If you happen across this, don't be alarmed
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
49TH FIELD REGIMENT
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49th Field Regiment to conduct winter warfare training in Sault Ste. Marie
SAULT STE. MARIE - Soldiers from 49th Field Regiment (SSM), a local Army Reserve formation, will be conducting winter warfare basic training within the city limits of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario during the day of 23 February 2013.
Approximately 25 soldiers will participate in the exercise.
Members of the public may see military personnel walking around the areas of Bellevue Park and the Sault Locks.
The troops will be carrying with them a C7 weapon and be walking in groups pulling a military toboggan.
The training will take place during the daylight hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
No ammunition will be present with any of the troops.
The winter warfare basic course and exercise will enable 49th Field Regiment the ability to develop their winter warfare skills in order to support any winter operations Canadian Forces may participate.
This will not have any negative impact with the general public of Sault Ste Marie, or the environment.
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euroman 2/20/2013 4:04:40 PM ReportC7!!! OMG that's an assault rifle!
Zarm27 2/20/2013 4:16:28 PM ReportIt would be fun if they incorporated community volunteers to act as rebels that could ambush them with snowballs.
thera 2/20/2013 4:41:08 PM ReportI hope they have snowshoes!!
Gater 2/20/2013 4:42:46 PM ReportGood work 49th.Support our troops
harry dick 2/20/2013 5:08:56 PM Reportthat is the new way to conduct war. urban warfare. it is good these troops get urban experience . hopefully they will not have to use this experience on our soil for a long , long time.
Number One Son 2/20/2013 5:22:21 PM ReportOur armed forces is a joke. Who is going to attack us. We only have to keep our noses out of other country's business, and we will be more respected. The USA could learn a lesson from that.
CAMO1 2/20/2013 5:30:16 PM Reporteuroman, good one. number one son, you sir are an idiot.
SPOCK-62 2/20/2013 5:52:26 PM ReportMy son-in-law is with RCR from CFB Gagetown and recently returned from Afghanistan. He is now back "in the field" for ten days living in the bush during a major snow storm. They are practicing to live and fight during the worst conditions. No conveniences whatsoever! Our soldiers are good at what they do! If they aren't doing something no one else wants to do in a terrible place no one else wants to go to, they are doing it here and getting ready for for it.
Just Curious 2/20/2013 6:18:11 PM ReportI have nothing but the utmost respect for our armed forces. They go where no one wants to and they do it terribly ill prepared,thanks to cut backs.I salute them.....
SPOCK-62 2/20/2013 6:48:10 PM Report@ just curious: They aren't ill-prepared. They have state of the art technology that may be a bit older than what we see in magazines etc. What you see on the "news" is not anything like what really happens. I was fortunate to listen to some of their stories and they aren't made for T.V. They are real. The Canadians are the enemy's biggest fear. They don't come and go. They stay.
Sam C 2/20/2013 6:59:17 PM ReportNumber One Son... our military is anything but a joke. Canada defined "peacekeeping," which can only be accomplished by troops who are well prepared for combat. Our troops have proven themselves in many theatres, and are well-respected the world over.
Perhaps you should get to know a few of our soldiers.
As for being attacked -- who thought the US would ever be attacked, and yet... 9/11 happened. But whether defending our own borders, or participating as partners in various missions around the world, our military is worthy of our respect.
JC -- in the 90s you would have been correct, but over the past two decades our military has received upgrades in training and equipment. Yes, we're still waiting for fighter jets and sea-worthy helicopters, but otherwise they are not lacking.
Shortcut 2/20/2013 7:07:05 PM ReportNumber one son I hope you are just trying to get a rise out of people with your asshole comments but I'm not going to bite.
Just curious I have to disagree with you as well. After serving seven years regular force I don't think the CF of today is ill prepared at all. After spending a lot of time on exchanges with our American counterparts and their state of the art technology I can definately tell you ill take our men over their equipment anytime. That's not a slam on anyone just my opinion.
KDawg 2/20/2013 7:28:00 PM Report"Members of the public may see military personnel walking around the areas of Bellevue Park and the Sault Locks.
The troops will be carrying with them a C7 weapon and be walking in groups pulling a military toboggan."
Walking around town in the winter, wearing full gear and pulling toboggans is now considered a military exercise?
Alrighty then.
Shortcut 2/20/2013 7:55:46 PM ReportKdawg may be seen downtown hugging a tree. Don't be alarmed.
kamen 2/20/2013 8:50:14 PM ReportI think it is good to have them training in this weather, They need to be ready for any weather that could possibly be encountered on the field. Although to be carrying such weapons around even without ammo could be a bad idea, there are many people here without the internet or anything like that, and I can see people in fear if they come across such a sight. Maybe there should be signs put up around the areas where this training is in effect. Imagine a senior coming across armed soldiers they are going to have a heart attack. As for 9/11 and all these other things, I believe in the conspiracy theories about these events, and therefore find it an inappropriate swing in the topic that has been brought to our attention for the simple fact that this is likely to cause quite the argument in the comments. I myself believe what I believe and I won't be trying to talk people into believing it as well but others are not so open minded about the idea.
Zarm27 2/20/2013 9:18:10 PM ReportI wonder if anyone ever rides in that military toboggan...
Anyways, a better exercise would be to have the reservists spend a week with a local Canadian Ranger somewhere. Walking around town is not surviving, although is good practice in the event of protecting our city. Also, in regards to the active members, they're very well trained. People focus too much on technology, and the fact is a simple bolt action rifle like a 7mm hunting rifle are actually just an extension of the user, which in the right hands can out perform others. All it would take is actually talking to a member and hearing one of their stories to actually realize what they go through and are capable of.
lavendalilly 2/20/2013 9:57:46 PM ReportIf you don't want to stand behind your troops and support their training, feel free to stand infront of them.
Have respect for the people that go above and beyond in hell.
Bad Dawg 2/20/2013 10:46:33 PM ReportShortcut.... Thank you for your service.
Its easy to sit and type witty comments about our military.... your not out there help pulling the sled...... shut the hell up!!
SPOCK-62 2/20/2013 10:49:07 PM ReportAll interesting comments. Our seniors will be happy to see our soldiers parading and exercising. They certainly have worse memories. I've seen comments about other stories and people think it would be good for criminals to join in with the the army etc. and learn some discipline. That is supposed to be taught at home. Our soldiers volunteer and make their own decision to represent and/or fight during troubled times, for Canada. They don't want the bad apples in their regiment[s]. That is non-productive. I've talked with them, and they hate that idea.
lavendalilly 2/20/2013 11:17:51 PM ReportCan't agree more Spock!! Why babysit when attention is needed elsewhere!! I can't blame the military for hating that idea at all. Its not boot camp. Its the military. Big difference.
Just Curious 2/21/2013 11:36:47 AM ReportI was in no way trying to put down our troops with my remarks. Yes, the aircraft and helicopter conditions do leave them in a bad way in a lot of respects. Yes ,I know things have improved for them the last few years. I also know we have some special forces that can go against any other special forces in the world,and every time I read of some of their exploits I feel proud. I have quite a few family members who are serving or haved served,tried to join myself when much younger but wasn't accepted because they weren't taking married men at the time and vision was border-line. As I said,nothing but respect,didn't need to get chewed out...:)
B Boy 2/21/2013 12:08:30 PM ReportWhen I was with 3RCR from 92-97 our winter indoc was always done in Churhill, MB.
Keep in mind that the 49th is a reservist regiment and artillery on top of that. Don't get this MOC confused with infantry where the combat training is more rigorous. Also keep in mind that all regiments have a budget, The larger the regiment the larger the budget. The 49th is a small reservist unit so having kit around town in the cold may be the only thing in their budget. My CF career began in the 11th arty and our budget sucked, we often didn't even have live rounds. But those were the Liberal days who were against the CF.
I loved the CF and I'm only out now because of injuries and my wife's ultimatum after UNPROFOR. Still miss it.
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