The Final Mile

 

By Tpr, I mean Cpl L.B. Myers
2 Feb 2009

 

Fresh back from holidays and all rested up, C Sqn deployed to Fort Bliss, Texas for Exercise REFLEXE AGUERRI. It all started early Sunday morning when we flew from Edmonton to El Paso, Texas, where we received a safety brief on all the ticks, spiders, scorpions, snakes, and other hazards present in the area.

 

We were then bussed to Camp Dona Ana in New Mexico where we would be spending the majority of the exercise. Upon arriving at Dona Ana, we discovered that there was an entire infantry company quarantined from the rest of the camp due a case of a gastro virus. We also learned that if anyone had gastro-like symptoms they would also be quarantined for three days. Luckily, for the most part, C Sqn stayed away from the yellow tape of the quarantine.

 

The first couple of days started out the same as most exercises. There was a little bit of maintenance needed on the tanks as usual to get them up and running in tip-top shape. Concurrent to this, members who would be firing C7 PWTs took off to the range to zero their rifles so we could take advantage of the good Texas weather to finish off some more of our individual training where it was at least 40 degrees warmer.

 

After fixing a few minor faults, the tanks were good to go and Tuesday morning we took off to the range to zero the tanks. After being away from the Leopard C2 for almost two months, it was a great opportunity to refresh on the drills. It was also a great setting for a range with great weather and targets stretching to 3400m, not to mention being surrounded by mountains.

 

After doing some minor maintenance; we had the opportunity for some down time. With not a whole lot else going on, the Sqn was able to complete the Battle Fitness Test. This went very well with all members passing and only a few minor aches and blisters afterwards.

 

With the majority of the work-up training complete and this being one of the final checks in the box before deployment, the Sqn is consistently showing its hard work and dedication to the upcoming mission.