Tuesday, July 08

Tuesday, July 08

On Tuesday, we fired Match 7, The Attack Match (also known as the Roberts). It is fired on the Drouet electric target range, and includes an approach run, followed by an “Attack and Reorganization” with 30 shots fired in a combination of rapids and snaps, then a “Counter Attack” with a “ripple” of targets at 300, 200, and 100 meters, and finally a “Patrol Encounter”, a double-tap snap from the sitting, kneeling or squatting position.

Top Canadians in Match 7 were Sgt McKillop and Cpl Kennedy, tied with a score of 192. Hot on their heels were CWO Atkins and Sgt Walsh with scores of 188.

In the afternoon, we shot Match 17, the Urban Contact (FIBUA) match. This is a 40-shot continuous fire and movement match, under conditions likely to be encountered fighting in an urban environment.

Top Canadians in Match 17 were MCpl Savard and MCpl Benvie with 181 and 179 respectively. The picture shows the start of the match with the shooters using cover from 100 meters.

The Australia-New Zealand reception was held on Tuesday evening, a terrific BBQ and marvelous companionship. The picture shows the NZ team captain and coach presenting Maj Ali Aitken with a plaque.

Monday, July 07

On Monday morning the team was at Drouet Range for Match 2 – The Defence Match (also known as the Roupell Cup). This range has “electric targets” set in the field at 100, 200 and 300 meters. The match starts with a respirator run and then a series of snap shoots from the prone, from the fire trench, from the kneeling around cover, from the standing or kneeling unsupported. Top Canadians were CWO Atkins and Sgt Walsh, tied with a score of 136.

In the afternoon, we fired Match 6 – The Fleeting Encounter Match, commonly called The Mover. This is a moving target match, with fast and slow runs from the left and from the right. Top Canadians were Cpl Leduc and Sgt McKillop with scores of 44 and 42 respectively.

The picture shows a range officer watching one of the Canadians shooting the Mover. The target can be seen just emerging from the barricade into the shooter’s firing lane.

Sunday, July 06

On Sunday, the team fired two matches. Match 4, the Rural Contact match, involves sharpshooting from 500 yards, then fire and movement from 500 to 100 yards, as well as rapid fire and snap shooting at 300 yards. Top Canadian shooters in this match were CWO Atkins and WO Verch, tied with a score of 172.

Match 3, the Advance to Contact Match (also known as the Whitehead), involves an approach run and then a continuous fire and movement match, with a 400-meter “Attack” (an agony snap on fall-when-hit targets), a 300-meter “Consolidation” (a snap shoot from the trench), a 200-meter “Patrol Encounter” (a snap from the standing, kneeling or squatting positions, returning to a standing alert between exposures), and finally a 100-meter “Close Quarter Battle” (a double-tap snap from the standing position). Top Canadian shooters in this match WO Verch and MCpl Savard, with 152 and 148 respectively.

The pictures show some of the Canadian team members returning from the approach run. (Yes, they are still wearing 48 lbs of equipment.)

Saturday, 05 July - The fun begins...

On Saturday, we completed our final day of training. The rest of the time here at Bisley is wall-to-wall competition.

We inaugurated the main portion of the competition with the Cheylesmore Cup – the falling plates – a very popular and hotly contested match. We entered four teams and we swept the match, finishing the top four and ending the 9-year Omani winning streak.

Friday - We get our feet wet...

On Friday, we had a nice training day on Ash-4… we did a few match work ups and enjoyed the outstanding weather. Later in the afternoon we went over and spent a few hours on Drouet Range trying to get a few of our NRA shooters squadded by infiltration… after quite a few phone calls, they were able to fire Match 2. The rest of the team fires that match later in the week.

But the really big news of the day was that our re-supply of ammo arrived! We all breathed a big sigh of relief to know that we would have enough to complete the mission.

Thursday, July 03 - "Day Off"

Today, the team visited Windsor Castle and finally had enough down-time to do some laundry! The coaches spent the day catching up on paperwork… the picture shows their “office”.

Wednesday - "Day Off"

It’s hard to call such a busy day “a day off”.

The team had a little sleep-in this morning, with breakfast being at 0800. Then they visited the Brookwood Cemetery, where many Canadian soldiers are buried.

After a quick lunch in downtown Brookwood, the team returned to Canada House to prepare for a visit from General Romses and Colonel Cotton. The team honored the General with a Quarter Guard and during these formalities, MS Browne was given his promotion to PO2 Browne. Following, the General and the Colonel stayed on for the daily team meeting, during which time the ARA/NRA teams were announced.

Mid-afternoon, the team went to get through the required “weapons check” for the competitions.

Finally, we went to one of the ranges where we could look at the obstacles that would be used for Match 34 – Combat Snaps. The picture shows Nic trying out one of the obstacles.
With about two hours left before dinner, the team finally had a little down time.

Tuesday Evening - Canadian Reception

The Canadian Reception was great! We had a large turnout of teams and the food and fellowship were excellent.

In the first picture, Jason dips the first serving of the famous Canadian “moose milk”, a marvelous concoction of cream, ice cream, rum, Bailey’s and perhaps a few secret magic ingredients.

In the second picture, George (of the Oromocto Volunteer Fire Fighters) watches carefully at the BBQ. The meal was delicious, with lots of steak, chicken, salad, and sweets… oh yes, and lots of fresh strawberries.

George was also given the honor of being the first person to fire the cannon, and Neal was the second person.

Tuesday - Canada Day at Century Range

Happy Canada Day! We had a full day on Century Range and only had to share our firing points with the Omanis and one British team. We practiced Match 8 and Match 4 which are ARA matches and which will be used this year as concurrent matches for the NRA’s Queen Mary, the Bisley Bullet, et al.