5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron

The Headquarters and Signals Squadron (HQ & Sig Sqn) is a tactical command support unit that advises and assists the 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (5 CMGB) Commander in the completion of his mission and provides the necessary means of communication to ensure command and control of his formation.

HQ & Sig Sqn is composed of a Brigade HQ, two composite troops with the capability to deploy a command post in support of current operations, a command post troop, a technical troop and a support troop. HQ Staff are responsible for gathering, analyzing and presenting the information on which the Commander bases his decisions, and then for quickly and accurately relaying his orders to subordinates and supervising their execution.

The first signals squadron was established at Valcartier on August 1, 1961, and was called 6 Signals Squadron, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. The Squadron’s main task was to provide long-distance communications to the Canadian Armed Forces, which were required for the defence of Canada’s North. There were many communication exercises in Canada’s Far North and the unit thus possessed enviable expertise in the area.

5 Combat Group was formed in 1968; 6 Signals Squadron was renamed 5 Signal Squadron and its main role remains the same to this day: provide the formation commander with the personnel and means necessary for the operational command and control of his assigned units. The name was later changed to 5 Combat Group HQ & Sig Sqn when the Squadron was assigned the task of supporting the HQ in the early 1970s.

Today, HQ & Sig Sqn is at the forefront of digitization in the Canadian Armed Forces. The complete digitization of 5 CMBG is a high priority and, given technological advances, will remain so for years to come.

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