A Soldier from the 1st Bn., RCR, roles plays a casualty during convoy operations training. Photo by Maj. Deanna Bague.
1st RCR takes on multiple threats during convoy ops
Maj. Deanna Bague, Fort Bliss Public Affairs
DOÑA ANA RANGE, N.M. – Crews from the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, mounted up and rolled down a 22-kilometer road where they encountered multiple threats during convoy operations training Friday in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan in the fall.
Barely five minutes on the road, the Canadian soldiers dealt with a simulated vehicle breakdown and role players playing the part of Afghan locals. They successfully got their vehicle up and running and the convoy moved forward, but not for long. One of their vehicles caused a car accident, and while dealing with it, they got ambushed. Then, a suicide bomber approached them and blew up their lead vehicle, “killing” some troops within the scenario.
Master Cpl. Scott Byers, crew commander, 1st Bn., RCR, who was deployed to Afghanistan a year ago, said the scenarios are representative of the types of threats soldiers face in Afghanistan.
“For us security (personnel), we’re doing mostly convoys,” said Byers. “So these scenarios like a car accident are very likely in Kandahar city. An ambush, like a few guys popping some shots at you … and basically everything we’ve (trained for) here, is probably going to happen (because) it has happened before.”
Canadian forces from the 1st Bn., RCR, react to a mock ambush. Photo by Maj. Deanna Bague.
While the crew was dealing with the menace to their convoy operations, observer controller/trainers from the Canadian Manouevre Training Centre were watching and evaluating their reactions to the threats.
“My job is to oversee training and provide feedback, observations good and bad to facilitate training,” said Maj. Andrew Lussier, observer controller/trainer, CMTC. “The training simulated an improvised explosive device strike in Afghanistan with a small ambush. Specifically, what we’re looking at is their reaction to the IED, reaction to any enemy contact, and then consequently the treatment, care and extraction of wounded soldiers.”
A Soldier from the 1st Bn., RCR, scouts for enemy threats. Photo by Maj. Deanna Bague.
Col. Craig King, commander of the CMTC, said the Canadian forces are learning the mechanics of convoy drills with an emphasis on how to respond to IEDs, ambushes and other threats in country. This is good exposure to prepare them for their upcoming training at the CMTC at Wainwright, Alberta, in the spring, said King.
Lussier said the training at the CMTC is a little more intense. Fort Bliss provides a tremendous training opportunity of working in the desert during this time of year, unlike with the sub-zero temperatures in Canada, said Lussier.