Colonel of the Regiment's Message
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THE ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOONS SPRINGBOK A u d a x e t C e l e r - B o l d a n d S w i f t THE SPRINGBOK The Annual Journal of The Guild of The Royal Canadian Dragoons 2014 - 2015 Edition Published by permission of The Commanding Officer CONTENTS Colonel of the Regiment’s Address ............................... 3 Senior Serving Dragoon’s Address ................................. 4 Commanding Officer’s Address .................................... 5 Regimental Sergeant Major’s Address .......................... 6 Regimental Patron’s Message ....................................... 7 The Guild ........................................................................... 8 RHQ ................................................................................... 12 A Squadron ...................................................................... 14 B Squadron ....................................................................... 18 C Squadron ...................................................................... 22 D Squadron ...................................................................... 26 HQ Squadron .................................................................... 30 Cav Cup 2014 .................................................................. 34 Ironman 2014 .................................................................... 36 Osons Challenge 2014..................................................... 38 Leliefontein 2014 .............................................................. 40 Ex Common Ground II...................................................... 48 Ex Bushman........................................................................ 50 Men’s Christmas Dinner 2014 .......................................... 52 Leeuwarden 2015 ............................................................ 58 The Centurion Room ....................................................... 62 The Sgt Holland Room ..................................................... 64 Cadets .............................................................................. 70 Armoured School Dragoons ........................................... 74 In Memoriam .................................................................... 78 On The Cover MCpl Mason of of D Squadron participates in Jungle Lane training Editor in Chief: Maj S.S. Curley Editor and Chief Planner: Capt A.M. Cyr Advertising Team Leader: Lt C.M. Smith Cover and publication design: Cpl K. Langille www.dragoons.ca Opposite: Rasing the RCD Flag while on deployment. 1 Springbok 2014 - 2015 His Royal Highness Charles The Prince of Wales Colonel in Chief The Royal Canadian Dragoons Springbok 2014 - 2015 2 His Royal Highness Charles The Prince of Wales Colonel of The Regiment’s Message Colonel Georges Rousseau, CD The old Latin proverb “tempos fugit” has hit home once and proportional environment. This new organizational again for it is time to bid farewell to the Regiment in framework will serve us well into the future. this honorary appointment. It has been a tremendous privilege, honour and unimaginable experience that will As always our Commanding Officer and others have not soon be forgotten. Many heartfelt thanks to all for your provided a superb “tour d’horison” of this year’s activities, friendship, patience and generosity. hence I will limit my comments. Suffice it to say that the many visits to Petawawa and Gagetown have provided I am delighted that my last task as Colonel of the the opportunities to witness firsthand the unwavering Regiment is to introduce what will now become our official enthusiasm and professionalism of all Dragoons as well Regimental Family annual review. The consolidation as our embedded 12 RBC brethren. The collective of the Springbok and Dragoon year books is one more contribution to their respective Bases and senior Formation example of our ability to improve Regimental business is noteworthy. Moreover, the panache and continuous practices. Once again, this year’s publication editorial success of all members of our extended Regimental Family and managerial staff have outdone themselves and on (ERE, Association Chapters, Friends of the Regiment and your behalf I send kudos to all who have contributed. cadets) continue to perpetuate at large those excellent qualities so firmly emblazed in those wearing and those This magnificent edition will provide you a comprehensive who have worn our Springbok. summary of great achievements in, around and far beyond the Regimental Home Station. These moments Unfortunately happy times are often overshadowed by the have demonstrated yet again the competence and death of dear comrades and friends. 2015 has not spared tremendous “joie de vivre” of our members, family and us as we mourn the many young and old. Among them we friends. Amongst the many remarkable events I wish grieve the passing of our beloved General Rad; Second to attribute a “special mention” to the formidable World War Tank Ace and the Royal Canadian Armoured task undertaken in transforming our Regimental Guild. Corps’ modern day patriarch. We will remember them! This colossal historical realization was prosecuted with “brio”. Through sheer tenacity and determination Finally, it pleases me immensely to welcome home three successive Regimental Second in Command and congratulate on your behalf Major-General Matt officers, with the backing of many, established a new Macdonald who returns to Regimental duty as our Regimental Non-Public Fund (NPP) management tool in Colonel of the Regiment. His past accomplishments are line with Government of Canada protocols. Although many and his mentorship will no doubt be invaluable and the transformation was not without important challenges appreciated by all. the ensuing organisation, and its revisited concepts and mechanisms will improve our ability to manage NPP activities efficiently within a democratic, representational 3 Springbok 2014 - 2015 Senior Serving Dragoon’s Message Major-General Dean Milner, OM, MSC, CD Upon returning home from Afghanistan last year I was PEAK, a Brigade Exercise in Fort Drum. A great exercise honoured to take over as our Senior Serving Dragoon which afforded an opportunity for our troops to work from a good friend and long serving Dragoon, Jim closely with our US brothers from 10th Mountain Division Ferron. Serving outside of the country for over 4 years I and demonstrate our excellent reconnaissance skills. was thrilled to be taking over this significant appointment and spending more time with the Regiment. Jim at the Fully recognizing the importance of our family, Katrin and I time was serving as Commander 1st Canadian Division so travelled for a Dragoon weekend to St Catherines last year we were able to conduct the handover for both Senior for a Dragoon Association gathering that was organized Serving and Commander 1st Canadian Division. Jim has by my first troop warrant Terry Shaw. This was another since retired and in true Ferron tradition will continue to excellent event and reminder of what a tremendous provide untiring and selfless support to the Regiment. Regimental family that we have. Our Regiment continues to serve the Army and Canadian On closing, it is another fine day to be a Dragoon and I Armed Forces with excellence and distinction, and it continue to be proud watching our Regiment in action. has been tremendous to observe our soldiers performing In these challenging times throughout the world it is clear so very well no matter what the tasking, exercise or that we have great leaders that we have shaped through deployment. I have had the opportunity over the last year the years to command our fine troops. The Regiment to visit the Regiment on a number of occasions, the first is absolutely ready to take on these challenges. One event being the change of command between LCol’s of those fine leaders is Col George Rousseau who has Atherton and Graham. An excellent event to recognize been a stellar supporter of the Regiment and has been the tenure and outstanding accomplishments of Andrew instrumental in so many ways including recently driving and the Regiment, and to commence Steve’s command important changes to our Guild which will put us in of the Regiment. Both are fine officers of which I have had excellent shape for years to come. We will bid farewell the fortunes of serving with over the years. to George and Maureen and welcome another talented and well respected officer in as Colonel of the Regiment, Understanding the significance of keeping close ties MGen (retired) Matt Macdonald. Col George is moving with our Friends of the Regiment I participated in a well up as our Colonel Commandant and we look forward to organized couple days where the Regiment displayed him keeping in close contact with the Regiment in this key its prowess in field and on the ranges for our strong position. regimental supporters. A well-attended event enabling us to connect with Canadians and as always our Colonel Bold and Swift of the Regiment, Col George was present to share the event. The Regiment consistently focusing their efforts on training, I visited Maj Sean Curley and D Squadron during their participation with the 1/71st Cavalry on Ex MOUNTAIN Springbok 2014 - 2015 4 Commanding Officer’sMessage Lieutenant Colonel Steven Graham, MSM, CD With one year of my command now complete, I can look the upcoming year. Lastly, Major Rowena Williams and back with satisfaction at what we accomplished last year SSM Brian Sampson kept HQ Squadron busy supporting and look forward with anticipation at the training