Exercise King’s Warrant II – 8 to 10 June 2018

On the evening of 8 June 2018, A squadron of the King’s Own Calgary Regiment prepared a troop of six G-Wagons and a TAPV for Ex KING’S WARRANT II, in support of our student, Warrant Officer Fernandez on the Developmental Period 3 (DP3) – Troop Warrant Course. The DP3 – Troop Warrant Course is a senior non-commissioned officer course which allows successful candidates to be in command of an Armoured Reconnaissance Troop.  From 8th to 10th June, as part of the course schedule, this marked the second training weekend and the finale for the DP3 Troop Warrant Course. Arduous tests were performed, as WO Fernandez had to command and control a reconnaissance troop and perform well under a variety of scenarios.  WO Fernandez had to adapt to changing situations within the simulated battlespace and ensure new plans were communicated down to his patrol and crew commanders. By the end of the weekend, WO Fernandez successfully passed and completed all necessary components of the course.

 

One of the emphases for the course was on Battle Procedure, which is the distribution of orders down the chain of command.  The Troop Leader receives high level orders from his superior, refines the plan and provides more detailed orders to his or her patrol and crew commanders, who then further refine them and pass them on to their individual crews.  Another emphasis was on maintaining control of the troop during the execution of the task.  Manning the radio, the Troop Leader was responsible for receiving situation reports from patrol commanders, forming an overall picture of the area of operation, and relaying that information to the squadron commander.

 

There was an abundance of scenarios which placed stress on crew commanders and their crew, which involved simulated engagements on enemy, conducting variety of dismounted drills, and scenarios that involved simulated vehicle and personnel casualties.

 

While the focus was on the evaluation of WO Fernandez on the DP3 Troop Warrant’s course, Ex KING’S WARRANT II was an opportunity for armoured recce crews to practice their skills. Patrol and crew commanders had to receive their orders, manage their crews, and execute the tasks given to them, while crewmen were responsible for driving in off-road terrain, shooting, maintaining the vehicle and weapons to ensure their function to enable a successful mission. There was an abundance of scenarios which placed stress on crew commanders and their crew, which involved simulated engagements on enemy, conducting variety of dismounted drills, and scenarios that involved simulated vehicle and personnel casualties. Overall, the training helped engage the soldiers of A Squadron and improve on previously taught material.

 

The weekend was also an opportunity for The King’s Own Calgary Regiment to deploy one of their new Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPV) to the field to learn its capabilities and limits.  Acting as the opposing force for the exercise, it was put through its paces moving on mixed terrain, hiding in foliage, and engaging the reconnaissance troop to keep them on their toes. The TAPV was also utilized as the A Squadron Sergeant Major vehicle for the entirety of the exercise.

 

Congratulations to WO Fernandez for the successful completion of his course and thanks to all who made it possible both in Calgary and in the field. Special thanks to 41 Service Battalion who provided a vehicle and weapon’s technician composing the Maintenance and Recovery Team (MRT) to help support training out at CFB Wainwright.

 

ONWARD!

 

Cpl L. Aubin