We’ve now completed part 2 of the Winter Warfare Basic course offered by the Lincoln and Welland Regiment.
Soldiers from the Regiment, Cadets and Officers assembled at the Regiment headquarters at the Lake Street Armoury on Friday evening where we prepped for the FTX portion of the course. The trucks were packed and we headed out to our new home for the weekend…..the Winona Rifle Range in Grimsby. We arrived at about 2100hrs and pitched our tents, set up our stoves and lit our lanterns. We then began our evening routine and settled in. For those doing fire picket duty throughout the night, the 0600hrs reveille came early.
At 0600, we struck our tents, packed our gear, ate breakfast and got ready for the day. Practical lessons in pitching/striking tents, over land navigation, pacing, and improvised shelters were conducted. All of this done along side of the troops from the Regiment. The cadets tried IMP’s, the CF version of the infamous MRE. The consensus was that the MRE’s should be ditched for the more preferred IMP
Night time meant sleeping in our lean-to shelters (in the out doors w/ with the occasional snow flake hitting you in the face as you slept). Cadets took turns conducting fire picket. Each group stoked the 8′ long fire and kept the rest of the troops warm. Thanks to those brave souls.
Sunday morning meant tearing down the camp, and putting out fires. We towed the sleds down to the waterfront for a signal fire demonstration. Following this, we headed to the butts of the range, where we went over winter defenses. There was a mouse on hand that showed us just how well they worked. We then raced down to the side of the range (with the sled in tow) where we raced against the Regiment to set up camp, boil water and present Capt Christensen with a hot beverage. The good Captain then instructed us to strike camp & proceed to the entrance of the range where we had to compete again a second time.
After the competition was completed, we put on the snow shoes for one more turn around the range. We then packed up the sleds, had lunch, cleaned up and got on the busses for the return trip to the Armoury. Kit was returned and final comments were made. We all went home tired, but grateful for the experience.
Congratulations to WO2 Gowans and FSgt Abt for completing the course. Hope you had a great time. A big thanks goes out to Capt Christensen and the Regiment for having us out. We’re looking forward to the next outing with the Lincs.
