Ex KAPYONG SPADE enhances 2 PPCLI’s gunnery skills
November 16, 2023 - Western Sentinel
One of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry’s (2 PPCLI) major training exercises took over the Canadian Forces Base Shilo training area for more than six weeks through late summer and early autumn.
Exercise KAPYONG SPADE (Ex KS) ran from Aug. 28 to Oct. 13, and featured various training serials covering such skills as pairs ranges, Level 2 live fire exercises, Level 3 dry fire exercises and Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) crew training.
The exercise is critical to ensuring the readiness of infantry soldiers, explained Lieutenant (Navy) Josh Ehnisz, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Public Affairs Officer.
Among the officers in charge of running the exercise and helping soldiers enhance their skills in preparation for potential deployments overseas was Captain Tyler Hill, who oversaw the Battalion LAV Gun Camp as Officer in Charge.
Capt Hill explained the gun camp was a series of ranges that saw crews progress from stationary shooting to shooting on the move. During the course, the soldiers became familiar with all the weaponry available to them in order to complete their tasks.
“The LAV gun camp was an excellent opportunity for LAV crews to work on their skills and drills in an austere environment,” he said. “The [camp] was well received and the participating crews saw it as an excellent opportunity to improve.”
Capt Hill added the final range was the highlight of the camp, as the soldiers were challenged beyond what they were accustomed to. He explained the trainers inserted extra complexities into the scenarios to push the training one step further than the soldiers typically get to experience, all without over-complicating the exercise. Doing so improved the experience for both junior and senior crews.
Caption
Members of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry conduct field training during Exercise KAPYONG SPADE in the remote training area of Canadian Forces Base Shilo in October.
Photos by MCpl Brandon J. Liddy, Shilo Base Imagery Services
Capt Hill said despite it raining on three of the camp’s four days, the soldiers were eager to get out on the range.
“Troops love doing their job,” he said. “The troops involved were always eager to shoot, and once we got the final range they attacked the challenge of finding and destroying the targets with the vigour expected in a battle situation.”
Another officer leading training during Ex KS was Capt Scott Berry, who assisted with training and developing A Company soldiers and non-commissioned officers up to Level 2 live fire and Level 3 dry fire status.
Capt Berry explained Ex KS was designed to build off the individual skills and proficiencies soldiers have already learned in both dismounted and mechanized roles during Ex KAPYONG HUNTER (Ex KH) earlier this year.
“During Ex KS, A Company was able to further develop soldiering and weapon handling skills built during Ex KH, which facilitated more complex and realistic training,” he said.
Capt Berry added the way Ex KS was structured allowed soldiers to better learn and absorb the skills they were being taught, through a combination of balanced training and rest cycles, and consistently pushing the soldiers just beyond their limits.
“You saw real and measurable progress in the proficiency of their craft,” he said. “It was especially good to see new troops adopt the aggression 2 PPCLI is known for.”
