Journal 2008 - The Journal Royal Highland Fusiliers - The Royal ...

The Royal Highland Fusiliersof Canada2007 was a busy year for the Royal Highland Fusiliersof Canada. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Peters CDreturned to his CO duties in April following a sevenmonthduty tour in Afghanistan. On October 4th, DCOMajor Charles Fitton CD was promoted Lieutenant Colonelto succeed Lt Col Peters who was assigned new duties atLand Forces Central Area Headquarters in Toronto.Two members of the RHFC, Corporals Rodney Grubb andRyan Pagnacco were awarded Wound Stripes followingcombat injuries sustained in Afghanistan. They have sincereturned to Canada and the unit. Fifteen unit membersserved in Afghanistan during 2007. Currently there is awaiting list of 68 unit members who have volunteered forduty in Afghanistan. Fifteen were recently accepted andare undergoing specialised training with regular force unitsbefore their scheduled deployment in 2008. Several RHFCmembers are employed as trainers at Canadian ManoeuvresTraining Centre (CMTC) Wainright, Alberta.Major Paul Hale CD has succeeded Lt Col Fitton asDCO. Major Hale has extensive operational and overseasexperience, including Afghanistan. He recently retired froma thirty-year career with the Princess Patricia’s CanadianLight Infantry (PPCLI). Also joining us in 2007 as fulltimeOperations Officer was Major Paul Pickering a formerArtillery Officer and Afghanistan veteran. Majors DesmondDonovan and Jarrett McDonald continue in their roles ascompany commanders.RSM Mark Adam, and the Drum Major, Sgt Eric Ferguson,are training for positions in Afghanistan as Civilian MilitaryCooperation (CIMIC) officers.Regimental strength now is an impressive 195 soldiers.Eleven members are in the process of transferring to theRegular Force.In January 2007 the Regiment began their training yearwith winter exercises in Ayr, Ontario. Operations includedroad blocks, foot and vehicle patrols, and establishingforward operating bases. Throughout the year, the Regimentcarried on with Individual Battle Task Standards (IBTS),covering field craft, weapons handling, vehicle and minerecognition, and navigation. Between January and June theunit was well represented in a mix of brigade and unit levelexercises. During the summer members participated in anumber of national training courses culminating in Augustwith a brigade exercise in Wainright, Alberta. In Septemberthe unit took part in company level tactical exercises atArea Training Centre Meaford, Ontario. Activities inOctober and November included live fire exercises withsupport weapons including the C7 rifle, C6 mediummachine Gun, C9 Light Machine Gun, 84mm Carl Gustavrocket launcher, hand grenade, and 9mm Browning pistol.Cpl Swietlick firing C7 Rifle Winona Range Ontario.On November 11th the Regiment, including its Pipes andDrums, participated in the Remembrance Day parade andceremonies in Cambridge, Ontario.The highlight of the year was the first visit by our Colonelin-ChiefHis Royal Highness Prince Andrew The Dukeof York KG KCVO. During two memorable days in earlyMay Prince Andrew toured company training facilities inKitchener, dined with the Regimental Council, Officers andsenior NCOs, participated in a Freedom of the City Paradefor the unit in Cambridge, Ontario and lunched with theMayor, regional Police Chief and unit officers. His RoyalHighness also devoted time to meet all ranks and sit forgroup photos. The evening of his departure Prince Andrewwas guest of honour at a Regimental Ball attended by morethan 300 unit members, spouses and municipal leaders.2Lt Reiner 9mm pistol November 07 Meaford Ontario.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 55