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http://www.army.dnd.ca/lfwa/feature_convoy_training.htm
Wainwright, Alberta â “ Soldiers from 1 Service Battalion (1 SVC BN) are taking the hard lessons learned by the American Armed Forces in Iraq and applying them to their own convoy operations tactics.
Western Area Training Centre
In April, 2004 they spent two weeks at the Western Area Training Center (WATC) polishing old skills and learning new ones to use on the upcoming deployment to Operation ATHENA.
â Å“We've seen the problems that American convoys have had in Iraq, as well as in Afghanistan,â ? says Major Bruce Fitzsimmons, Acting Commanding Officer of 1 SVC BN. â Å“This is something, in my experience, that 1 SVC BN and logistics have not spent a lot of time on in the last 15 or 20 years. So whatever expertise we had has almost been lost...with what we've seen on the recent operations, we have decided here at Wainwright to focus more on the fighting aspect of convoy operations.â ?
A gun jeep crew from 1 Service Battalion rushes in to confront the enemy after the convoy has been ambushed
Some of the updated tactics that the battalion is employing are for both short and long convoys and for escorted or not escorted convoys. Convoy commanders will now have the ability to assess any threat to their convoys. The drivers and co-drivers will also be better trained to react to any threat that faces them.
One of the new tactics being used is the introduction of a heavy gun truck that gives convoy commanders a fast reacting firebase to get their people out of trouble. The gun truck is new to Canadian convoys but it is something that the Americans have employed in the past in Vietnam and are reintroducing into their doctrine after recent events in Iraq.
And what do the troops think of these new tactics?
â Å“We're learning a lot of different tactics,â ? says Corporal Mike Gillatly. â Å“Learning what to look for and to keep our eyes open. This will help every member of the convoy on the road.â ?
Master Corporal Thomas O'Neil also comments on the new tactics; â Å“This is extremely beneficial because they have changed they way we should
react to the ambush drills or obstacle drills...
99.9 percent of the people will agree that we will stand a better chance of surviving doing convoy drills this way."
Original Article and pictures
http://www.army.dnd.ca/lfwa/feature_convoy_training.htm
Wainwright, Alberta â “ Soldiers from 1 Service Battalion (1 SVC BN) are taking the hard lessons learned by the American Armed Forces in Iraq and applying them to their own convoy operations tactics.
Western Area Training Centre
In April, 2004 they spent two weeks at the Western Area Training Center (WATC) polishing old skills and learning new ones to use on the upcoming deployment to Operation ATHENA.
â Å“We've seen the problems that American convoys have had in Iraq, as well as in Afghanistan,â ? says Major Bruce Fitzsimmons, Acting Commanding Officer of 1 SVC BN. â Å“This is something, in my experience, that 1 SVC BN and logistics have not spent a lot of time on in the last 15 or 20 years. So whatever expertise we had has almost been lost...with what we've seen on the recent operations, we have decided here at Wainwright to focus more on the fighting aspect of convoy operations.â ?
A gun jeep crew from 1 Service Battalion rushes in to confront the enemy after the convoy has been ambushed
Some of the updated tactics that the battalion is employing are for both short and long convoys and for escorted or not escorted convoys. Convoy commanders will now have the ability to assess any threat to their convoys. The drivers and co-drivers will also be better trained to react to any threat that faces them.
One of the new tactics being used is the introduction of a heavy gun truck that gives convoy commanders a fast reacting firebase to get their people out of trouble. The gun truck is new to Canadian convoys but it is something that the Americans have employed in the past in Vietnam and are reintroducing into their doctrine after recent events in Iraq.
And what do the troops think of these new tactics?
â Å“We're learning a lot of different tactics,â ? says Corporal Mike Gillatly. â Å“Learning what to look for and to keep our eyes open. This will help every member of the convoy on the road.â ?
Master Corporal Thomas O'Neil also comments on the new tactics; â Å“This is extremely beneficial because they have changed they way we should
react to the ambush drills or obstacle drills...
99.9 percent of the people will agree that we will stand a better chance of surviving doing convoy drills this way."
Original Article and pictures
http://www.army.dnd.ca/lfwa/feature_convoy_training.htm
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