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CHANGE OF COMMAND
THE MAGAZINE OF 38 CANADIAN BRIGADE GROUP
THE ARMY RESERVES OF SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA AND NORTHWEST ONTARIO
Commanders Message
Reflecting upon my first months as your
Commander, I am reminded that we live in
interesting times. As one of my first functions,
I conducted key leader engagements with the
senior military and civilian leadership across
our Brigade area. With Emergency Measures
officials in Regina, I noted that the Government
of Saskatchewan has not called out the Canadian
Armed Forces for assistance in over 50 years,
but assured them that we would be there if they
needed us.
Features
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On the Cover:
Members of 38 Canadian Brigade Group participate in the
final attack during Exercise BISON WARRIOR held in CFB
Shilo, Manitoba, on August 21, 2015.
Back Cover: Bombardier Micha Gerber of the 116th
Independent Field Battery conducts fire suppression
operations near La Ronge, Saskatchewan for Op LENTUS
15-02 on July 15, 2015.
Editors
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Exercise
BISON WARRIOR
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We Remember
Change of Command
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Designer/Photographer
Photographers
Exercise
WESTERN GUNNER
Publisher
Operation LENTUS
Graphic Designer
Operation
LENTUS 15
Winnipeg Reservist
Takes Up Call
to Fight Sask
Forest Fires
By Martin Zeilig, The Voxair
When Private Keith Griffith got the call to fight the forest fires raging
through northern Saskatchewan this summer, he didnt hesitate to go.
Pte Griffith knows first-hand how dangerous such infernos can be.
Pte Griffith, 19, a reservist with the Fort Garry Horse at McGregor
Armoury, had to flee his former home in Kelowna, British Columbia
back in 2003 because of the wildfires threatening that community.
We experienced the whole evacuation, said Pte Griffith, who moved
to Winnipeg with his family in 2004.
My younger brother Travis was experiencing lung problems because
of the heavy smoke. So the doctor advised us to move to a cold, windy
environment, which was Manitoba. We also had some family here.
His chance to help came on a Saturday night in July when Pte Griffith
received a call from his Unit Commander, Captain Owen Lewis,
asking him if hed be up to fighting wildfires in La
Ronge, Saskatchewan on the following Monday.
So I called my civilian employer and said that I had this
opportunity, and wasnt too sure how long I would be
gone, said Pvt Griffith. They gave me the okay, and
said to call them as soon as I knew how long
Id be gone. They wished me luck, and said they hoped
I would return okay.
After packing up his gear in his Army backpack on
Sunday night, Pte Griffith drove to Minto Armoury very
early the next morning. Pte Griffiths father, Carl, met
him there to see him off.
The media overheard Carl telling Pte Griffiths story
to the bus driver, and they were captivated.
They swarmed my dad, said Pte Griffith, adding that
there were at least a dozen members of the local
media there.
They started asking me questions about how I felt about the wildfires in
Kelowna, and how I felt about going to Saskatchewan to fight fires. I admitted
I was nervous about it because I didnt know what all the tasks would be right
on the fire line. I wasnt sure about anything. There are a lot of dangers in
wildfires. The media also wanted background information about me. I was busy
doing interviews right up until the bus departed.
Their first night in Saskatchewan was spent at the Prince Albert Armoury,
three hours south of La Ronge.
sure our training was good, so we were sent out in the bush to douse hot spots
most of that first day.
That evening powerful storms conspired to make an already precarious
situation much more dangerous.
A lot of trees were falling over and lightning was starting new fires, Pte
Griffith explained. But we ended up getting fires under control that first day.
Altogether he was gone a total of 12 days.
The next day a combined force of 200 Reserve and Regular Forces members
got an intense eight hours of level three fire-fighting training.
After dinner, we loaded up the convoy and headed for La Ronge,
Pte Giffith said.
I think we made a difference, said Pte Griffith, who had the chance to take a
ride in Government of Saskatchewan helicopter at one point to obtain a birds
eye view of the vast area burned, and to see the significant difference made by
the military firefighters.
We had the fun of setting up military tents in the dark. Our first fire line was
just north of where we were camped. Our first task the next day was to make
It was the right thing to do, fighting forest fires. My civilian employer put up all
those newspaper articles about me. He was very proud.
Photo Credit: MCpl Alan Haley, Cpl Jean Archambault, Shilo Stag
Shilo, Manitoba How in the hell are we gonna pull this one off I mutter
to my fellow gunners from 38 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG). Members of
10 th Field Regiment (Saskatchewan), 26th Field Regiment (Manitoba) and 116th
Independent Field Battery (Kenora, Ontario) stood amidst row, upon row, upon
row of empty cots awaiting the arrival of 39 and 41 CBG all the way from
the British Columbia coast to the Alberta / Saskatchewan border. We are in
Gunner Arena at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Shilo, preparing to head out to
the field the next day to participate in Exercise WESTERN GUNNER the
3rd Canadian Division Reserve artillery concentration from August 8-15.
Also running this week are five artillery courses which have tasked many of
our fellow troops as instructors, course staff or course candidates. How are we
to man four guns, command post, recce, observation post, and headquarters?
Who is left? We dont know. Watch and shoot.
No time is wasted, however, as guns are bore sighted, stores are checked,
communications are established, drills are rehearsed, vehicles are prepped
By sundown, like the effervescence of Alka-Seltzer, my needless worry
dissipates as 70+ artillery soldiers from Lethbridge, Edmonton and points west
to Vancouver and Victoria boisterously clear in. Almost immediately,
the briefings begin, positions are assigned, and we are wired.
No empty cots now.
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Ottawa, Ont Corporals Anna and Madeline Janzen, members of the North
Saskatchewan Regiment based out of Saskatoon stood guard at the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. The two sisters
from Rosthern, Saskatchewan were the first siblings to ever stand sentry
together over the National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in
Confederation Square in Ottawa. The sisters were part of the national sentry
program this summer, which has members of the navy, army and air force
standing guard from April to November.
Originally built to commemmorate the Candians who died in World War I, the
National War Memorial is a tall, granite arch with bronze sculptures dedicated
by King George VI in 1939. In 1982, it was rededicated to also include those
killed in the World War II and the Korean War, and again in 2014 to add the
dead from Second Boer war, the war in Afghanistan, as well as all Canadians
killed in all conflicts past and future. In 2000, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
was placed in front of the memorial and symbolizes the sacrifices made by all
Canadians who have died or may yet die for their country.
The tomb holds the remains of an unidentified project begun by the Royal
Canadian Legion, the tomb was added to the war memorial in 2000 and holds
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EXERCISE
Final Attack
By Maj Mike Lagace, 38 CBG PAO
Shilo, Man. Driving through the early morning mists of CFB Shilo with
the sun starting to crest through the east, a convoy of visitors, including the
Brigade and Divisional Commanders rambled through the back gates of the
ranges. It was time to observe the final assault against the enemy forces
wreaking havoc against the good citizens.
Enjoying the 45-minute ride with plenty of time to watch the coordinated and
tactical soldier skills, the low-lying fog spread across the ranges, providing
an eerie sense of peace. The sun broke the horizon, brightened the clouds and
showed the prairie ranges in its glory. Coming closer, a strange cloud formation
suddenly appeared along the horizon.
Damn. It wasnt clouds. It was smoke from a major attack!
Fridays final assault on 30 rogue dissidents was well underway as the convoy
of observers came across the formation well engaged into battle. It looked
great- the good guys finished off the bad guys and it happened early thanks
to an errant night contact by enemy force. Combat arms took the initiative and
carried on.
Over 100 proud but tired soldiers from 38 Canadian Brigade Group made their
final assault early Friday morning (August 21) after slugging the week through
swamp, bugs and poison ivy [em dash] avoiding all the wire, mine defenses,
machine gun nests, and roving patrols.
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points which were difficult to find with only a map and compass.
The next day of competition was AFV recognition, calling in indirect fire in
the SAT range, followed by the range estimation stand. The last day of the
completion consisted of driver maintenance, first aid and driving course
stands. We raced off to the first stand where we conducted a tire change on
the LUVW followed by removing a casualty from a TLAV, performing first aid
and calling in appropriate reports on the radio. Our team was the first team to
complete all three stands, and we watched as the other teams finished.
We were keeping track of our progress and that of the other Divisions as well,
but we really didnt know until the last team was done where we stood in
the standings. At the awards ceremony, 3 Divisions Leopard 2 team placed
first overall, the LAV and LUVW teams placed second overall meaning that 3
Division had won the Worthington Cup Challenge.
The Worthington Cup Challenge was a great experience. The Saskatchewan
Dragoon team was given the opportunity to complete with both Regular
Force and other Reserve soldiers in an excellent physical and challenging
competition. We were able to meet new soldiers from all over the country as
well as a Leopard 2 team from Denmark. We look forward to representing 38
CBG and 3 Division again in the future.
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EX ARCTIC RAM
12 - 21 FEB 16
RESOLUTE BAY, NU
Minto Celebrates 100 Years of Army Reserve Heritage with Open House
By Mike Sherby, The Voxair
community, including many schools and the media from Regina, to find out
about the historic unit within the LCol D.V. Currie VC Armoury.
Recruiting in the Army Reserves is such a priority now as we have lost
numbers, remarked Sgt Humphreys. The Open House provides a venue for
many local schools to really learn about their army in Moose Jaw.
New to the Open House was CTV Regina picking up the story and telling
southern Saskatchewan all about the Army Reserves. Normally profiling local
Regina events, CTV Morning Live reporter, Alex Brown, was ready and eager
to get into the military gear, jump on the G-Wagons and take out an enemy
position with the Carl Gustav. She said, its definitely something I have never
done before, and then yelled out the orders for a fire mission.
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to be on display at a significant moment in time, for all the citizens of that city.
Only the Royal Regina Rifles (1967) and HMCS Queen (1978) were previously
granted freedom of the city. Cpl. Jayson Derow participated in the parade on
behalf of the Royal Regina Rifles. Derow, 24, of Emerald Park, joined the unit
eight years ago. I was young. I just always had this sense of duty to kind of
give back to the country and just do something out of the ordinary, he said.
Derow added that there is a history of military members in his family, and he
wanted to carry on that tradition.
Saturdays parade was part of Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Day.
Col. Geoff Abthorpe, commander of 38th Canadian Brigade Group, said that
appreciation day provides an opportunity for the military and the public to
connect. Sometimes the public ... feels that there is this mysteriousness
about us. Well, this is a chance for us to open our doors (and) show them there
is nothing really that secretive or mysterious about us, he said at a Canadian
Armed Forces open house at the Regina Armoury. We are an organization of
the people for the people to support the people of Canada.
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He said, the British left, the Russians left, the Taliban will leave, the Coalition
will leave and Ill still be here in my village and Ill still be tending my crops,
Abthorpe recalled.
Thirty-eight Canadian soldiers were wounded and one soldier was lost
during that command Private Josh Klukie from Thunder Bay. Abthorpe
commemorates the local mans life every year on Remembrance Day.
The second episode featuring Abthorpe, entitled Hearts and Minds, is a critical
look at the outreach effort to legitimize the elected Afghan government.
The Canadians focused on promising to refurbish wells in Afghan communities
to gain their support by providing water.
It didnt go so well. We had an inability to get the right kind of resources from
Canada, he said.
The Taliban had better resources at its command to convince rural communities
to offer its soldiers food, shelter, safe passage.
There were some successes, including giving firewood to Afghanis
in November and providing 90 patients with medical care.
Abhtorpe described the point of view of a man who lived near the mountain
that claimed to be 104 years old.
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Op DISTINCTION:
By MCpl Jeremy Slot, Fort Garry Horse
70th Anniversary of
the Liberation of Holland
for the event. Canadians, Americans, Germans,
Belgians, and more were all present and more than
willing to swap stories and souvenirs with us. It
was on this day that I made a good friend from the
Dutch 11th Air Mobile Brigade (11 Luchtmobiele
Brigade, part of the German Special Operations
Division), Corporal Wensley Monk. Cpl Monk
ensured the rest of my stay was as educational
as possible and provided me with all kinds of
souvenirs for myself and the members of FGH.
The rest of the tasking was spent exploring
battlefields, monuments, and architecture. My
personal adventures concluded with a visit to the
city of Dotechiem where the Fort Garry Horse
invested time after World War II building homes,
roads and even toys for the children during the
holidays.
At Canada Park a neighborhood named and
dedicated to the Fort Garry Horse for our post war
efforts in rebuilding the community sits an
FGH Sherman gifted to the people of Dotechiem
along with a commemorative plaque and sign
explaining the important role the regiment played
in rebuilding the city. Adjacent to the Sherman was
a building that was used by the community as a
daycare and recreation center, aptly named Club
haus Fort Garry Horse. I stopped in and left our
units customs and traditions handbook, along
with a letter of appreciation.
Before this tasking, I knew and understood the
history and the sacrifices; however, I dont believe
anyone can truly understand until they set foot on
the ground where the stories took place. Until they
see the spots where history was made. Until they
experience the sobering feeling of being where the
men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice
now rest so people they never even met, can live
unoppressed and free.
The 38 CBG public affairs team holding the Command Team commendation. (L-R) 2Lt Kyle Roman, 2Lt Stacie Nelles, MCpl Draper Houston, Bernice May Tuano, 2Lt Derek Gagnon, Maj
Mike Lagace, MCpl Cam Skrypnyk, MCpl Louis Brunet, Cpl Jean Archambault, MCpl Alan Haley
Cartoon by LCol Jarymowycz, former CO Royal Canadian Hussars and comic contributor
to the old CF Sentinel magazine under the name Roman. This cartoon is from the cover of the
Rendezvous (RV) 83 Comic Book.
Born in Vienna, Austria with a Ukrainian heritage,
Lieutenant Colonel Jarymowycz is a naturalized
Canadian citizen and an accomplished senior
officer. He holds a PhD in military history and has
taught at the Canadian Land Force Command
and Staff College and the Royal Military College
of Canada. To quote one former student, I was
privileged to have been in his syndicate during the
Tutorial III in Kingston, 1997.
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