Canadian artillery systems normally have a lifespan of twenty years.  The M109, a self-propelled, 155mm howitzer was in Canadian service for a record 37 years — from 1968 to 2005.

The 155mm cannon could fire in a 360 degree circle. The secondary armament was a 50-calibre M2 heavy barrel machine gun.

The M109 could employ both direct and indirect fire using a 98-pound projectile. The engine was located front-right and the driver sat front-left. The turret was to the rear.

The M109 had six crew members, including the commander, two gunners, two loaders, plus a driver. The range was 350 kilometres with a 135- gallons fuel capacity, powered by an eight-cylinder diesel engine.

The M109 proudly served Canada in overseas in Germany, CFB Shilo, Garrison Petawawa, CFB Valcartier and CFB Gagetown.

The first deliveries of M109 occurred on this Base to the Royal Canadian School of Artillery in the spring of ‘68.  1RCHA fired the first round on Sept. 16, 1968 in Soltau, West Germany. 2RCHA fired its first round on Oct. 10, 1968.

A fleet of 74 M109s served the regular field regiments and the Royal Canadian School of Artillery at CFB Shilo. By 2005, only 1RCHA retained M109s, with the remainder already retired from service.

These last 12 guns were retired from service on Feb. 25, 2005. The final Regimental shoot marked the full lifecycle of the M109, an end to an era with 1RCHA’s A Bty firing the last round.

As the current director of the RCA Museum, I can note the importance of the final Regimental shoot more than 14 years ago. In 2005, Maj Marc George was the Regimental Major, while Rick Sanderson was the RCA Museum director.

Remarkably, our M109 on display inside the museum fired the first round in 1968 and fired its last round on Feb. 25, 2005 — 37 years apart mirroring the long-standing lifecycle of M109s in Canadian service.

The final Regimental shoot was a dignified and fitting tribute to the M109 which should be remembered and celebrated.

On that day, 1RCHA hosted the final regimental shot of the M109 on the CFB Shilo training ranges. This evident marked a significant moment in Canadian history, with the retiring of the M109.

In attendance that day were 1RCHA CO LCol Mieiztis, and his RSM CWO McKinnon. VIPs included 1CMBG Comd Col Grant and LFWA Comd BGen Beare.

During the ceremony, 1RCHA fired the last round after 37 years of service and many upgrades. Two batteries of 12 M109s — A Bty and B Bty — took part in the mission, as well as M113s, M577s, HLVWs and LAV IIIs.

The two batteries fired 20 HE, 10 proximity and 15 smoke rounds per gun, with Sgt Dolomont of A Bty firing the last round. Approximately 540 rounds were fired that day — a substantial amount.