of the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard, and several other government de- Opartments. The exercise which encompassed elements of foreign services for the first time in 2010 included the US Navy, USCG and Royal Danish Navy and focused on joint operations and interoperability.

port Element (JTFSE) closest store is 1500 km away and the who provided eve- runway is shrouded in impenetrable rything from food fog. and fresh water to camp transporta- The area in and around Resolute was tion, maintenance of chosen for the exercise due in part to its equipment and even climate and remote location. The chal- communications lenges faced by operations in this part back home. Though of Canada are extreme, as illustrated. the JTFSE was com- NASA uses neighbouring Devon Island posed of personnel to simulate the vast frozen landscape from many different of the surface of the moon. The expe- trades, the OC, Maj rience gained in operating in this type Cairnes, an EME Of- of environment is essential to planning ficer, ensured that successful operations in the future. In the EME spirit of one particular instance, frigid tempe- efficiency, flexibility ratures and powerful winds gusting up and optimism reig- to 85 km/h taught the JTFSE that tents Personnel instructing on survival techniques as taught to ned supreme. with rounded corners were far superior them by the Rangers. to those with flat faces. The operation ran from 3 August Providing support to through to 26 August 2010 and was a large group of soldiers, sailors and air- Cpl Tremblay, the only Vehicle Techni- meant to demonstrate Canada’s Arctic men can prove challenging in any thea- cian employed in the JTFSE, showed his disaster relief capabilities and to pro- tre. Providing that same support in one EME colours by asking if there was any- mote Canadian sovereignty in the Eas- of the harshest climates in the world, in thing he could fix as soon as his boots tern and High Arctic. a place where the infrastructure is ei- hit the ground. The sole source for the ther non-existent or too fragile to risk repair of tent heaters, he quickly be- Joint Task Force Northern established crippling, and with the added burden came a favourite around the camp; the a forward headquarters on Cornwallis of several hundred soldiers purchasing camp cooks, who produced wonders Island near the town of Resolute, Nu- supplies is even more so. Problems from the back of a kitchen trailer, were navut. The land contingent consisted such as broken heaters and generators, a close second. As most of the facilities of the Arctic Response Company Group supply shortages and even inclement used for maintenance were on loan - members of the Primary Reserve – and weather, which might otherwise be from the Polar Continental Shelf Pro- elements from the Canadian Rangers. dismissed as minor issues, can become gram, no EME flags flew in the arctic Their efforts, in addition to those of show-stopping affairs. Unforeseen ope- but this would ultimately prove to be a the Air and Maritime contingents, were rational requirements involve more positive thing as it meant no EME flags supported by the Joint Task Force Sup- than a trip to Canadian Tire when the were lost in the high winds.

EME Website: Want to know more about the EME Branch? Visit our website : www.emegembranch.net

16 Learning and action New Start for EME Advanced Officer Course Par : Maj (Jens) Kull, DSSPM 4, DSSPM, DGLEPM

fter a one year hiatus, and some ada (GDLS-C) and ARMATEC in London, education and invest in the future of significant adjustments to course Ontario. This visit provided students the younger generation by funding an Amaterial, CFSEME conducted the with a first hand appreciation of cutting additional bursary of $540 under the EME Advanced Officer Course (EAOC) edge technology for soldier and equip- umbrella of the 2011 EME Fund Bursary Serial 018 from 24 Jan to 18 Feb 2011. ment survivability. In addition, students program. gained a better understanding of the Twenty-three young and clever EME Of- DND-Contractor relationship and an in- On behalf of the course participants ficers from as far West as Vancouver, BC sight into the future of integrated ser- and DS, we would like to thank all the to Gagetown NB on the East coast, took vice support concept. Guest Lecturers and those who sup- part in this senior EME Officer training. ported EAOC 018. As well as convey Every one of them showed up ready During this session it was also decided our best regards and successes to the for the challenges of becoming better to reinstate the tradition of a course future recipient of the bursary in his or equipment managers at the strategic gift. After much consideration, the her endeavours. Arte et Marte! and operational levels. To achieve the course participants decided to promote

The EME Branch, represented by Col Myers and CWO Bergeron, the Branch advisor and Branch CWO, receiving a check for the EME Branch Fund. transformation from equipment main- tainer to equipment manager the students focused on Command, Resource Management and Project Management activities within the LEMS, as well as the core business of DGLEPM sub-or- ganizations.

The course comprised of lectures, discussions, and exercises by the Directing Staff (DS) and an array of guest speakers as subject matter experts. One of the highlights consisted of industry tours of General Dynamics Land Systems Can-

17 Learning and action Field Time for Officer Candidates at CFSEME By: 2Lt Southcott, Ph III EME student, Regt Coy, CFSEME n July 2010, the students of EME Officer Phase 3 (serial 0026) at the Canadian Forces School of Electrical and Mecha- nical Engineering (CFSEME) embarked on the daunting month-long field portion of the course. Prior to Phase 3, most Icandidates had spent, at most, 5 continuous days in the field. With only a day or two between exercises reserved for reconstitution, the month of July was, for some, something of a dread. The course was to deploy from 05 to 09 July on Exercise (Ex) DEMO DIGGER, from 12 to 15 July on Ex TRIAL RUN, and from 17 to 29 July on Ex DIRTY HANDS. Beginning the morning of 05 July, the course bussed to nearby CFB Meaford for a day-long introduction to operating crew-served weapons. Stopping first at the SAT range, students re-familiarized themselves with C6 handling drills. From there, they proceeded to the machine gun range, where they spent the remainder of the morning firing belts of 7.62 mm at tank hulls, oil drums, and Figure 11 targets. Regrouping at the adjacent ordnance range, many now with sore shoulders, candidates spent the afternoon firing the 84 mm Carl Gustav. Each was allotted two concrete training rounds and 1 HEAT round; dramatic ex- Officer Candidates in an All-Round Defence position during a Road Move. plosions ensued. Photo taken by: 2Lt R.H. Haddad From CFB Meaford, the course deployed Over the next four days, on Ex TRIAL the latter being for the Maint O. Fol- to Forward Operating Base (FOB) A in RUN, students had opportunities to lowing a brief change-over between the CFB Borden training area in order practice much of what they’d lear- Maint Os, platoons would begin pre- to commence Ex DEMO DIGGER. Fol- ned on the previous exercise in preparing for the next move. When not lowing a fairly shaky first convoy, stu- paration for formal evaluations. Most being evaluated, candidates passed the dents established a platoon Command of what they’d done the following time digging trenches and rigging ca- Post (CP) complete with working com- week – platoon sitings, MRT calls and mouflage netting to vehicles – two ac- munications (comms) and semi-esta- vehicle convoys – remained the same; tivities they would become intimately blished defensive positions. Over the now, however, platoons would move familiar with in the time to come. The next four days, in sections, candidates in formations to and from the sites two-week ordeal came to a close with rotated through four teaching stands: and occupy them, the student Mainte- a hasty move under a hail of enemy siting a maintenance platoon, respon- nance Officer (Maint O) preparing and artillery, followed by the occupation of ding to a Mobile Repair Team (MRT) call, implementing a defensive plan. Again, a new site just down the road. The un- leading a vehicle convoy, and providing students faced various OPFOR scena- suspecting “enemy,” upon the students’ FOB security. Each stand presented dis- rios (some memorable) while en route arrival to the improvised site, was met tinct challenges: visualizing the trench to and in position – one in particular with overwhelming machine gun fire layout of a platoon site with a sizeable comes to mind in which 2Lt Lutes was and the squeal of tires as the course flank, travelling tactically to the loca- appointed Administration Company moved back to the base. tion of the source of a Repair/Recovery Commander following the eradication Request (RRR), coordinating the move- of the Company CP by a vehicle-borne Field-time miseries were soon forgot- ment of a packet (6 to 10 vehicles, grou- IED (Improvised Explosive Device) let in ten as students feasted on take-away ped within a convoy) with intermittent by unnamed out-route sentries. burgers and bedded down on cots for comms, and responding to creative eight-hours of forced rest. However, Opposing Force (OPFOR) scenarios. De- On 17 July, laminated “aide-memoires” select students were invariably heard parting FOB A the evening of 09 July, in and clipboards in hand, students left, christening the ground in their sleep for a third of the time it took to arrive, the refreshed and energetic from a 24-hour nights to follow. students spent the weekend preparing leave of absence, on Ex DIRTY HANDS. for the next exercise. Evaluations lasted from 4 to 18 hours,

18 Learning and action Changing doctrine for new missions By: MCpl Pilon, Maintenance Company 5 Canadian Service Battalion he dynamic environment of the Afghanistan theatre of operations creates extremely complex conditions for vehicle recovery. Army purchases of new equipment add another dimension. How does one go about training a mainte- Tnance company to meet the new challenges and missions it will be faced with? This is what WO Drouin’s mentoring anical and auxiliary systems team was asked to do with personnel of the main vehicles found from a variety of units at Valcartier Gar- in the theatre of operations, rison for the force build up of the Na- including the Leopard 2A4, tional Support Element (NSE) Mainten- EROC suite and the AHSVS. ance Company assigned to Joint Task They then spent four days Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) 3-10 on receiving in depth train- Operation ATHENA. ing on the maintenance vehicles, familiarizing them- The task began with the formation of selves with the winches of a six-person mentoring team. These the Mobile Tactical Vehicle members of the EME Branch, drawn Repair (MTVR) and the from various units of the garrison, had Bison Mobile Recovery Vehicle (MRV), arios. Thanks to the experience and the all been all part of either the NSE or the the crane of the HMRT vehicle and the variety of positions held by the mentors Battle Group (BG) of JTF-Afg 1 09 on Op AHSVS wrecker, as well as the 10-tonne in theatre, they were able to reproduce ATHENA. At the team’s first meeting, HMRT and towing vehicle. It was es- six scenarios that they had personally an action plan was drawn up. The plan sential for us to familiarize the less ex- experienced, of varying degrees of diffi- covered training on mission-specific perienced vehicle technicians as well as culty and all characterized by the same equipment and lessons learned dur- the auxiliary trades with the operation high level of realism. The trainees’ ing JTF-Afg 1 09. Our team’s mandate of this equipment. In theatre, auxiliary presence of mind and their sense of ur- was divided into three phases. The first trades are regularly called on to carry gency were put to the test in complet- phase was the development of training out vehicle technician tasks. This was ing the scenarios in a minimum of time. plans, and consisted of several stages: greatly appreciated and will certainly The trainees had the opportunity to the preparation of classroom lessons have positive impacts during their de- develop techniques and to learn about and towing scenarios, as well as the ployment and future operations. These the capacities of the new vehicles that acquisition of mission specific equip- familiarization days ended with Power- we are now using in theatre. This train- ment such as a Leopard 2A4, a tow- Point lessons concerning life on the for- ing allowed the participants to benefit ing vehicle and a Heavy Mobile Repair ward operating bases (FOBs), the rapid from the experience that their instruct- Team (HMRT) vehicle of the Armoured reaction force (RRF), newly modified ors had gained directly on the ground in Heavy Support Vehicle System (AHSVS) procedures for the Repair & Recovery the theatre of operations. class, and vehicles of the Enhanced Request (RRR), and towing scenarios Road Opening Capability (EROC) suite. actually carried out by Branch techni- The mentoring team was made up of There was another challenge to be met: cians during JTF-Afg 1 09. WO Drouin, MCpl Fleury, MCpl Pilon, we wanted to use equipment that was MCpl Geoffrion, MCpl Bérubé, MCpl representative of that encountered in The final phase was reserved exclu- Richard and Cpl Brisson-Bélanger. They theatre. With the assistance of Defence sively for vehicle technicians deploying prepared, trained and offered guidance Research and Development Canada with the NSE and BG of JTF Afg 3 10. to EME Branch members on the NSE (DRDC), we were able to recuperate This phase was based on the experi- and BG on how to perform numerous vehicle carcasses that were still in excel- ence acquired by the six members of repair and recovery tasks and requests lent condition to serve as training aids, the mentoring team, mainly in relation that they will encounter during their de- as well as all of the material required to complex towing requests encoun- ployment for JTF Afg 3 10. The lessons for classroom instruction. tered during JTF Afg 1 09 that no mem- learned will enable them to respond to ber of the team had ever dealt with the requirements of Exercise MAPLE Because some members of JTF-Afg 3 10 in training. The DRDC equipment was GUARDIAN in Wainwright and above all did not have operational experience on used to make these towing scenarios to be better prepared for their mission the new vehicles, phase two consisted as realistic as possible. This phase was in Afghanistan. For their sustained ef- of realistic and progressive training on very demanding for the trainees but forts, WO Drouin was awarded the EME these new vehicles for all trades within equally so for the mentors. Ten to elev- Branch Advisor Coin of Excellence and the EME Branch. In this phase, the par- en-hour work days in overwhelming his team received the CO’s Coin for JTF ticipants received training on the mech- heat added to the realism of the scen- Afg 3-10.

19 Learning and action The Tracked Light Armoured Vehicles - (TLAV) Technical Assistance Visit -

(TAV)By: Cpl (Fitz) Fitzgerald, PJ Mat Tech anada’s largest and longest multi-element, multi-trade, TAV to date was assembled 10 May 2010. None of us were fully aware of what we were getting ourselves into. After we arrived, our first task was to set up a fully operational Cshop from nothing, which, in itself, was quite a task. Even before the shop was set up, the tools were unpacked or we knew what we were even doing, the production line had started. (The team at Kandahar airfield)

Progress was slow, the work was hard, rocket in our direction right in the our home away from home which at and the days were long and hot. Even middle of his performance. that time was much cooler throughout though the majority of us had never felt the day than before, most noticeably heat like that let alone worked hard in With August being a shortened work in the mornings, Brrrr. Jet lag, early it, we put all that aside because we had month (HLTA), we had only 2 weeks to mornings and stories to tell, the TLAV had a duty and a job to do. We were reach the goal set out to us by Command TAV was right back at it working hard. there to help save lives. Every vehicle and we wanted to reach that goal. That Getting back into the swing of things we completed was another vehicle for goal is what drove us, or maybe it was didn’t take long. With things moving at the troops. the fact we would get to go home soon, full swing again and the addition of a either way we put our heads down and few more mods to the TLAV, the largest The weeks flew by for everyone and got the job done. The couple of weeks of which being the Rubber Track, and with only a few weeks till “Home Leave of work were productive, some of our the ever approaching deadline to finish Travel Assistance (HLTA)” everyone best to date, completing 49 of the 86 what we were there to do. The pressure gave their best effort to complete as vehicles at that point, but the past 3 was felt among all as the deadline of 15 many vehicles as possible which, in months of long hard days wear even Nov 2010 was looming. We were on that heat, was quite an achievement. the strongest thin and it was time for track to finish but it was tight. When We celebrated Canada Day at the New a well deserved break. With our goal we completed all the survivability Canada House with beers (only two) and reached we embarked on adventures upgrades to these vehicles, we rested cheers. Members from the TLAV TAV back home or abroad knowing that the easily knowing our important mission competed in a boat race and received soldiers fighting the fight were safer in the big picture was complete and honourable mention for the design of every time they mounted up, strapped the soldiers using these vehicles were their boat, which of course looked like in, and went to do what had to be done. much safer than before. a TLAV. We laughed as the likes of Scott Harris, a Canadian comedian, made The good times of seeing family and Arte et Marte us feel as if we were home. The songs friends or travelling to foreign lands and sounds of the 2008 Canadian Idol now in the past and summer at its end, winner Theo Tams must have upset we all strapped on our boots and put the Taliban because they shot another the uniform back on. We were back to

20 Trade section

Electronic-Optronic technicians Adventures with «PSS» By : Cpl NA Barbary, EO Tech, 1 RCR here are several moments that linger in my memory when I hear the words persistent surveillance Tsystem (PSS). All of them amounting to what would become my tour in Afghanistan as an EO tech in the EME Branch tasked with getting and keeping the PSS’s operational in wartime.

The first was getting a phone call about a week before my scheduled deploy- ment telling me “You’ve been pulled off your chalk and loaded on an important course for a new piece of kit that we’re using in theatre, and it starts in a couple weeks”. I thought to myself “Great, I get to learn about a new piece of equipment that we’re going to work on. I was one of a small handful of people in theatre with the course; I’ll be the go to guy for battle group maintenance”. The words that actually came out of my mouth however were a long list of expletive verbs and nouns that are far from appropriate and won’t be stated in this tale.

The course was 5 very long weeks but finally I was on my way to Afghanistan. Then came the fateful moment when I asked when I was going out to work on the Guns... A long pause as my ET and Maint O both looked at each other Cpl NA Barbary, EO Tech, working with the PSS in Kandahar, Afghanistan grinning and then back to me as I was informed that things had changed and scenario with a 200lb sight head hang- such as Sight head thermal and day that I should have “controlled expecta- ing in the sky. I’ve also had to deal with cams and laser range finders. tions” as they liked to call it about what defective cameras and controllers right I was going to be doing for the rest of from the manufacturer and network As I near the end of my tour I can hon- my tour. nightmares. I’ve also seen what hap- estly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed pens when a helicopter flies too close my time here and I’m proud of the part I When I arrived in Afghanistan, there to the balloon tether. One of my most played with this system’s growing pres- was only one system running and the memorable experiences was when I ence in operations with the Canadian rest were grounded for parts, many of discovered that XBOX 360 controllers forces. I wouldn’t trade my experiences which were unavailable. Since arriving work as reliable, tough replacements for anything. here I’ve managed to repair two of the for the PSA joysticks that while ar- systems completely and a 3rd system, mored to the nines have a tendency to although not deployed, is only waiting fail and get broken all by themselves. I for the main camera and the fourth has was able to work with the Directorate miraculously remained serviceable. Combat Support Equipment Manage- ment ( DCSEM ) in Ottawa to catalogue I’ve seen all kinds of problems. There almost all the components used in the were damaged cables on the tow- tower and the balloon, and managed to ers, one crashing down and destroy- create maintenance guides for equip- ing everything on it and one getting ment that would normally have gone wedged up creating a rather difficult back to the manufacturer for repairs

21 Trade section

Materials technicians 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Par : MWO Barry Smith, Mat Pl Comd, CFSEME

ith the weather cooperating, except for the occasional re- Wminder from Mother Nature that it is unsafe to weld in the rain, we were all in fine spirits to get this celebration under way. None could be happier than the participants to the Sea Container inspector course, which had just spent the entire week in class and were, that morning, writing their final exam.

With about a hundred determined Mat Techs, retired Mat Techs and spouses, we embarked on a celebration that few had even come close to, and definitely not surpassed in the past 25 years since the inception of the trade. We were blessed by the presence of the following still very much engaged per- showed them how 18 holes is done. used exclusively in Afghanistan. sonnel: Mers Fedorowich (CWO Ret’d), The OA, Maj Justine Mumford and the Paddy Garland (MWO Ret’d), Gary Cou- AOA, CWO Marc Trepanier did the same Serge St-Antoine (WO Ret’d) dona- zins (CWO Ret’d), Patrick Clark (MWO with the graduating DP1 course. It was ted his time to cook the Pigs, Sgt Paul Ret’d), Nells Heldman (WO Ret’d), and also reported that MWO Choquette Rhodes and the ever quiet MCpl Patrick many other retirees that made the spe- (Chuck to his friends) had hit a golf ball Norman served to all the finest food cial trip. In many ways, these Mat Techs so hard that he peeled the shell open that Base Borden could offer. MCpl Dar- developed the trade and contributed like an onion, but unfortunately it was rell Joudrey had the PA system and kit immense mentoring to the Mat Tech not enough to garner him longest drive. shop set up to sell Mat Tech 25th an- leadership that spearheads trade initia- With the golf over and the meal about niversary items and coins, and there is tives in present day. to be served, there was a surprise vi- still stock left for anyone who is interes- sit from the EME Branch Advisor Col ted. The opening address included a dedica- Shawn Myers, just in time to cut the tion to a now revered 25th anniversary cake. He also set in motion a barrage At the end of the day the celebration Mat Tech banner made by MCpl Louis of speeches noting the accolades of se- had done better than expected; the Lantin; the dedication of an oak framed veral Mat Tech members that recently Br Adv closed out the ceremony with collage of EME hat badges that were were awarded prestigious awards as some parting words and especially donated by Maj Gord Goddard (Ret’d well as numerous examples of Mat Tech thanked the retirees and guests for EME officer and ex Mat Tech) and the ingenuity in support of deployed Ops, their attendance. In addition, a total of investiture by MWO Barry Smith, Mat the army and the CF. He took the time $123.00 were also raised in support of Pl Comd, of the # 441 Mat Tech coin to recognize MCpl Tom Hoggarth, for the “Soldier on Fund” during this put- encased in a frame that was made by being awarded the MSM for his tech- ting competition. This silver anniversa- Mr Fred Martin (Sgt ret’d). All of these nical expertise in Afghanistan, Sgt Bill ry was one never to be forgotten, and items were inducted into Mat heritage Kochie for being awarded a CDS com- when you see the Mat Tech 25th logo and rest at the Pearson building at CF- mendation for his efforts in reacting (designed by Fred Martin (Sgt Ret’d) SEME. to a propane blast in Toronto, and to on bumper stickers you will remember present the EME Coin of Excellence to that the year 2010 was our year to re- The Branch Chief, CWO Alain Bergeron MCpl Jason Papineau for his innovative flect on 25 years in the EME Branch. took some crafties under his wing and design for a Leopard tank roller adaptor

22 Trade section

Materials technicians 25th Anniversary for the Deployed Materials Technician By : WO Steven Slominski on Behalf of the NSE and Sgt Denise Smith on Behalf of the T-LAV TAV

eing far away from the Materials Technician celebration in Borden Bmarking the 25th Anniversary, our deployed Techs in Afghanistan were taking part in the events in mind and spirit. Both the Task Force in form of the NSE, Maint Coy and the T-LAV TAV consisting in total of 17 Techni- cians took the time to mark the occa- sion with a photo op and some cake during the same weekend that the celebration in Borden took place. Our Materials Section consists of nine technicians which were all drawn from CFB Petawawa. With the exception of MCpl O’Hara who’s home Unit is 1 RCR and Cpl Linehan who is from the RCD, the remainder were generated from 2 From left to righ: WO Gibbenhuck A/ET Maint Coy, M. Neil Thiem (CANCAP), Svc Bn. We have grown to be an effect- LCol Marcella CO, NSE, Cpl Grandy, Cpl Schwemler, Cpl Clouthier, Cpl Vaillan- ive team and together with all the rest court, Mcpl O’Hara, WO Slominski, Sgt Smith, Cpl Blount, Cpl Theriault, Cpl of the EME occupations the NSE, Maint Berube, Cpl Fitzgerald, Cpl Le Royer, Maj Cole OC Maint Coy, CWO Patterson Coy have accomplished a great deal to RSM,NSE. Not Present: Mcpl Leblanc, Cpl Brauer, Cpl Doucet affect the Task Force’s mission. the “Sea Bees”. Never turning anyone dedication never waived. The support We have come a long way in our short away and making the impossible pos- we’ve received from our counterparts history as a trade. The Mat Techs that sible, our reputation is growing in ad- on Roto 9 has certainly been crucial to have formed the TF 1-10, NSE, Roto 9 miration. We are proud of our accom- the completion of many of our modifi- tour, have once again done everyone plishments, our satisfaction in helping cations on the T-LAV, solidifying what proud and followed in the footsteps of others, and contributing to the mission we already know, that Mat techs are the tours that preceded it. It has been at hand in such a unique fashion which one big family. a unique opportunity to showcase the is (in my humble opinion) the motiva- extraordinary talents the Materials tion needed to continue fostering this We’re all disheartened that we weren’t Technician can perform in a deployed outstanding occupation. physically able to partake in the Anni- environment during this Anniversary versary events in Borden, but our Esprit year. By : Sgt Denise Smith on Behalf of the de Corps is maintained to a high level as T-LAV TAV we celebrated in our own way. Receiving accolades not only from the Canadian Command structure for out- The eight Mat techs deployed on the ARTE ET MARTE standing performance and ingenuity, T-LAV Survivability Enhancement TAV our TF Allies quickly saw the benefit of are all volunteers from seven different By : WO Steven Slominski on Behalf of our versatility. They rewarded the Sec- bases. The diversity of experience from the NSE tion with letters of appreciation and each person has been essential and in- with a Commander’s Coin from the valuable in overcoming many obstacles. US Navy, NMCB 18 (Naval Mobile Con- The TAV, just over six months long, has struction Battalion) better known as certainly challenged our skills and pa- tience but we always prevailed and our

23 Trade section

Vehicle technicians

National Logistic Vehicle Maintenance Modernization EME Publications Contract (NMC) By: WO L Caouette DLEPS, 4-6-4 By: MWO Leigh Vey, 37 Svc Bn By : MWO JJLF In addition to the recovery solution ar- Rouleau, DLEPS 4-6-2 ticle submitted by EC Brandon-Williams As known, our Land Equipment Ma- The NMC was initiated to reduce the which appeared in the last issue of the nagement System (LEMS), Preventive maintenance gap between the vehi- EME Journal, I would like to take this op- Maintenance (PM) pubs have, until re- cle workload and available productive portunity to write a little on the Logistic cently, been circa of the 1970s, 1980s hours, in order to maintain the operatio- Vehicle Modernization (LVM) project of and 1990s. One could argue that some nal effectiveness of Army units (mainly which will also touch the way EME will reasons for this could have been due Gagetown, Valcartier, Petawawa, Shilo, conduct itself in the future. to the dissemination of the DLERM and Edmonton). cell which managed these pubs, or The lessons learned during our missions the Operational tempo in Afghanistan A long process was started by the draf- in Afghanistan demonstrated some of which fast tracked the procurement of ting of a Statement of Requirement our weaknesses to the CF. One of these equipment at a pace unprecedented in which ended up with three Canadian weaknesses was our older “B” fleet the CF, and now DRMIS… However, it is companies biding on this tender. A two vehicles’ which lacked the mobility and known that the lack of manpower re- (2) year +1 (if required) contract was protection capabilities which hindered quired to frequently update our techni- awarded to Calian in May 2010. the delivery of our essential services on cal pubs have left them in a poor state. the fighting front. The LVM project was On 09 August 2010, the NMC started launched to deal with these issues. There is good news. In the latter part of turning wrenches on the B fleet vehi- 2008, the EME Branch, spearheaded by cles. Many adjustments had to be made DLEPS 4-6 along with DLR are presently DLEPS 4 started a publication revitaliza- along the way as different Provinces formulating the requirements of the tion initiative to address this shortco- have different rules WRT class 3 / DZ next generation of MRTs and wreckers ming and it was then decided that a de- drivers licence and the going live of the (under the Enhanced Recovery Capabi- dicated Pub Revitalization Coordinator Defence Ressource Management In- lity), which will hopefully see the light (or team) was to be re-initiated. formation System (DRMIS) introduced by 2015. The MRT fleet, in the LVM pro- new twists on the agreed reporting ject, must fulfill the task of following I was asked to take on this task in the procedures, however, the amendments convoys while getting to forward repair early stages and have been engaged in were made and it was full steam ahead. locations, regardless of the terrain or the review, research and development threat and achieve this while providing process ever since. It has been a daun- In the beginning of December 2010, enhanced mobility and protection ca- ting task, filled with surprises to say the DLEPS 4-6 went out to all the mainte- pabilities for its crew. least and I refer to the whole initiative nance organisations that house the as “peeling an onion” simply because NMC to conduct a Quality Assurance vi- With the aide and excellent feedback our pubs are so interconnected that sit. The outcome was very positive and received from our EME comrades; the the deeper you dig, the deeper you it was confirmed that we are getting EME Branch, DLEPS 4-6 and DLR can have to dig to see what information is excellent services from Calian. These vi- once again achieve to meet today’s still viable. sits were very encouraging as the plan operational requirements and help re- is to expand the NMC to Wainwright in new pride within the troops by moder- To date, countless pubs have been re- April 2011. nizing their MRT and wrecker assets. viewed and have been earmarked as obsolete to be rescinded, streamlined, This EME Branch initiative in having updated or combined with other equip- civilian employees fill in for the nume- ment of the same category to form a rous vehicle tech shortages pan Canada single publication. As of now, the Pre- has certainly made a difference to dam- ventive Maintenance procedures for all pen the productivity gap until the trade Tactical Support Vehicle (B Fleet), Com- becomes healthy again. bat Vehicles (A Fleet, including Leo- pard), and Mobile Support Equipment (Commercial Fleet including Enginee-

24 Trade section ring Equipment) have been updated and have been assigned new publica- Weapons technicians tion CFTO numbers. The Miscellaneous Equipment, Engine Driven publications are being worked on at the moment and will also be grouped accordingly. Basically, the aim is to have all vehicles The Hair Trigger and equipment supported by LEMS found in four volumes. The LEMS Ins- By : Maj. Robert Haddow , DSSPM 4-5 Team Leader - Small pection policy pub has also been upda- Arms, Soldier Weapon Systems ted and still remains as the over arching document for the LEMS PM. elcome to the third edition Review of Weapons Technician Trai- of the Hair Trigger, the news ning The biggest and most significant change Wcolumn aimed at Weapons to the publications themselves, other Technicians and those with an interest A full review of Weapons Technician than current content, is their layout. in the Trade. training is underway. The review covers These new pubs have equipment spe- all of your training courses at DP1 and cific annexes which can be extracted or Headlines for this edition are: DP2 levels for both Regular and Re- inserted as fleets are removed from or serve Force personnel. Review teams enter service. This format is much im- • New Occupational Adviser are made up of unit technicians from proved and is intended to keep the pu- (OA). MCpl to CWO so if you have comments blications relevant. • Review of Wpn Tech training on the training you have received, track both regular and reserve force down your unit/bde representative and The publication revitalization initiative at DP1 and DP2. pass those on. If you can’t find a local has had very good results to date. Most • CASW contract announced. rep, email your comments to myself or significantly it has uncovered some • OA and AOA visit to western the AOA. Our contact details are on our of the antiquated and outdated ways area OJT centre. Intranet web page at: http://admmat. we have been doing EME Inspections mil.ca/dglepm/dleps/emebranch/en/ for years. LEMS has now come in line New Occupational Advisor tools_ressources_occupation_advisor_ with the Canadian Commercial Vehicle wpns_tech_e.asp Inspection Standards which has chan- Major Rob Haddow, currently the Team ged our PM inspection frequency as a Leader for Small Arms in DSSPM has re- Company Area Support Weapon direct result of this project. From fee- placed Major Bryan Davidson as your (CASW) Contract Award dback I have received, that item alone Occupational Adviser. Major Davidson has been well worth the work. initiated a number of excellent ideas for The contract for delivery of 304 grenade the Trade, such as the Weapons Tech- machine guns and their fire control sys- nician Vision, written with the help of tem was awarded to Rheinmetall Ca- many of you, and this good work will nada Inc in Oct 2010. The system will be continued. Best wishes to Major be known as the C16 Automatic Gre- Davidson for his command tour as OC nade Launcher System and consists of Maintenance Company at 2 Service Bat- a modern high-velocity 40 mm weapon talion. system with an advanced Fire Control

C16 Automatic Grenade Launcher 40 mm weapon with an advanced Fire Control System

25 Trade section / What’s up?

System (FCS). The FCS, which has di- RMC Program Delivers Ammunition rect and indirect firing capability, is Expertise also equipped with full GPS and a laser By: Capt Alex Braden, MEng, QATA, Lightweight Towed Howitzer (LWTH) Project range finder. The C16 system also includes a ground mount group (cradle and tripod), a thermal weapon sight, and multi-purpose and airburst ammunition. The contract also includes the provision of ancillary equipment, lo- gistics containers, tactical containers, project management, system engineering, spare parts, interim support, and training. DSSPM 4 Soldier Weapon Systems will manage the C16 after it comes into service later this year, with first deliveries slated for the Infantry n August 2010, the first class of understanding of the terminal effects of School, the Canadian Forces School of students graduated from the Royal land weapons against a variety of hard Electrical and Mechanical Engineering IMilitary College’s (RMC) pilot pro- and soft targets. Together, the courses and then distribution to units. gram in Advanced Ammunition Engi- illustrated the importance of the sur- neering. This masters-level degree was vivability of army vehicles and the Visit to Western Area OJT Centre established through the efforts of the protection of personnel. The course in Directorate of Ammunition and Explo- weapons design made students aware The OA and AOA visited the OJT centre sives Management and Engineering of the complexity of modern weapons at 1 Svc Bn in the second week of (DAEME) in conjunction with RMC’s systems, including fire control systems. January to see first hand the excel- Department of Chemistry and Chemi- Collectively, these three courses foste- lent work being done to fully qualify cal Engineering. The MEng program in red a greater appreciation for the work technicians so that they are ready Advanced Ammunition Engineering at done by all four EME trades to keep the to deploy to support a wide range of RMC provides the CF with an in-house army’s equipment ready to survive and weapons systems, without immediate capability to produce sufficient ammu- win the fight. supervision, by the end of their time nition engineers to meet the needs of at the centre. In the future we will see the many equipment projects across The year-long program concluded with greater use of OJT to ensure our tech- ADM (Mat). students submitting and defending a nicians have the right skills and expe- project report dealing with an ammu- rience to be fully effective at their first Under the supervision of Dr. William nition-related issue. The topics cove- unit. Andrews, the course-based Master’s red in the first year of the program in- program educates students in eight cluded demilitarizing rocket propellant, subjects: internal ballistics; external the effects of tungsten penetrators on ballistics; the chemistry of energetic ceramic armour, studying shelf-life pre- materials; explosives and explosions; dictions for propellants, and designing a ground-launched munitions; air- and reduced lethality artillery round. Upon sea-launched munitions; weapons de- completion of the Master’s program, sign; and ammunition management. graduates are employed within DAEME, Visits to industry and defence establish- or are posted to a Project Management ments round-out the program, and in- Office (PMO) within ADM(Mat), where clude sites such as General Dynamics they serve as a Qualified Ammunition Ordnance Tactical Systems Canada, GD Technical Authority (QATA). Land Systems, DRDC Valcartier, the Ca- nadian Explosive Research Laboratory, The Masters degree in advanced ammu- and various US DoD establishments. nition engineering is an interesting way to obtain a unique specialty within the From an EME point of view, the more in- EME branch. Graduates help to ensure teresting parts of the program were the that ammunition procured by the CF is courses in explosives and explosions, able to perform reliably and safely, and ground-launched munitions, and wea- they can also go on to serve in various pons design. The first provided knowle- positions throughout the CF that are dge of the physics behind blast events, ammunition and weapons related. while the second developed a greater

26 What’s up? The EME Perspective By: Sgt Baker, IC Wpns, 1 RCHA hat better way to get back to Judgement Day, the 14th of basics and motivate person- September 2010; which tre- Wnel than by holding a chal- buchet was the best would lenge in typical Artillery fashion, thus become clear and the victor the dawn of the First Medieval Wea- would lay claim to the cove- ponry Contest. ted title of champion of the first Medieval Weaponry The contest was simple, each battery Contest. had to build a maximum of 3 trebuchets, 1 per troop, each capable of launching Although all the batteries a projectile, the size of a tennis ball as had excellent designs and far and accurately as possible. There construction, it was LMT were a few other technical limitations (aka “The EME’s”) that rei- that I do not want to mention as it may gned supreme, unveiling cause a dispute over some of the trebu- the engineering marvel chets exceeding the design limitations. that astounded all. They all laughed as we motioned for Initial interest was confined to a few them to move out of the way. They all heights. volunteers who diligently researched laughed as we corrected for wind and and silently constructed their trebu- distance. But the looks on their faces Again EME reigned supreme, as we chet in secret. After the first display of as they watched in complete and utter raced to the 25 meter line, dropped launching tennis balls it seemed the amazement as a tennis ball flew 60 me- 20lb of counterweight, adjusted for interest exploded. Everyone had an ters on our first attempt, was priceless. range and hit the target on the first idea of how to improve the designs in To the sceptics that shouted “it was a attempt securing our place as cham- order to wipe the floor with their oppo- fluke”, we launched our second ball 70 pions of the First Medieval Weaponry sition and so embellishments on their meters “just to rub it in”. Contest. progress became greatly exaggerated trying to psych out the competition. The second portion of the contest was Yes, a great day was had by all, and accuracy. The range was set at 25 me- when the next challenge comes, we EME will never be out done when it ters (the longest throw from the trebu- know that all bets are off and LMT will comes to ingenuity, motivation, and chet with the shortest distance). Little have to defend its title. But until then, technical skill. Research and the ima- did they know that LMT had already LMT will proudly hold and display the ginative ideas of the light maintenance accounted for such events and deve- trophy in their Troop Lines…….. troop (LMT) spawned the ultimate tre- loped a firing table and knew exactly buchet design and what emerged was how far their ball would travel with dif- the Floating Arm Trebuchet. ferent weights and drops from different

July 2010: BGen Patch, DGLEPM and Mr. Grant Corey, Senior Director of North Ame- rican programs of General Dynamics of Land Systems (GDLS) had the honour to turn-over the last LAV-LORIT to be deployed in Afgha- nistan to BGen Tremblay, representating the army. The LAV-LORIT (LAV 3- Operational Requirement Integration Task improvement program was implemented in 2008 to provide the best possible protection for soldiers deployed in Afghanistan. The modifications included belly armour kit for the proctection of crew and passagers, impact siting system and many other. Photo : Roger Saillant, 202 WD Photorama

27 What’s up? / Tradition 9th Annual WO J.R. Muise Memorial Hockey Tournament By: Capt Bob Greer, 2IC Veh Coy, CFSEME nother successful Electrical and In order to accommodate the diverse Mechanical Engineering (EME) calibre of hockey, the tournament was Ahockey tournament has come structured into three divisions: Arte; and gone. The 9th Annual WO J.R. Marte; and Sadie. All three divisions Muise Memorial Hockey Tournament, were well balanced, creating a compe- hosted by the Canadian Forces School titive atmosphere for all involved. The of Electrical and Mechanical Enginee- Andy Anderson Arena was filled with ring (CFSEME), took place at CFB Bor- excitement throughout, especially du- den from 06-10 December 2010. ring the first few days as a snow storm blanketed the region closing the base This year’s tournament was a great suc- to essential services only. As everyone Officially kick off the tournament with cess, with teams from across the EME knows, no matter the weather, hockey the ceremonial puck drop as part of the Branch from CFB Gagetown to ASU will always be a priority. The week-long opening ceremonies. London. Additionally, it was a great tournament concluded with well-mat- Photo: Cpl Edhouse pleasure to host two British teams: ched teams in each division finals. the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Champions. The finals for the Arte Di- Engineering (REME) Stallions from the The battle for the Sadie Division Tro- vision saw CFB Petawawa play against United Kingdom and the British Army phy was between Area Support Unit CFB Gagetown; up until the second pe- Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) Wolves (ASU) London and CFB Kingston. With riod the game was fairly close, and then stationed at CFB Suffield. With a total determination, grit, and a lot of help CFB Petawawa came out strong and of 14 teams, the week was filled with from players from other teams, CFB took a commanding lead, never looking 33 action packed games, excellent com- Kingston came out as the Sadie Divi- back. In the end, it was CFB Petawawa petition, fair play and most importantly sion Champions. The Marte Division with the win and title of Arte Division it provided an opportunity for friends finals saw Maintenance and Logis- Champions. and family of the EME Branch to come tics Support (MLS) Borden, square off together and build upon our camarade- against the REME Stallions. At the end Well done to both the planning com- rie. of a very close game, it was MLS Borden mittee and participants! who earned the title of Marte Division

EME IS EVERYWHERE! Winter 2011 : The EME flag is not only the first to go up, but is now a «guidance beacon»! This flag flew over the control tower at «La Grande» airport to guide 5 Svc Bn OC Maint, Maj D. Matsalla, in his private plane when he visited the Joint Support Element during exercise «Guerrier Nordique» in Northern Québec! Photorama

Call for Articles Edition 2-2011 Theme for the next issue : Changing Equipment Landscape We invite you to send your articles and photos relating to the above mentioned theme and categories (500 words). Please send your photos in a distinct JPEG file format rather than directly in the ‘‘MS Word’’ document used for the text. The de- finition of every acronyms and abbreviations must be included in your text. The photos must be at least 300 dpi (dot per inch), and 5’’x7’’ of size or more to qualify for the cover page. The author of the article and people portrayed in the photos must be identified at the end of the article as follows: Rank, initials, last name, trade and unit. Deadline for submitting your article is July 11th, 2011. We reserve the right to select articles and to modify the texts according to the space available. Internal E-mail: +EME Journal@202DA@Montreal External E-mail: [email protected]

28 Last Call / Photorama Last Call From April 2010 to April 2011 Aucoin, E J “Bob” November 8, 2010 Kingsmill, HAG “Tony” May 19, 2010 Barrett, George J February 9, 2011 Kirby, Carl Bennett April 6, 2010 Bingham, Harry C January 24, 2011 Lalonde, Richard “Dick” December 8, 2010 Boughton, John C April 3, 2011 Laramie, Donald November 21, 2010 Campbell, Donald Norval, CD (CWO Ret.) February 5, 2011 LeBlanc, JAD “Mike” January 22, 2011 Chandler, Robert “Bob” January 10, 2011 LeClair, J B “Joe” October 13, 2010 Dubuc, Daniel June 21, 2010 Marchand, Edmond “Jerry” Joseph March 8, 2011 Fendick, Reginald “Rex” September 22, 2010 McVey, G Stewart February 20, 2011 Fraser, Ian “Sonny” February 16, 2011 Munroe, Harold W August 17, 2010 Garnett, J J “Joe” June 29, 2010 Pickett, John January 9, 2011 Goatcher, James Albert, (CWO Ret.) July 28, 2010 Prince, Thomas WA June 27, 2010 Gordon, Alexander “Al” January 19, 2011 Ramey, Owen M B September 22, 2010 Greene, Mike October 27, 2010 Russell, Donald E February 28, 2011 Grutchfield, Al October 22, 2010 Snooks, Lou October 17, 2010 Hughes, George A June 27, 2010 Stoneman, Todd A August 25, 2010 Hynes, J. “Bernie”, (CWO Ret.) October 22, 2010 St. Onge, George A August 6, 2010 Joyner, E M “Tex” November 5, 2010 Weber, E D “Don” July 5, 2010 Kearns, Paul January 16, 2011 Westergard, Olga “Squirrel” November 24, 2010 King, Ronald L July 29, 2010 Williams, E A “Ernie” September 22, 2010 If you know of anyone who has been missed from this list or if you would like to send a message or condolences to the families please contact the regimental Padre, Rev. Don Chisholm at [email protected] or the Col Cmdt

Final RCEME Apprentice «Green Flash» Reunion and Commemorative Ceremony

The RCEME Apprentice Training Program was a training plan that ran from 1953 to 1968 at the RCEME School in Kingston Ontario. Some 1010 young men joined and about 690 graduated. Where: Kingston and Ottawa, Ontario When: 14, 15 and 16 October 2011 Who: Ex-apprentices from this program, as well as widows, children and grandchildren of these Veterans. For further information, please contact: Website : http://www.emegembranch.net Dan Lyle at [email protected] or 613 828 8879 in the East L. (Tex) Leugner at [email protected] or 403 932 7618 in the West

The 2010 Jiffy Jeep Team toured Germa- ny in October 2010. The Jiffy Jeep (now known as the EME Jeep), is a SMP 1973 M38 Jeep modified to showcase the skill and ingenuity of EME Soldier Technicians across the Country, and now Worldwide! Photorama

29 Awards & Recognition Grumblings from the Vault By : Cpl OB McElroy, Veh Tech, WLEO TEME, 14 Wing Greenwood eing members of the EME Branch, we are often the first to see new kit. We need to be able to maintain it before it can be rolled into battle. We tend to be very informed on how it can be employed, and often times are the solution Bto problems that had not been anticipated. More often than not, we do this, consider it part of the job, and move forward with little recognition. Fortunately for MCpl Frederic Gagnon, this is not one of those times.

Having been deployed with Task Force and knowing that FAUCON, Canadian Helicopter Forces the GAU-21 (.50 Cal (Afghanistan) ROTO 1, it was his res- air model) would be ponsibility to equip and maintain the coming online soon M134-D Gatling gun, as well as the he spent many hours M240-H machine gun, which were fit- with the USMC HC- ted to our CH-146 Griffon and CH-47 53 squadron techs, Chinook helicopters. As these were taking in their les- new pieces of kit in new applications, sons learned and there was a significant amount to learn, further developing and very quickly. To prepare himself for his knowledge of our these tasks, MCpl Gagnon was sent to new systems. Dillon Aero for a maintenance course and spent a significant amount of his As aerial gunnery of own time researching problems and so- this type was a new lutions that other users of this weapon role for Canadian system had uncovered. Tactical Aviation MCpl Gagnon receiving is prize from LCol Létourneau in and Land Weapons the presence of CWO Viel Not only was MCpl Gagnon working on Technicians, MCpl new kit, in a new application, in a poor Gagnon saw fit to nance organization and MCpl Gagnon environment but he was also the I/C of document his successes, failures and took the responsibility to record not a two man EME det. some lessons learned. Hoping to alle- only his successes, but his failures as viate some issues for future techs in his well. Upon his arrival in KAF, MCpl Gagnon position, he decided to publish these discovered that not only was he wi- writings in an email format. As such, his As such, Congratulations MCpl Gagnon thout tools and a shop but parts were “Grumblings from the Vault” ended up on a job exceptionally well done. not available either. In response to this, with a much wider distribution list than he had to quickly develop an affinity he intended, with his notes making it ARTE ET MARTE for diplomacy and scrounging. Foste- to all the Helicopter Squadrons within ring relationships with the British, US 1 Wing. Undoubtedly this helped techs Army, and the USMC was paramount, who would be working on these wea- as they had parts and knowledge. Ta- pons in the future. Lessons learned are king advantage of these relationships key to us moving forward as a mainte-

«Group of EME Seven» in TFA

During the Transition of Authority for the National Support Ele- ment from ROTO 8 to ROTO 9 in Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF- Afg), there were 7 EME Majors on the ground at the same time. The numbers demonstrate the impact that the EME Branch has on the overall operations within JTF-Afg. From left to right, Maj Paul Soulliere (ROTO 8 OC CMC), Maj Gord Edwards (DCO ROTO 8), Maj Alain Brule (OMLT), Maj Dave Beyea (OC Maint ROTO 8), Maj Rob Iley (OC CMC ROTO 9), Maj Mike Cole (OC Maint ROTO 9), and Maj Kevin Fitzpatrick (Tech LO) Photorama

30 Awards & Recognition

THE EME COIN OF EXCELLENCE Coin # 004 Coin # 005 Coin # 006 CWO Jacques Thibault MCpl Jason Papineau WO Eric Drouin

CWO Thibault was an indispensable pillar for the efficiency of all EME Mem- bers for the LFQA during his stay at 5 MCpl Papineau is a highly dedicated For his dynamic leadership and his ex- Svc Bn Maint coy. As the ETSM for soldier-technician who has demonstra- ceptional planning during his contribu- LFQA, he has been the senior techni- ted excellence in ARTE. His innovative tion to the creation and planning of EX cian, omnipresent in all the aspects of spirit prompted him to create a solu- CHIRON APPRENTI and for the techni- the EME Branch, and always there for tion allowing mine rollers to be utilized cal training of Maintenance Coy, NSE, every technician in the sector. He took with the new Leopard A6 MBT fleet de- TF-Afgh 3-10. on extremely vast responsibilities and ployed in TFA. Without MCpl Papineau’s became known not only as the god- unique invention, the tanks would be in father of all LFQA EME technicians, but danger of direct damage from mines Coin # 008 also as the technical authority concer- and IEDs. His adaptive solution has ning the maintenance of the suppor- enabled operations and undoubtedly Cpl Nathan Barbary ted equipment. With his proactive ap- saved lives of deployed CF soldiers. proach and his remarkable energy, he not only overcame these challenges, but he extended his influence to improve the efficiency of the operations of the supported units. He touched the heart of all the members of the EME Coin # 007 branch of LFQA, constantly listening to our soldiers and our supported units. Mcpl Robert Carr Cpl Barbary is awarded the EME coin The EME branch recognizes his crucial of excellence for his determination and contribution to troop morale as well as ingenuity displayed while returning a the effectiveness of the EME branch in mission essential piece of equipment operation and in garisson. back to service in Afghanistan, 2010. The expedient field repair of the Persistent Surveillance Suite accomplished using an X-Box game controller and Coin # 009 downloaded drivers adapted to control the systems surveillance camera returned a critical video feed to the TFK MWO Tim Relihan MCpl Carr was instrumental in the Tactical Operations Center. successful mentorship of KANDAK 5 Maintenance Company. His exceptional leadership, patient instruction and resourceful training initiatives were the key to success. The brilliant effort that Master Corporal Carr provided Coin # 001 – not awarded throughout ROTO 9 has had a direct For unmatched leadership and and positive impact on the ability of Coin # 002 – not awarded dedication to the welfare and morale KANDAK 5 Maintenance Company to of all EME troops through his graphic perform their mandate. design art. Coin # 003 – WO Jeff Morris

31 Awards & Recognition Awards & Recognition CDS Commendation CANOSCOM Commendation Major Berube LCol Regush, LCol Beaulieu

For his professionalism as the Operations Officer of the For their efforts in planning Reconstitution activities in National Support Element in Afghanistan, Feb-Sep 08 preparation for redeployment from Afghanistan. Sgt Facey Major P.S.C. Heebner For his leadership and dedication as the Comd of a Combat For his performance in the planning of the Camp Mirage Service Support detachment in Afghanistan, Mar-May 08 was nothing short of exceptional. Order of Military Merit 2010 From first indications of the imminent closure of Camp Mirage, CWO J.B.A Bergeron CWO J.P. Savoie Major Heebner led Capt J.D. Hill Sgt R.W. Coughlin and coordinated CANOSCOM’s cross- CWO J.E.G. Godbout functional planning efforts. Consequently, the success of Op ADJACENT was EME Branch recipients of the Order of Military Merit. directly related to thorough planning, leadership, and The award was established to provide a worthy means of teamwork, all of which were showcased by Major Heebner recognizing conspicuous merit and exceptional service by in large measure. To that end, he chaired numerous members of the CF, both Regular and Reserve. Operational Planning Groups resulting in synchronize efforts by a variety of specialists through a very detailed MERITOUS SERVICE MEDAL planning process. Indeed, Major Heebner’s achievement was well-above the norm in circumstances that were both ambiguous and time-sensitive. Undeterred, Major CWO Patrick J Earles Heebner worked tirelessly up and down the chain of command to coordinate all elements of the closure plan For his leadership and dedication as the RSM of the National which were reflected in superb CANOSCOM operational Support Element in Afghanistan, Jan-Aug 06. products. Accordingly, CANOSCOM executed what proved to be a highly successful operation of strategic importance, thereby promoting the Command’s operational credibility.

MCPL W.T. Hoggarth Although Op ADJACENT was clearly a team effort, Major Heebner is recognized for his laudable efforts at the forefront For innovation and outstanding work ethic while deployed of an immense undertaking of strategic importance. to a forward operating base in Afghanistan, Joint task force Afghanistan, Sept 08 to Apr 09 PRESIDENT’S TROPHY OF THE ARMY LEAGUE OF CANADA ( ONTARIO) CEFCOM Commendation MWO Chantal Galati This Two time winner of the EME MCpl Frederic Gagnon Branch advisor cadet national award continues to add to her laurels. MWO As the sole weapons technician with Canadian Helicopter Galati finished as runner-up for the Forces (Afghanistan) from April to November 2009, MCpl General Walsh Memorial Sword Gagnon maximized the use of a limited number of weapons award, the highest honour an army to ensure Canada’s helicopter fleet remained operational. His cadet can achieve nationally. As the initiative, perseverance, ingenuity and dedication enabled top army cadet in Ontario, MWO Canada’s helicopter fleet to provide consistently outstanding Galati is being awarded the President’s trophy by the Army support to troops on the ground. league of Canada (Ontario).