National Honorary Colonels’ Conference
Update for Artillery Honorary Colonels
SITREP from the Colonel Commandant

“The Guns – UBIQUE”

Honoraries – it was great to see so many attend the National Honorary Colonels’ Conference in Ottawa this past weekend – 25-26 April 2008.

The purpose of this note is to follow on from our Gunner discussions at the National Honorary Colonels’ Conference. At that time I gave you a very brief overview of the state of the guns. The aim of this SITREP is to flesh that out and update you on the state of the union. I will not attempt to re-hash that which was discussed throughout the day at the Hon Col Conf, but instead will stick to matters Artillery.

The State of the Regiment

This a great time to be a Gunner. We have clearly lived up to and mastered the operational demands in Afghanistan – putting rounds where they need to be in support of the all arms and services team on the battlefield. We are a significant force enabler and force multiplier – be it acquiring targets, engaging targets, coordinating fires or collecting and collating tactical information. The Infantry, Armour and Engineers. i.e., the combat arms team, simply do not conduct operations unless and until the guns are in range. We have superb soldiers carrying out the full spectrum of operational tasks. Our soldiers in the Artillery are competent, professional, fit, tactically astute, capable of multi-tasking, and fully attuned to all operational matters. No bravado, no flexing of muscles, no artificial elitism – just doing the job of putting steel where it is needed, when it’s needed, and coordinating all aspects of kinetic and nonkinetic resources to achieve the desired effect in support of ISAF throughout Kandahar province. Not only do our guns support the Canadian units, but they have provided intimate (and by intimate I mean as close as 40 metres, at ranges that exceed firing table ranges) support to US (especially Special Forces who sometimes lack other support), British (including the renowned Gurkhas), Dutch, and of course Afghan forces. UBIQUE.

The men and women in the Artillery, Regular Force and Reserve, are being recognized as being outstanding professionals. Not only those on operations, but those who train, support and equip them. And behind every Gunner you’ll find a family and a network of friends and supporters. What happens in the Armouries, the training area, the base, the Battle or Artillery Schools, or the home unit is critical to success in operations, and obviously, in spite of numerous resource, administrative and practical challenges they face on a day to day basis, we seem to be doing things right. The folks behind the scene are heroes – because they enable and support our Gunners on operations.

Our Forward Observers and Forward Air Controllers are in the front lines every day, 24/7 for months at a time. We have outstanding equipment – counter-mortar radars, acoustic sensors, AUVs, air coordination systems, and command and control systems. Our people in the fire support coordination centres at every level, tactical and operational are coordinating fire and other effects. We have Gunners training the Afghan Army and Police, and Gunners supporting the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). In each rotation there are about 250 Gunners, of which 40 to 50 are Reservists – and Reservists often have prominent positions or full gun detachments. In action, they are indistinguishable from their Regular Force counterparts.

Gunners are good at almost any task assigned because they are soldiers first, and they think in terms of “Effects-Based” Operations – always endeavoring to employ the most appropriate means to achieve the desired effect.

The vast Gunner network on operations or in Canada reaches into every headquarters, unit and town in Canada – however you, the Honorary, are the key link to Canadians and Canadian communities. I cannot thank Honoraries enough for their support to our troops. We serve as one family in the Artillery, a family that has a tremendous outreach and reachback – and let us continue to use this network to build on the current momentum.

The Royal Canadian Artillery Association – AGM in Quebec City

The 2008 Annual General Meeting of the RCAA will be held in Quebec City from 11 September to 13 September. The theme at this year’s AGM Seminar is “The Artillery Post Afghanistan.” Past seminars have been very informative and successful, and this year’s promises to live up to the same high standard.

You will know, of course that this year is the 400th Birthday of Quebec City, so what a grand event it will be, and it is the 40th Anniversary of the formation of 5e Régiment d’artillierie légère du Canada.

I personally would like to see a very good turnout of Honoraries. General/Senator Roméo Dallaire will be there, as will the Chief of land Staff General Andrew Leslie and the Commander of the US Artillery School, Fort Sill USA. I do know that several units are sponsoring a number of Junior Officers and NCOs, so that they may share in this experience. So, let’s look forward to a good turnout, and a great AGM.

Due to the high turnout expected, it is imperative to make your reservations early. The information can be found at www.artillery.net or refer to Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Jim Bryce who is president of the RCAA. He can be reached at cm-bryce@storm.ca

The Artillery Advisory Council – Gagetown, 21-22 May

The Artillery Advisory Board will be meeting in Gagetown in a few weeks – 21 and 22 May. AAB is made up of the Director of Artillery (Colonel Roch Lacroix – soon to be replaced by Colonel Dave Marshall), and all Commanding Officers and RSMs. These are the folks who put the meat on the Artillery transformation Plan – they will thrash out issues of personnel, positions, equipment, training and doctrine. I understand that General Stu Beare, who commands the Army’s Doctrine and Training formation and who Chairs Artillery Council, will attend, as will I. Please let your CO know if you have any issues you want or need resolved and check in after to get feedback.

Please note that the “Director of Artillery” is the legitimate/legal voice of the Artillery. On matters related to the Artillery – people, units, doctrine, training, organization, etc, he has command, coordination, organizational and fiduciary responsibilities to the Chief of Land Staff and the CDS.

DARTY can be reached at lacroix.jcr@forces.gc.ca and after 23 May marshall.dd@forces.gc.ca

The RCA Heritage Program

The aim of the RCA Heritage Program is:

“To bring the story of the Royal Canadian Artillery to all Canadians”

• Interpret the Story
  
• Preserve the Story
  
• Tell the Story
  
• Promote the Story
  

Heritage Council met on Friday the 25th, with about 20 in attendance. We have a full time Director of Artillery Heritage, Lieutenant Colonel Leon Jensen, who can be contacted at Jensen.l@forces.gc.ca

Leon can put you in touch with General (Ret’d) Mike Jeffery who is the Honorary National Chairman of the Heritage Campaign and Colonel (Ret’d) Doug Briscoe who is the Chair of the Heritage Campaign – the “Campaign” being the fund raising part of the Heritage Program.

I ask that all Gunners actively support our efforts in the RCA Heritage Program – nationally and locally. The Heritage Program sets out to get the Gunner message out. I personally believe that our Heritage outreach efforts contribute directly towards our operational capacity. I believe that morale, esprit-de- corps, cohesion, teamwork and networking are force enablers and force multipliers. Knowing from where we come, what we are all about, and where we are going will all help us build on our successes and keep the current momentum going. To this end, please participate in our Heritage efforts, and encourage others to do so.

At our meeting we discussed, and agreed on:

• The governance structure and philosophy (Artillery Council and DArty lead on all matters operational, while Heritage Council, with the Colonel Commandant as Chair, takes the lead on matters of Heritage)

• Membership (and I will disseminate the names soon – but we wish to have Gunner, Regional, Community, Officer/NCO and prominent citizen representation.)

• The RCA Heritage Program and Plan – principles and priorities – the plan will be published on the Artillery website.

• This year’s Business Plan - still evolving, but evolving well indeed

• Next year’s Business Plan

• Key issues and priorities
  • The most significant of which is our networking and communications within the Royal Regiment (we will have a new and revitalized website up soon)
  • Improved and Revitalized Quadrant

• And, lastly the Heritage Campaign – which deals with raising money primarily on a face to face basis, but we never turn down corporate contributions or other ideas to raise funds.

General Romeo Dallaire is our Patron, and we were indeed proud and pleased to welcome him to our meeting for a few words of wisdom and inspiration (That’s what Senators are all about!). In a nutshell, he reflected that in his experience, when all else failed, his memories of life in the Royal Regiment gave him a “point of reference” to carry him through the hard times. He would reflect back on his buddies that would buck him up. He’d remember Sergeant Majors who would push him on. And he’d remember the good times in Regimental life. It was the RegimentalHeritage that fostered cohesion, morale, camaraderie, fighting spirit, determination and down-to-earth friendship –and memories of the Regimental family that would carry him through. (I have taken liberties with exactly what he said – but this is what I got out of his message).

Back to my earlier point – Regimental Heritage is a force generating factor and a force multiplier. The Heritage Program needs our support – our troops need its support.

For more on the RCA Heritage Program, contact:

• Former Col Comdt: MGen (Retd) John Arch McInnis hymaci@sympatico.ca

• Hon National Chair, Heritage Campaign: LGen (Retd) Mike Jeffery mkjeffery@rogers.com

• Chair Heritage Campaign: Col (Retd) Doug Bricoe jdbriscoe02@aol.com

• Director of Arty Heritage: LCol Leon Jensen Jensen.l@forces.gc.ca

Regimental Senates

I briefly talked about Regimental Senates, and how important they are to the life of your Regiment – particularly morale, cohesion and esprit de corps. I will draft up a model of a model “Constitution” or “Terms of Reference,” and send it out to all. I understand that many Regiments have such and if so; could you please send them to me so that I can pick out the best of ideas to include in our “model/template.”

“Who is Chair of the Regimental Senate – the Honorary Colonel or the CO?” It will vary from unit to unit – whatever works best. But, the Regimental Senate is the keeper of Heritage matters in the unit, and “promoter” of the Regimental “Story” in your community. Interpret, preserve, tell and promote the story.

The Honoraries should normally take the lead on Heritage matters, but let there be no question that the Commanding Officer has the authority, responsibility and accountability for all matters operational. Honoraries do not engage themselves in matters of operations.

Concluding Comments

I enjoyed meeting many of the Honoraries at the Hon Col Conf, and it was a pleasure speaking with you. I personally found it to be a good day with many positive initiatives happening. I must, however state that there were a few things said and a few things left unsaid that concern me. I will work hard to clarify what the real intent is and take action to support what I believe is best for the Guns, the Army and Canada. I will enthusiastically support the chain of command as long as I believe that their concepts and intentions are right, and I will offer my counsel if I believe otherwise. The Army is in a serious war, in fact Canada is in a serious war. We have lost 83 in Afghanistan and there are three or four hundred wounded. The Army needs our support as they never have in my time of service. Our support to the Army is through our units and through our communities – doing what we each believe in our hearts is the right thing to do for Canada. I know that each and every one of the Honoraries has their heart, their sense of loyalty and their intellect in the right place, and I encourage you to keep up your personal efforts to support the “Guns,” the Army and Canada.

Our place on the “Right of the Line” is widely understood and embraced. A few weeks ago, in my presence at one of the Forward Operation Bases (FOBs) in Afghanistan, Chief Warrant Officer Marchand, the RSM of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal 22nd Regiment said to “B” Troop, X Battery – “Thank God the Guns, Thank God the Guns, Thank God the Guns!” His sentiments reflect the heartfelt feedback from the soldiers and officers of 3R22eR and all soldiers in combat in Afghanistan over the past several years and continuing today. Those sentiments are echoed everywhere.

Please feel free to contact me at any time to talk about matters Artillery. Do not feel constrained to voice your concerns and offer constructive advice – keeping in mind the tremendous challenges that General Leslie and his commanders face, and the responsibilities they shoulder. Having been appointed by the Minister, you have the right to offer constructive ideas to or express your concerns to the MND, CDS, General Leslie, the chain of command, the Director of Artillery, or whomever. You have much to offer – and that is why you have been appointed to such an exalted position as an Honorary Colonel of a fine Regiment or Battery in Canada’s heartland – your community. I thank you for your wise counsel and mentorship to your Commanding Officer and your Regiment/Battery, and I especially thank you for your support to “The Guns” of Canada.

Good Shooting. Ubique

Ernie Beno

Ernest B. Beno, OMM, CD
Brigadier-General (Retired)
Colonel Commandant
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Phone: 613-389-6940
Mobile: 613-530-0694
E-mail: beno@kos.net

Gunners in Training – with the Old Standby – the 105mm C1

Fire For Effect - UBIQUE