Canadian Army conducts gunners exercise

The 5th Canadian Light Artillery Regiment (5 RALC) has deployed to 5 Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown for Exercise Pièces Aguerries, the Canadian government announced on 22 April.

Preparations for the exercise saw a contingent of 275 soliders and around 100 army vehicles deploy to Gagetown, including light armored vehicles, tracked light armoured vehicles (on floats), M777 lightweight 155-mm towed howitzers on flatbed trucks, light support vehicle wheeled, medium support vehicle systems, and 10-tonne trucks.

The 5 RALC will use four M777s to carry out regimental shooting plans, quick-actions drills, harassing fire on demand and fire-on-sight missions. 

Soldiers will also train in the command of M777 and mortar detachments in order to develop the skills of the regiment to support the Royal Canadian Artillery School (RCAS) in the conduct of the live-fire exercise Battery Commander Course 2016 that will run in May. This course consists of training on the C3 105-mm howitzer, a command-post confirmation exercise, and the conduct of a live-fire exercise.

Exercise Pièces Aguerries, which will run through to mid-May, allows the Canadian Army to maintain its operational readiness and preparedness.

Speaking ahead of the exercise, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Poitras, commander, 5th Light Artillery Regiment, Canada, said: ‘This training is the follow-up to Exercise Pièces Mobiles, held at Valcartier in March. Exercise Pièces Aguerries will allow my gunners to practice their skills up to the battery level. During the last week of the exercise, we will offer support to our colleagues at the RCAS.

‘I would venture to say that the contribution of 5 RALC will help to enhance the excellent training Canadian gunners already receive in Gagetown.’