meet and greet 11:15 a.m. lunch service begins at 11:30 a.m. … · 2019. 1. 10. · gerry treble...

http://www.gcclondon.ca/

Please note that our 10 February GCC meeting will

be held at the Junior Ranks Mess, Beaver Hall,

Wolseley Barracks

Meet and Greet 11:15 a.m.

Lunch service begins at 11:30 a.m.

Speaker 12:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY 2016 NEWSLETTER

Meet & Greet: 11:15 hrs Junior Ranks Mess, Beaver Hall, Wolseley Barracks,

Wednesday,10 February 2016

11:30 hrs lunch service begins (Please bring a guest)

Regular Meeting: 12:00 hrs meeting starts

Speaker: Speaker: Dave Rohrer, CEO, Canadian Warplane

Heritage Museum (see page 2 for details)

Lunch Menu:

Please Note: As The Catering Company is reinstituting Wednesday Lunches at the Mess and they

may also be serving non-GCC Members in the messes, to avoid confusion going through the

line, we will NOT be using the Eventbrite process any further. We will be returning to a cash

purchase system as was previously the case.

Chef’s choices will include: Soup and Salad; Soup and Sandwich; Hot Entrée; Dessert

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Canadian+armed+forces&id=8C48DD1C5B171F72F6E028BD138CED64E8D93A02&FORM=IQFRBA#view=detail&id=8C48DD1C5B171F72F6E028BD138CED64E8D93A02&selectedIndex=0



Speaker: 10 February GCC Meeting at the Junior Ranks Mess

Speaker: Dave Rohrer, CEO, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Our speaker will be David G. Rohrer, President & CEO, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum . The

mandate of the museum is to:

To acquire, document, preserve and maintain, a complete collection of aircraft that were flown

by Canadians and the Canadian military services from the beginning of World War II to the

present, including other related aviation artifacts and memorabilia of significant historic

importance to this period.

To instruct, educate and entertain the general public through the maintenance and rotation of

displays, flight demonstration, special events and activities; and encourage Canadians of all

ages to become actively involved in the preservation of these aircraft and artifacts.

To provide facilities for the restoration and protection, interpretation and exhibits of the

collection. These will be displayed in their natural element - aerial or static, with emphasis on

all aspects of safety and legal obligations in relation to both the artifacts and public; and to

deliver programs that meet the standards for community museums in Ontario.

To maintain supportive exhibits in tribute to the thousands of men and women who built,

serviced and flew these aircraft and in memory of those who did not return.



GCC President’s Comments

Program planning for 2016 is well underway under the leadership of 1st Vice President Geoff Hutton .

Suggestions from members are always welcome. Please contact Geoff directly or speak with any

member of the executive with your ideas.

The GCC Executive and Advisory Committee also meet during the Wednesday noon hour of the week

prior (first Wednesdays) to the regular GCC meeting to plan and discuss issues relating to the

GCC. Please feel free to join us at Beaver Hall for this meeting too.

The executive and advisory committee are in the process of finalizing our 2016 budget and plan to

update members at our General Meeting in February. Please convey your ideas on budget priorities to

us.

Looking forward to seeing you at our GCC General Meeting

on February 10.

Thank you,

Gerry Gerry Treble

President

Combined Messes Wednesday Lunches

The Combined Messes at Beaver Hall have reopened for Wednesday lunches. Lunch and bar service is

available at 11:30am. GCC Members are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity as well as

the lunch service at our regular GCC meetings.

London Military Family Resource Centre (LMFRC)

Please see the poster with details of this event on page 11 of this newsletter.



GCC’s January Meeting Speaker

Inspector Andrew Cowan, Officer in Charge, London RCMP Detachment presented on Federal

Policing in Canada. A few points covered are a\noted below.

For over 125 years, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has earned a reputation of excellence

in policing. The RCMP works in every Province / Territory providing policing service to Canadians.

In Ontario, the RCMP is responsible for federal policing and has a focus is on Serious and Organized

Crime, Financial Crime and National Security. In the RCMP there are over 200 different jobs or career

paths.

Police Departments welcome men and women of all backgrounds. Diversity in the workforce helps

understand cultural issues and lets officers work even closer with the communities they serve. With

hundreds of Detachments and Departments across the country, police officers have the chance to

experience life in many parts of Canada and work at different levels of policing – municipal, provincial

and federal. The usual duration of an RCMP posting is from three to five years

GCC member Tom Dean introduced RCMP Inspector Andrew Cowan. [GCC President Gerry Treble (centre); Past President Pat O’Hagan (right)]



RCMP Inspector Andrew Cowan presented on Federal Policing in Canada.

Inspector Cowan (right) presents the RCMP Ensign in recognition of the collaborative

relationship between the RCMP and Military Police and the establishment of the new

Military Police Academy in Base Borden .[Scott "Doc" Aldridge (left);

Major Todd Somerville, Commanding Officer, 2 Military Police Regt (centre)]



Gerry Treble thanks Inspector Cowan for his presentation. [ LCdr Sean Batte- centre]

31 Canadian Brigade Group: Commander’s Column

January 2016

This short article, normally penned by a member of the Brigade staff, will offer a casual look at 31

CBG. Written with an intent to avoid heavy use of military lexicon, acronyms and abbreviations, the

Commander’s Column supports information sharing to groups with diverse backgrounds and will,

hopefully, offer a less formal view of the Brigade overall, or the examination of specific issues or

events. I welcome suggestion of topics you would like to see covered in these columns.

K.S. Bertoia

Colonel

Comd 31 CBG

While the sudden arrival of winter weather to southwestern Ontario has many local residents facing the

prospects of winter driving, snow shovelling and dressing for the storms, the soldiers of 31 CBG have

not been lax in their preparations for the cold. Centred on the Arctic Response Company Group



(ARCG), formed around a core of dedicated professionals in the Grey and Simcoe Foresters with

soldiers from across the Brigade, 31 CBG is yet again preparing to tackle the arctic.

The ARCG is 4 Canadian Division’s deployable element tasked to maintain expertise in extreme cold

weather operations. To ensure their readiness to meet Canada’s needs in times of emergency, the

ARCG conducts an annual exercise in the far north. This year, the ARCG, supported by a Transport

Platoon and a detachment from the Brigade’s Influence Activities Company, will deploy to Northern

Ontario on Exercise TRILLIUM RESPONSE from 13 to 21 February 2016.

Preceded by two exercises, FRIGID FORESTER I and II, the soldiers of the ARCG and its supporting

elements will confirm training and test equipment before their northern deployment. These exercises

will take place at CFB Borden during January. Separate training courses will also be conducted for

light over snow vehicles (LOSV), i.e., snowmobiles, to ensure sufficient numbers of soldiers are

trained in this necessary skill.

Cold weather survival, navigation, and movement across the frozen northern landscape will all be part

of the ARCG’s training. The welcome support and expertise of the Canadian Rangers is a vital part of

training our soldiers in the North. This support and guidance is always looked forward to by our

soldiers, as well as the opportunity to connect with remote communities.

The skills developed for and proven on Exercise TRILLIUM RESPONSE will be tested further in

April when the Grey and Simcoe Foresters will provide soldiers to participate in Op NUNALIVIT.

This training exercise will take place in Resolute Bay, with most participating troops drawn from 2

Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG). Op NUNALIVUT is a sovereignty operation

conducted annually since 2007 in Canada’s North. It provides an opportunity for the CAF to assert

Canada’s sovereignty over its northernmost regions; demonstrate the ability to operate in the harsh

winter environment in remote areas of the High Arctic; and enhance its capability to respond to any

situation in the Canada’s North.

While some brigade soldiers have their eye on the frozen north as a destination, others are prepared for

training in southern climes, While perhaps not the region one immediately images on hearing the

phrase “southern climes,” the training areas of Camp Atterbury and the Muscatatuck Urban Training

Centre, both in Indiana, will definitely be less winter-bound than Canadian training sites at the time.

Deploying up to 300 personnel over the March Break, 31 CBG will field an infantry company

supported by engineers and recce on Operation ARROWHEAD LIGHTNING for live and dry training

in woodland and urban terrain settings.



Camp Atterbury spans more than 35,000 acres of training and maneuver space extending into three

counties of Indiana. Operated by the Indiana National Guard, the base supports active duty and reserve

component training and welcomes outside agencies including the Canadian Army to train there. The

range complex at Atterbury will permit 31 CBG soldiers to practice live fire training at section and

platoon level. Atterbury’s urban training facility, the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, is covers

over 1,000 acres, and includes a 180-acre reservoir, and a complex urban training site with more than

180 structures and a web of underground tunnels.

Taking our soldiers to Indiana in March guarantees that the weather won’t be as potentially disruptive

for the objectives of Op ARROWHEAD LIGHTNING. It also provides the opportunity for our soldiers

to experience training sites of greater complexity than we have in Ontario. These advantages, plus the

appeal of journeying to the Unites States for a training exercise, help to ensure a focussed audience for

a full and rewarding schedule.

Across the Brigade, units remain engaged in busy annual training schedules. To varying degrees, each

unit has contributed soldiers to Op PROVISION, and may have personnel involved in the training of

the Territorial Battle Group, the Arctic Response Company Group, and Operation ARROWHEAD

LIGHTNING. But these are not the only ongoing activities with each unit conducting its own training

to develop the skills and leadership experiences of its own personnel. In addition, 31 CBG’s Battle

School is in operation, with students and instructors from across the brigade employed on designated

Individual Training weekends with recruit and specialist course training. Many soldiers across the

Brigade may be involved in more than one of these activities, and this activity level maintains high

personal tempos of military employment in addition to their academic responsibilities or civilian

careers.

4RCR Update

After a well-deserved Christmas Leave, 4RCR has returned to its training schedule and

supporting operations. A number of soldiers from 4RCR have been tasked to support Op

PROVISION, Canada’s support to the Syrian Refugee crisis. 4RCR has a number of

exercises planned this Winter, including a Winter Warfare exercise planned in the

local area on January 24-26, 2016.



31 Service Battalion Update – Fall 2015 Training Author: Capt Jerry Juraszko Acting Adjutant 31 Svc Bn

The completion of Ex STALWART GUARDIAN 15 (Ex SG 15) (see November 2015 newsletter for

article) brought to an end Reserve Summer Training (RST) for 2015 and subsequently led into our fall

training period. The battalion began this new session on 9 (Windsor) & 10 (London & Hamilton)

September with its annual Administrative Review Verification (ARV) to ensure all soldiers were

administratively prepared for a deployment (domestic or international). It is particularly important that

we ensure soldiers administration (contact info, fitness test, pay, medical, etc.) is in order since

operations are likely to happen on very short notice (as happened with the Hwy 402 closure in 2010).

This means we don’t generally have time to correct administrative shortfalls when the crisis arises so

better to identify them early for correction using the ARV. In addition the Orderly Room clerks were

very busy completing all those claims for individuals who attended RST and Ex SG 15 to ensure

soldiers would get the money owed them.

Major battalion training kicked off on 25-26 Sept with ranges in Cedar Springs Rifle Range (CSRR)

which was our 3rd

and final range exercise to ensure we met the 90% requirement for our Individual

Battle Test Standards (IBTS) for Training Year 2015-16. In addition to the ranges we also supported

HMCS Prevost and 4 RCR on Ex ERIE VALOUR 25-27 Sept (see November 2015 newsletter for

article) with cooks, drivers and trucks for troop-lift. Further we provided soldiers and vehicles for

displays at Warrior’s Day Western Fair (19 Sept) and Open Doors London (26-27 Sept).

September also saw the handover of the Administration Company (Admin Coy) task as part of 31

Territorial Battalion Group from Major Mike Pryor, Officer Commanding (OC) Hamilton Support

Company to Major Catherine Wollocombe, OC Windsor Support Company. She will now have the

opportunity to command, organize and train the Admin Coy till end Aug 16 to ensure it can deploy in

support of a domestic operation. The 1st opportunity for Admin Coy to train as a group happened on Ex

Service Warrior at CFB Borden on 23-25 Oct 15. The training concentrated on organizing the Admin

Coy in an administrative assembly area since troops and equipment came from Windsor, London and

Hamilton. Once assembled, we concentrated on the Battle Test Standards of Occupy and Leaving a

hide both in daylight and at night and defence of a hide using the Soldier’s. The troops performed very

as we trialed the newly amended Soldier’s Aide-Memoire which is issued to each soldier.



For November in addition to company level exercises, the battalion ran Ex ASTUTUTE WARRIOR in

CSRR on 7 – 8 Nov. This was an opportunity for the leadership of the unit (MCpl and up) to do some

Professional Development (PD) and brainstorming on major changes coming up. The most significant

is Op REINFORCEMENT which could have a significant impact on the battalion, though at this time

we have more questions than answers. As part of the PD, we had a field mess dinner on the Saturday

evening where the MCpl’s and Jr. Officers were introduced to one of the formal social aspects of being

in the military. The event was a great success and enjoyed by all. Remembrances Day found us like

every other unit in 31 CBG, engaged with parades and speaker presentations to schools and other

groups. However, the most significant event in November, was the sudden stand-up of Op

PROVISION at the end of the month which saw the battalion deploy 12 personnel on short notice to

Meaford for 3-6 months in support of the governments intent to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to

Canada.

The battalion finished off the year and fall session with Ex SERVICE WALK on 12 Dec which

consisted on the unit completing a 13 Km Load Bearing March as part of IBTS. The scenic route

chosen had us start at HMCS Prevost, walk along the Thames River to Storybook Gardens and return.

That evening saw the battalion come together again (notwithstanding blisters and sore muscles) for the

traditional Soldiers Festive Dinner where the Officers, Warrant Officers and Sergeants in a reversal of

roles serve the soldiers. With Ex SERVICE WALK complete the unit closed down for a well-earned

Christmas/New Year block leave period. We know that the unit will hit the road running again in

January 2016 with a number of major exercises in the Jan-Mar 16 periods.



Significant Military Dates- February

The list of significant military dates each month serves as background for the GCC’s Honouring

Veterans Initiative. The list is not conclusive and is for reference only.

1 February 1968 Unification of the

Canadian Armed

Forces

On 1 February 1968, Bill C-243, The Canadian

Forces Reorganization Act, was granted Royal

Assent, and the Royal Canadian Navy, the

Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force

were combined into one service: the Canadian

Armed Forces.

1 February 1991 The Gulf War “Desert Cat Squadron” pilots carry out 56 bombing

missions during the Gulf War (01-28 Feb).

18 February 1900 Boer War Canadian troops fight South African Boers at the

Battle of Paardeberg (18-27 Feb).

19 February 1951 Korean War 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light

Infantry becomes the first Canadian unit sent to the

front during the Korean War when it moved to the

line north of Yuju under the command of the 27th

Commonwealth Infantry Brigade.

20 February 1958 Avro Canada CF-

105 Arrow is

cancelled

The Arrow's cancellation was announced on 20

February 1959. The day became known as "Black

Friday" in the Canadian aviation industry.

25 February 1945 World War II VC Sergeant A. Cosens, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada,

attacked and captured German strong points located in

three farm buildings at Mooshof, Germany to earn the

Victoria Cross. (Posthumous).


http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canadian_Forces_Reorganization_Act&action=edit&redlink=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canadian_Forces_Reorganization_Act&action=edit&redlink=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Assent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Assent


“DEFENCE CONNEXION DÉFENSE”- DND / CAF

“DEFENCE CONNEXION DÉFENSE” is an external stakeholder e-newsletter produced by the Public

Affairs Branch of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. Each month,

an e-newsletter aims to inform and engage Canadians in defence issues and develop a knowledge and

understanding of the Canadian Armed Forces.

As an example of content, one of the recent articles provides information regarding Operation

UNIFIER, Canada’s contribution to support Ukrainian forces. Follow the link below to get the latest

updates on defence news, including feature stories about operations, exercises, equipment and much

more. http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/news-defence-connexion/index.page

You can also Subscribe or read past issues of “DEFENCE CONNEXION DÉFENSE”

Operation UNIFIER

Operation UNIFIER is Canada’s contribution to support Ukrainian forces through capacity building, in

coordination with the U.S. and other

countries providing similar training

assistance. Military assistance is one

component of Canada’s support to

Ukraine across development, security,

democracy, and humanitarian aid.

As part of Canada’s response to requests

from the Government of Ukraine, the

Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), with

support from the Department of Foreign

Affairs, Trade and Development

(DFATD), is providing military training

and capacity building to Ukraine forces’

personnel to support Ukraine in its

efforts to maintain sovereignty, security,

and stability.

The training mission occurs under the rubric of the Multinational

Joint Commission which includes Ukraine, the United States, Canada,

and the United Kingdom. Canada joined the Joint Commission in

January 2015, and co-chairs, with Ukraine, the Sub-Committee on

Military Policing.

Canada is deploying approximately 200 CAF personnel to Ukraine until March 31, 2017.

(see full article at http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations-abroad/op-unifier.page )

Starychi, Ukraine. 2 November 2015 – A

Canadian Armed Forces sniper takes a

concealed position during training at the

International Peacekeeping and Security

Centre (IPSC) in Starychi, Ukraine during

Operation UNIFIER. (Photo: Canadian

Forces Combat Camera, DND)

http://www.forces.gc.ca/assets/FORCES_Internet/images/operations-abroad/op-unifier/is01-2015-0006-026.jpg


http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations-abroad/op-unifier.page


http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/news-defence-connexion/index.page

http://dgpaapp.forces.gc.ca/en/dc-forms/connexion-en.asp

http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/news-defence-connexion/archive-search.page



GCC Meeting Dates- 2016

Program planning for 2016 is underway. Suggestions from members are always welcome. Please

contact any member of the executive with ideas. Below are the dates to June, 2016.

10 February

09 March

13 April

11 May

08 June

GCC EXECUTIVE

President: Gerry Treble Past President: Jack Scott

Treasurer: Barry Graham Secretary: Beth Sayler

1st Vice President: Geoff Hutton 2nd Vice President: Doug Acton

3rd Vice President: John Cook Garrison Advisor: LCol Dan McLean

Next Meeting: 10 February at the Junior Ranks Mess, Beaver Hall,

Wolseley Barracks. Bar service at 11:15 a.m. with lunch service

beginning at 11:30 a.m., and speaker at 12:00 p.m.

Dave Rohrer, CEO, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, will be our speaker

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Canadian+armed+forces&id=8C48DD1C5B171F72F6E028BD138CED64E8D93A02&FORM=IQFRBA#view=detail&id=8C48DD1C5B171F72F6E028BD138CED64E8D93A02&selectedIndex=0



1st Hussars St. Pat's Pub Night

This event is fundraiser for Boots On The Beach which is an initiative which annually funds the travel

of two serving and deserving 1st Hussars soldiers to represent Canada in Normandy, France.

To purchase tickets, please click on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1st-hussars-st-pats-pub-night-tickets-20429646623


https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1st-hussars-st-pats-pub-night-tickets-20429646623

meet and greet 11:15 a.m. lunch service begins at 11:30 a.m. … · 2019. 1. 10. · gerry treble...

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