February sapper mag:Layout 1 21/1/09 16:10 Page 2
Introduction ... ... Maj Ed Robinson, OC 21 Fd Sqn (EOD)
I
n Autumn 2008, I had the pleasure of taking 50 or so 10 figure grid taken. The list was then given at the end of the
soldiers out to Canada to conduct the annual range sweep day to the EOD teams who followed up the day after to carry
clearance of BATUS so that the training areas are safe for the out “positive EOD action”.
2009 training year. There was also a chance to ensure everyone Following BATUS briefs from the RSM about how much
got to see and explore a bit of what is a vast country, with some trouble we were all going to get in down town and some
Adventurous Training thrown in for good measure. Fueled with driving familiarisation, the sweep began. The first three days
plenty of time off the prairie, time to explore the delights of turned out to be very busy for the EOD teams with the first
Medicine Hat, Edmonton, and for some even Vancouver, areas cleared being artillery ranges. The EOD team led by Sgt
combined with a week of skiing, which was free for the “Dinger” Bell disposed of a number of 155mm HE Projectiles,
majority, this was an opportunity not to miss! A great deploy- 81mm HE Mortars and countless 51mm Smoke. The CO and
ment, and chance to focus on something other than operations, RSM managed to fit in a visit to Canada and spent a day on
but nonetheless sustaining preparations for operations, is rare in the range with the EOD teams, where they very much enjoyed
these times and great for morale! Range Clearance - Corporals getting some “hands on” experience. Thankfully, they weren’t
“Sea Bass” Smith and “Bumbers” Bumby there when we managed to set the prairie on fire!
We arrived in Canada to blow stuff up and make BATUS safe for The sweep continued relentlessly until completed on
the next training year. We had a selection of lucky soldiers from schedule nine days later. This then gave way for a good dose
49, 22 and 17 Squadrons and 101 Engr Regt (V) (EOD), and a of R&R and Adventure Training. Having skied before - and
number of civilians from Explosive Ordnance Clearance. Even being a bit of an ace boarder myself - I joined a group of
the OC and SSM tagged along! It was basically a huge “outside experienced skiers and had an awesome time in Banff – oh,
areas” of a training area which apparently is the size of and I got to do a bit of snow boarding too!
Luxembourg. The sweep itself consisted of three baselines each Canada was a worthwhile experience, gaining some EOD
with about 20 vehicles. EOD personnel were interspersed with experience for the newly qualified and carrying out an
infantry to provide advice on UXO recognition. Once items were important task. We had some fantastic R&R and many
identified as UXO, they were marked with red stakes and a GPS gained Adventurous Training qualifications. All said and
done, everyone had a great time in Canada – even if we did
return with considerably lighter “R&R wallets”!
21 Fd Sqn (E
2
The Sapper Articles
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68