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THE ROYAI CANADIAN ORACeBNS > HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS CHARLES THE PRINCE OF WALES COLONEL IN CHIEF THE ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOONS 'i MGen C.J.Addy Col M.W. Appleton Colonel of the Regiment 2005-06 Colonel of the Regiment 2006-07 This year, we are enjoying a double issue of the Springbok. Given the various changes that have occurred since the last Springbok, there is certainly a lot to pass along in a very limited space ... I would first like to thank and congratulateMGen Clive Addy for his outstanding stewardshipof the Dragoon Family as our Colonel. He has been a pillar of strength in this role during the past few years - always present, supportive and wise in his guidance. The Regimental Family is stronger today because of his enthusiasm, dedication and hard work. In particular, the Guild has been set on a path that will serve us all well in years to come. Gen Clive, from all Dragoons everywhere, many thanks - and a hearty well done! You have done your Regiment proud! I would also like to express my thanks and congratulations to LCol Lowell Thomas and RSM Dennis Levesque. What an incredibly challenging- and successful- period of command! Perhaps the best summary is simply to note the 'next steps' for these two fine Dragoons: Mr. Levesque scripting the program to train the next generation of senior NCOs and LCol Thomas, following completion of post-graduate studies in leadership science, being promoted and assigned as the Director of Army Training and Director of Armour. The fact that the Army is calling upon these two professionals to shape our future really does say it all! Although they have been in their curi'ent appointments for almost a year now, I also welcome LCol Steve Cadden and RSM Kevin Lee back to the Regiment as the incoming command team. The challenges they face are immense, resources limited and time constrained - yes, situation normal! We all look forward to your leadership in dealing with the normal (and abnormal) requirements during the coming years. I would also like to point out that we now find our Minister BGen (retired) Gordon O'Connor, CDS Gen Rick Hillier and VCDS LGen Wait Natynczyk - all proud Dragoons - providing the leadership that the CF needs during these difficult times. This is a rare moment in history for Canada - and for Dragoons - where the top three posts are filled by former members of the same Regiment. We congratulate each of these fine gentlemen for their professional achievements, both individually and collectively! However, without a doubt, the biggest change has come on operations. For the first time in many, many years Dragoons are actively engaged in combat - and we have taken casualties. During the past months, we have lost six fine Dragoons in combat: Sgt Gillam, MCpl Stewart, Cpl Mitchell, Tpr Caswell, Tpr Pentland and Tpr Wilson. As I met each of their families, I did so both with great sadness for their loss and with great pride for their bravery and courage under fire. All Dragoons should be proud of the manner in which they served their nation and fought their enemy. They were fine soldiers - each one of them. We shall remember them! I also send my very best wishes to those who were wounded in action, or who were injured in theatre, for a speedy recovery. I also noted with great pride the manner in which the Regimental Family pulled together in support of those in their time of need. This not only included serving members of the Regiment, but also several Dragoons serving ERE and several members of the RCD Association who attended the ramp ceremonies and/or the funerals across the country. This participation, whether in Ontario, in Newfoundland or in New Brunswick was a tremendous support to the families of these fine men. I thank those who came forth and provided their support - this is truly what a Regimental Family is all about! We now look forward to the challenges of the coming year. These challenges will come from a wide variety of sources: the mission in Afghanistan, missions elsewhere, operational training and support requirements in garrison, and support to the Regimental Family wherever it may be. One thing I can state with certainty is that these challenges will be met in true Dragoon fashion - with excellence. It is, indeed, a fine day to be a Dragoon! The years 2005-2007 will be remembered for the contributions that the members of our Regiment have made to Regimental history. We have deployed a Task Force Headquarters to Afghanistan on Op ATHENA ROTO 4/OP ARCHER ROTO 0, and have deployed three reconnaissance squadrons and numerous individual augmentees to other units in this theatre of war. Our soldiers have seen combat, have performed the core tasks of armoured reconnaissance to an exceptionally high level, and have taken casualties on the battlefield, both killed and wounded. Throughout it all, Dragoons have maintained a professional attitude and compassionate outlook which has allowed for continued success. Regimentally, there are Dragoons serving at every rank level in the military, from trooper to four star general, with a former Dragoon as Minister of National Defence to boot. The Regiment is very proud of the success of its members, and they continue to do us proud. We look forward to receiving Leopard 2 tanks back in Petawawa in the near future, and our initial steps in standing up C Squadron in Gagetown have shown that the future remains bright in the Armour Corps. With the quality of crewman which we continue to see in Petawawa, the future is bright indeed. Our Regiment is in fine shape, with solid leadership at all rank levels and a Regimental family which has shown its commitment to looking after its own. Our role remains the same - to train to fight and win wars on behalf of our nation - and the past two years have shown that we are fulfilling this role. Bold and Swift! LCol L.E. Thomas LCol S.M. Cadden Commanding Officer 2004-06 Commanding Officer 2006-07 3 This past year has been particularly challenging for all Dragoons. With the deployment of A and B Squadrons into Afghanistan and the number of casualties not seen by this Regiment since World War II, it has been a tough up hill fight. The loss of Sgt Gillam, Cpl Mitchell and Tpr Wilson of A Squadron followed by the loss of MCpl Stewart, Tpr Pentland and Tpr Caswell of B Squadron were deeply felt. Their names as with the names of thousands of other Canadians will be cast in stone forever so we will never forget their sacrifice. It has absolutely astounded me to see the resilience of our soldiers, who have had to stop and bury their friends and then carry on. We have also seen a number of wounded return from theatre. Seeing them overcome their injuries, working tirelessly to regain their strength and return to duty has been amazing. Their courage, commitment and dedication have been inspiring to all. This year has also proven that once again Dragoons will be driving, gunning, crewing, and commanding main battle tanks on foreign soil. The recent purchase of the Leopard 2 has put new life into the Corps and Regiment; all our former tankers are brushing up their old skills waiting for their chance to get back into the hatch. We have seen an number of soldiers top career courses both locally and nationally, as well Sgt Tingley currently posted to CFLRS St Jean, awarded the MID for his outstanding work in Afghanistan. The accomplishments of our soldiers have been many, and once again Dragoons have proven their metal. As we move into 2008 our 125'^ anniversary, there will be more than enough to keep us busy. A Squadron's tank troop deployed in Afghanistan on Leopard 2's, D Squadron training for Afghanistan, collective and individual training, parading on Parliament Hill and the Regimental Ball in Hull in June, just to name a few. As with many busy years in the past and with many busy years ahead of us, the one thing I am sure of, is that it is always a great day to be a Dragoon. CWO J.D.J. Levesque CWO K.M. Lee Regimental Sergeant Major 2003-06 Regimental Sergeant Major 2006-07 loMc 0^ fi/MtMU Colonel ofthe Regiment's Address 1 Commanding OfOcer's Address 3 Regimental Sergeant-Major's Address 4 Regimental Headquarters 6 Headquarters Squadron 8 A Squadron 15 B Squadron 2005-2006 24 In Memoriam 26 Remembrance Day 2006 at the Corporal Ogilvie Memorial 29 B Squadron 30 D Squadron 34 RCD Officers and SrNCOs of 2005-2007 37 The Regimental Association 40 Regimental Fall Training Campaign 42 Change of Command 2006 46 Strategic Advisory Team - Afghanistan 49 Men's Christmas Dinner 50 Regimental Sports 53 The Regimental Canteen and Kit Shop 56 RCD 125*** Anniversary events Back Cover Visit our website at www.dragoons.ca "If Ops and Training is the brain then Field Troop is the muscle." As another training cycle comes to a close. Field Troop has been very busy executing the directives of the brain. In June 2005 RHQ carried on with the second instalment of Exercise Virtual Bear. As with the first instalment, this was a tactical exercise without troops. Its main focus was on the Regiment's electronic warfare skills, much the same as Virtual Bear I but taking it one step further. With a lot of hard work success was the name of the game, bringing the week long Exercise to a close.