RCEME Journal
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RCEME Journal Recovering our RCEME Heritage 7 Arte et Marte: A New Museum for RCEME 10 RCEME to Leave Bordon, U.K. 21 A Career Remembered: Ray Leclerc 22 The Monument Honouring Those 11 123 LAD 1 CACR 1944-1945 Who Fell During the War in Afghanistan 22 Flag Party at Hockey Night in Barrie LEARNING AND ACTION th Table of contents 13 Canada’s Strategic Contribution 23 RCEME School Hosts 50 to its UN Allies Annual Corps of RCEME Golf Tournaments REGIMENTAL COMMAND 13 Exercises ROUGH RIDER and HADES RAM 23 Alert 4 What will you contribute to the Corps’ legacy? 14 Ex NIHILO SAPPER 24 We Are Lumberjacks… too 5 RCEME 1944–2014: Going 15 Ambushes, Assaults, and 24 Reliability, Availability, Back to Our Roots Explosions: CFJSR Support Squadron Maintainability and Durability of Stays Vigilant Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles THEME: RECOVERING OUR 15 Mission Closure Team, Intermediate Staging Terminal, Kuwait RADE ECTION RCEME HERITAGE T S 16 Ex BUSH MAN 25 The Origins of Ammunition 6 RCEME Museum to Open Late Expertise 2015 26 Integrating Expert Systems with 7 Arte et Marte: A New Museum Army Equipment for RCEME 28 Reconstitution at 202 Workshop Depot (202 WD) 17 A Day in the Life of an Aspiring RCEME Officer 18 RCEME Technicians in the 29 Adieu, Farewell & Au Revoir to Philippines – Versatility at its Best the RG-31 8 Administration Company, 2 30 Possible, Final End to the ADATS Legacy, Maybe Service Battalion Commemorates WHAT’S UP? Remembrance Day 2013 19 RCEME Represented at the 9 The RCEME Heritage Committee NATO Chess Championship AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS 10 RCEME to Leave Bordon, U.K. 19 12th Annual WO J.R. Muise 31 Awards and Recognitions 11 123 LAD 1 CACR 1944-1945 Memorial Hockey Tournament 32 Last Call 12 School History In Review 20 5th Annual RCEME Car Show 21 Barrie Dragon Boat Festival Cover : Capt Ghislain Lévesque in the picture. Photographer : Nathalie Charbonneau; Graphics : M.F. Chrétien RCEME JOURNAL - EDITION 1 - 2014 | 3 Regimental Command Director RCEME’s Message What will you contribute to the Corps’ legacy? Col S. Bouchard, Director RCEME This past year, the Canadian government authorized us to once again use our royal designation, which stands at the very heart of the Corps’ creation in 1944. Minister Peter MacKay’s statement referred not only to a simple change of name for the RCEME Corps but also to an opportunity to rediscover our heritage. This edition will use this occasion to recognize and promote our legacy and heritage as a Corps. When we say the word “heritage”, the RCEME’s heritage. Did you know that the verbs “give”, “transmit”, “bequeath” or first word that may spring to mind is we have some fifteen buildings and “leave”. Therefore, it is our duty not only to “museum”. In fact, our future museum maintenance workshops named after help preserve this living legacy but to pass will be an expression of this heritage. This officers and NCOs who, through their it on to our craftsmen and young officers. initiative will become a tangible Thus we inherit this legacy on the and living exhibit of objects and day we receive our cap badge. documents that recounts one And as our careers progress, we aspect of our history that must be assist in its development and preserved if we are to remember one day leave our successors a our roots and origins. This large- heritage that each one of us has scale project would not be viable forged, enriched and helped keep without tremendous support from alive. the Corps Heritage Committee, and in particular, the Friends In 5 years, we will be celebrating of the RCEME Museum. This our 75th anniversary as a Corps of committee, consisting of active the Canadian Armed Forces. This and retired Corps members, has event will be a unique opportunity done an amazing job thus far to celebrate a heritage marked ensuring that all Corps members, with success on the battlefield and along with the general public technological innovations. Make within a few months, will be able 14 Coy RCEME 1944 sure that our new craftsmen and to enjoy this rich heritage forged by officers are witness to our proud the Corps over its 70 years of existence. actions, have left their mark on the Corps. spirit by celebrating the Corps as it deserves Even the RCEME Corps Fund demonstrates to be honoured. Eventually, it will be their But our heritage is more than this. Our our contributions to our heritage. One of turn to do the same thing when they stage esprit de corps, our traditions, the events the goals of the fund is to help preserve the our 100th anniversary! surrounding the Corps’s anniversary, our traditions, memories, and customs of the Buggy races, our golf tournaments, curling Corps. In this way, all fund members help For my part, it has been a great honour bonspiels and hockey tournaments, our enrich and maintain this living legacy. to serve you as Corps director. I hope that culture of resourcefulness and innovation… in my small way I have helped enrich our these are but a few of the examples of The word “heritage” is often associated with heritage.. Arte et Marte. Editorial Team The Journal of The Corps of RCEME Editor-in-chief Col S. Bouchard, MSM, CD Corps Formation May 15, 1944 Managing Editor Col A. Benson, CD Corps Motto Arte et Marte Editor Marie-France Chrétien Corps Patron Saint Saint Jean de Bréboeuf Corps Information O Maj J. Motl Corps Colonel Cmdt BGen (Ret’d) P.J. Holt, OMM, CD Graphic Design Marie-France Chrétien Editing Team Capt A. Henderson, M. Lépine, Corps Director Col S. Bouchard, MSM, CD A.A.-Bélanger, , Slt R. Guzman-Bontemps, Corps Sergeant Major CWO J.G.R. Gilbert, CD Adjuc R. Gilbert, Maj J. Motl et MF Chrétien Special thanks for the Sgt Steve McIntyre, Doug Knight, Capt Distribution Marie-France Chrétien contribution Gary Dzeoba, Lt Sébastien Royal 4 | RCEME JOURNAL - EDITION 1 - 2014 Regimental Command RCEME Corps Sergeant Major’s Message RCEME 1944–2014: Going Back to Our Roots CWO J.G.R. Gilbert, RCEME Corps Sergeant Major In April 2013, we heard the goods news from the CDS himself that the Corps would be getting its old name back: the RCEME, the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Since 15 May 1944, we’ve gone around organizations and be respected by with various insignia on our shoulders, everyone. And now 2014 will usher in Pride In The RCEME starting with RCEME (1944), then LORE the 70th anniversary of the creation of this (1968), then LEME (1984), then EME magnificent Corps of ours. At present, Corps (1994), and finally returning to our roots we have members of the RCEME Corps with RCEME (2013). There are very few in 168 different units across Canada in Craftsman William Pearson 968 among us who wore the letters RCEME all environments, and every day, our DP1 Crse 0404, Vehicle Company back then, but we should be very grateful technicians distinguish themselves in RCEME School to those who have guided us to this point. keeping the equipment operational. Our Our big RCEME family has always been exceptional technical skills and our keen Pride is defined as “a feeling of deep pleasure successful in the CAF and especially in sense of leadership make us top-flight or satisfaction derived from one’s own the Army. Over the years, we’ve had soldiers and technicians, very much in achievements, the achievements of those members of the Corps at every level, demand in the CAF. with whom one is closely associated, or and that’s still true today, whether for from qualities or possessions that are widely a sports competition, a tournament or We owe a debt of gratitude to our past, admired.” another commander’s challenge. We the but we need to keep our heads up to see members of the RCEME are always ready what the future holds for us in the next In the RCEME Corps, all is one, one is all. to meet challenges with flying colours, few years. With the rapid advance of We share our triumphs and achievements, and we’ll often see one or more members new technologies, we’re bound to face but also our defeats. To the civilian eye, and representing the Corps on the winners’ challenges. We shall all have to rise to even the eyes of other units and elements of podium. Even though our name has these challenges while continuing to the Canadian Armed Forces, each individual changed several times, our values, our provide exemplary service to keep all this craftsman is “RCEME.” When we succeed it determination, our esprit de corps and equipment operational. is viewed as RCEME’s success, and when we sense of duty have never changed, and fail, it is RCEME failing. our motto Arte et Marte, By Skill and By In closing, I would like to say that it Fighting, has never been more true. Let’s continues to be a real privilege for me Pride is everything and now, more than ever, continue our good work together. to work with you and be inspired by it is of the utmost importance to be proud your work ethic, your unwaverving because we are once again the Royal Canadian As I have already said in the last edition professionalism, your compassion and Electrical Mechanical Engineers; our heritage, of the Journal, for almost 70 years, the your desire to help build a better Army. the name under which we became what we legacy passed down to us by the Old Be proud! are, a name that our brothers fought for and Guard, our predecessors, has allowed died for in World War II.