EX RILEY FIREPOWER II - March 14-21 2009

Capt Tim Fletcher

The March Break for 2009 found The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry engaged on two fronts. While one contingent took part in urban operations training in Fort Knox Kentucky, another battle group was in action for Exercise Riley Firepower II, at Canadian Forces Base Borden, near Barrie.

A key part of the training was exposure to a wide range of Canadian Forces weapons not normally employed in the infantry, but which our soldiers may be required to use in combat on overseas operations. This included the C8, the carbine version of the standard C7 rifle; the C7A2, the collapsible-stock version of the C7 which is slowly replacing the solid-stock version; the shotgun; and the Browning 9mm pistol. All were using iron sights in place of the usual Elcan optical sight to ensure traditional skills were kept up.

Our soldiers put the firearms through their paces in a variety of target engagements requiring them to use judgment, fire discipline, observation and of course, accurate aimed fire. It ended with a shoot involving small targets and clay pigeons, starting with the rifle and switching to pistol to finish.

Watch and shoot!