|
THE REGIMENT - Info
Biographies
Regimental News
RHQ
POW Squadron
B Squadron
C Squadron
Recce Squadron
HQ Squadron
Family Support
Kitshop
Upcoming Events
Regimental Manual
THE SOCIETY
Alberta Branch
Edmonton Chapter
Ontario
Family Roll
Newsletter
Bd Of Directors
Mounted Troop
Pipes & Drums
Historical Troop
Museum
CADETS
1292 Calgary
1813 Cranbrook
2716 Mayerthorpe
2860 Ft Simpson
2952 Grand Cache
3066 Golden
3070 Evansburg
|
 |
|
|
Kabul Multinational Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron – Op ATHENA Roto 2
|
Lt Michael H Gough
24 January 2005
 The Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron provided the full gamut of capabilities to Brigader-General Spindler, Commander KMNB. Based on LdSH(RC) Recce Squadron with an embedded Recce Platoon from 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, we had numerous other attachments to augment our resources. Recce operated throughout Kabul Province providing accurate and timely information to Brigade in direct support of the ISAF mandate. To quote Comd KMNB “The Canadian Recce Squadron is everywhere and they are nowhere”, much to the chagrin of other nations who sometimes saw us as intruders into their AOs.
 The pace has been break-neck throughout the tour, but at least one individual still found time to kindle a relationship. Sgt Ernie Romanuik, 3 Troop C Patrol Commander, while in Surobi, was caught on camera tightly gripping the hand of the Chief of Police. Perhaps this Sergeant took with winning of hearts and minds a little too seriously. When there was time for recreation, some Recce soldiers could be found singing their hearts out. Captain Islam Elkorazati, 2 Troop Leader, again took this to extreme when he broke the ice at the Combined Mess karaoke night. Dressed in full drag, we will never hear Shania Twain’s I Feel Like a Woman in the same light again.
 Recce Sqn played key roles in several operations during Roto 2. Perhaps the most significant was Op PRONGHORN, KMNB support to the Afghan Presidential Elections. For this operation, the entire Squadron deployed into a full surveillance screen for nearly 14 days providing information and an overt presence around key polling stations. Another defining operation was Op HUNTER/OCTOPUS. This continuous nighttime surge saw patrols moving to high-threat areas of Kabul to deter against rocket attacks. As a testament to the dedication of the Recce soldiers who spent countless nights patrolling the region, Task Force Kabul and ISAF enjoyed the longest continuous stretch, 41 consecutive days, without a successful rocket attack by the Opponent Militant Forces.
 Disappointed that his platoon had not yet been tasked to hurl themselves out of an airplane, Captain Jay Mackeen, Recce Platoon Commander, found a loophole in the system. Apparently, you only have to jump off of three steps in order to qualify for an in-theatre jump. After this hair-raising experience, and recognizing this officer’s selfless courage, Major Derek Macaulay, Commanding Officer Recce Sqn, pinned on a set of jump wings at a Sqn BBQ. Another stunning record was broken while the OC was on HLTA. Captain John Cochrane, 2IC Recce Sqn, shattered the standing highest past performance of most kilometres logged on a Coyote during a 3-week period. He has been making engine noises from behind his desk ever since.
As this tour draws quickly to a close, it almost seems like it passed in blink of an eye because of how busy we have been throughout the tour. Many nights were spent on OPs, away from the niceties of Camp Julien. However, the hard-working and vigilant soldiers of KMNB Recce Squadron can sleep soundly at night with the knowledge that Kabul is a safer place for everyone as a result of their continuous and unflinching efforts.
|
|
|
|
