One of the last things we did in Camp Holopina was the beginning of the tear down & closing of the Camp. It had been in the works for a year or so, but was finally actioned at the end of Roto 8. A 30 man TAV (Technical Assistance Visit) Team flew over from Canada for the closing. 6 Pl, with Cpl's Pate & Gallagher had moved to a new Platoon house near Sanski Most at Tomina. The new Platoon house was then named Camp Ypres, and became their new home for the last bit of the tour. Yours truly, on the other hand, (with Mortars) moved to Camp Black Bear, in Velika Kladusa.

With the movement, also came a shift of AOR's (Areas Of Responsibility). This happened as Czech Bat, the Battle Group from the Czech Republic moved out & we split their old AOR with the UK Battle Group. Between moving, closing and shifting, the last months was a busy time for all of us.

Photo 1 - THE FINAL CLOSING.
ISO's that were once "home" are lifted & redeployed, as we redeploy!

After clearing out through Velika Kladusa, a 2 hour bus ride to Zagreb, a 3 hour wait for the flight, a 3 hour flight to Glasgow Scotland, a 1 hour refuel, a 7 hour flight to Trenton, a 2 hour clearance through customs, a 3 1/2 hour bus ride to Petawawa, a quick parade and a 1 hour in-clearance we were free to go...some for the night, some on leave. RHLI members returned the following morning for the last bit of paperwork & final cheque then off on leave! It was a long day, but well worth it!

This concludes the reports from Bosnia. All in all, it was a good tour & great to serve with the RHLI Troops that were deployed. Their skill & professionalism was demonstrated time & time again, with nothing but favourable reports from the various organizations.

Pro Patria!
Semper Paratus!

Photo 2
WAITING FOR DADDY.
Mackenzie & Shane Gamble await their first veiw of their Daddy in Petawawa.