Jules Xavier

Shilo Stag

11 Health MIR and support staff had an opportunity to observe 1RCHA’s A Bty in action on fire missions during Ex FROZEN GUNNER.

Ideal weather conditions greeted 11 Health CO Maj Joel Bernier’s team, with four groups dispatched to observe and question gun line members as four M777s were put to work.

While a DND bus from Base Transport brought the majority of Maj Bernier’s team to the RTA, five staffers including Amanda Simpson travelled out via an A Bty LAV ride under the leadership of Ops O Capt Brent Neal and WO Sheldon Planetta Ops WO. Simpson was able to observe her husband Sgt Ryan Simpson in action.

There were plenty of selfies taken for the 11 Health staff aboard the LAV ride into the RTA, where 1RCHA’s A Bty had set up a camp for the five-day winter exercise. Each of the ladies aboard welcomed an opportunity to stand-up in one of two open rear hatches.

Having arrived at the main camp, 11 Health staff then took turns going on an RTA ride with Capt Neal and WO Planetta, while others moved on to one of four M777 guns, which were temporarily cooling off while the FOO party prepared their next co-ordinates.
For those not on the LAV ride, they were greeted by the likes of a smiling Sgt Philip Zandstra, who welcomed his guests while his Gunners laid out more shells removed from specially-designed wooden crates used when transported from the Base’s ammo dump to the RTA.
Who has the hardest job on the gun?

How much does a shell weigh? What are the different colours mean for the shells being used? What do you do with this computer, pointing to a gadget alongside the M777 as it awaits instructions on when to fire? How do you know where your targets are being fired on? Can you reuse the shells?

These and many more questions were asked of attentive soldiers like MBdr Christian Vaillanourt, Det 2IC A Bty, as he handled a shell and other equipment while demonstrating what’s done on the gun line, or what various pieces of equipment are used for prior to firing.

MIR staff were especially interested in the role of Bdr John Coscarella, as he jumped up, then jumped down after placing his various sized charge bags in the M777.

There were four M777s being used on this late winter afternoon, firing solo, or then in sequence once targets were chosen by the FOO party down field.

1RCHA CO LCol Joe O’Donnell confirmed besides A Bty, C and Z Batteries also spent time deployed to the RTA to conduct their specific training during Ex FROZEN GUNNER. HQ and Svcs Bty provided logistic assistance where needed.

“The exercise [allows batteries] to conduct sub-unit level training, maintain and update currencies and to support new qualifications,” he explained, this being his first Ex FROZEN GUNNER where he was at the helm compared to when he was A Bty BC.

LCol O’Donnell outlined what each of his batteries were assigned, with B Bty absent because they are deployed on Op REASSURANCE in Latvia.

A Bty

“Having recently returned from Op REASSURANCE, A Bty focused on supporting the OP Det 2IC course on this exercise,” he said. “The Bty fired over 900 rounds including HE, smoke, illumination and RAP rounds. Additionally, A Bty conducted Harassing Fire, Sniping Gun, Open Actions and Quick Actions to qualify battery members as Det Comd’s and GATSM’s.”

C Bty

“C Bty were also very busy during Ex FROZEN GUNNER conducting 9mm pistol, shotgun and 84mm ranges. A MUAS Detachment was detached to support the OP Det 2IC course. C Bty trialed digitization between the LCMR and the gunline Command Post,” he said, adding, “they also trialled the MASRAM AWLS on live missions with A Bty.”

Z Bty

“Z Bty supported the OP Det 2IC course for the duration of Ex FROZEN GUNNER evaluating and mentoring candidates as they call in fire missions,” he said. “Candidates are evaluated on basic fire missions, Danger Close missions and Fire Planning.”

Weather conditions compared to past years when 1RCHA was in the RTA to hone their winter artillery skills, one soldier commented he was not complaining that temperatures were not -35 celsius, quipping he referred to this outing as Ex MILD GUNNER.