12593 Ld Strath pgs spr04 - Lord Strathcona's Horse

Message from the Colonel of the RegimentThe Spring Newsletter is in preparationabout the same time as Moreuil Woodwhen thoughts of remembrance, achievementsand comrades are in the forefront.These reflections seem particularly appropriatenow when the news reports are fullof stories of terrorism, political scandal andnatural disasters. Our Regiment is a powerfulforce for good in the world today, as ithas been throughout its long history. Beginningin South Africa, through the worldwars and Korea, a long list of peacekeepingduties and service to Canadian communitiesin forest fires and floods, Strathconashave been in the vanguard to helpset things right. Moreuil Wood is also a timeto recognize our achievements and to celebrateour accomplishments.I was fortunate to participate in the Regiment’sMoreuil Wood activities in Edmontonincluding the Strathcona Society’sannual general meeting. There was anenthusiastic gathering including Col TimGrant, now our Senior Serving Strathcona,Earl Cady, Father Bob Greene,Roy Jardine, LCol Rick Williams andI was warned my two years of commandwould fly by and they did. 30 June will seecommand of our Regiment pass to LColPaul Fleury. Paul is a talented officer whois very deserving of this honour and willlead the Regiment well.As you may (or may not) know, theLeopard Tank is to be replaced by theMobile Gun System (MGS) beginning in2006. The introduction of the MGS, orStryker as it is commonly referred to, signalssignificant change for the ArmouredCorps and the Army as a whole. The primaryfocus of the Armoured Corps hasshifted from tank to reconnaissance. TheRCD and 12e RBC are now reconnaissanceregiments, equipped only with theCoyote. The Strathcona’s are now theonly “direct fire” regiment in the Army,with two Leopard Tank squadrons and aCoyote reconnaissance squadron.These changes bring with them large culturaladjustments that we must overcome.The Stryker (MGS) is not to be employedas a tank, but as part of a “system of systems”of direct fire weapons. The Strykerwill be partnered with the TOW UnderArmour (TUA) anti-tank missile system,and a new longer-range weapons system.This trio of direct fire vehicles will fight differentlythan traditional tank tactics, complementingeach other’s capability.The Regiment will also train differently.With the creation of the CanadianManoeuvre Training Centre (CMTC),we will enjoy realistic and technologicallyadvanced field training, on par with that ofthe National Training Centre (NTC) in theDon Crossman from Calgary, Col MikeSnell from Ottawa, who was being dinedout on his retirement, and a host of localdignitaries and friends. Rick Williams hasgenerously agreed to serve as our new RegimentalSecretary and CoordinatingEditor of the Newsletter. Thank you Rick!After the event, I spoke with BruceRutherford by telephone and passedalong greetings from some of his colleagues.A number of activities are planned forthe near future including the granting ofthe Freedom of the City of FortSaskatchewan to the Regiment on May15. For the Melfa River commemoration(this year on May 26 and 27) an historicalstudy day is planned with Gen Bill Milroyas the featured speaker followed by Regimentaldinners. A contingent has beeninvited to participate from Major E.J.(Perky) Perkins’ original unit, the Greyand Simcoe Foresters and a reciprocalvisit is planned to the Grey and Simcoe’s D-Day celebrations on June 5 and 6.Although the Commanding Officer hasUnited States. The downside is that toensure sufficient vehicles for CMTC andoverseas deployments, the Army is adoptingWhole Fleet Management. Thisessentially means only the minimumamount of vehicles possible to function willbe on our hangar floor. For example,although the Regiment is comprised of twotank squadrons, we only possess sufficientvehicles for one; “A” and “B” Squadronsmust share during training. For a Corpswho gives names to their vehicles as ademonstration of devotion to the machine,this is a tough cultural adjustment to make.Big changes and tough times are nothingbeen avoiding the mention of it, the RegimentalChange of Command is scheduledfor June 29 and 30 when LCol PaulFluery will take over from Jamie Cade.As can be seen in the Commanding Officer’sand RSM’s columns, the Regiment isoperating at a very busy pace. TwoSquadrons have rotated to Bosnia andthe Strathcona’s have taken over theremaining Leopard tanks from the otherregiments. Retraining and new postings fillin any time that remains. Still the Regimentcontinues to observe ceremonial and otherfamily occasions with all the style that hasbeen their hallmark. As someone observedduring the Moreuil Wood events, “It is likeentering a room that you once lived in tofind that nothing has changed. It’s verycomfortable!”I encourage all Strathconas to visit ourwebsite at www.Strathconas.ca where youcan read the latest news and see pictures ofthe Regiment and the Society. I urge you tostay involved and keep in contact.Colonel Mark Egener, CDComments from the Commanding Officers Hatchnew to our Regiment. The Regimentremains strong and flexible and will travelthrough this transformation successfully.The coming years, however, will be challenging.On a closing note, my years of commandof Canada’s finest Regiment have beeneverything I expected and hoped for. Thesupport given to me by the RegimentalFamily has been superb and I am thankful.Hopefully I will have the opportunity to seeall of you either at the Change of CommandParade or Reunion 2005.LCol Jamie CadeA Salute to a Canadian Soldier continueddier stepped off and we all rose to go aboutour too often taken for granted everydayfreedoms … I felt proud of them. I felt it anhonour and a privilege to be among the firstto welcome them home and say “ThankYou” for a job well done.I vowed that I would never forget thatflight nor the lesson learned. I can’t say itenough, Thank You to those Veterans andthose active Servicemen and Women whomay read this and a prayer for those whocannot for they are no longer with us.GOD BLESS!! WELCOME HOMEAND THANKS FOR A JOB WELLDONE!!!Author unknown.Did You Know continuedunique contributions to the Regiment andcertainly one of the more colourful oneswas then Lt Col Ian MacD Grant who commandedfrom August 1961 until May1964.Our thoughts go out to Ian Grant who, weare sure, is facing his latest challenge of illhealth with the same fortitude and goodhumour that he displayed throughout hislife.Page 2Strathcona’s Newsletter