Snakes in the grass

December 5, 2023 - Lt Matthew Pinksen, 1 Field Ambulance

From Oct. 16 to 25, 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb) deployed to the 3^rd Canadian Division Support Base (3 CDSB) Edmonton training area to conduct Exercise RISING VIPER.

This training exercise was executed to validate our deployable field ambulance capabilities, as well as build the soldier skills of our new members.

The exercise began as Company‑level training, with emphasis placed on successful deployment and establishment of a medical treatment facility in an austere environment. Thankfully, we had augmentees from 23 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Winnipeg, 12 Fd Amb Vancouver and the High Readiness Detachment Edmonton, as well as 1^st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Light Canadian Infantry (1 PPCLI), 3 PPCLI, and 1 Military Police Regiment help support us throughout all major phases of the field training.

The intention was to mimic current battlefield conditions in Europe, with an emphasis placed on camouflage, concealment and tactical movements. Additionally, elements were injected to simulate real-time threats like drone strikes, artillery and peer‑on‑peer combat incidents. Rapid ambulance movement and response, and the ability to move from location to location in a controlled manner, were all key elements that were sharpened throughout the exercise, all to best prepare our medical teams for possible deployment to conflict zones.

While the training value was one highlight, another benefit of the exercise was the food provided by kitchen officer Sergeant Cory Bell and their staff out of the Mobile Kitchen Trailer. The Food Services staff were instrumental in the success of our Oct. 20 Field Mess Dinner—held back at 1 Fd Amb—celebrating the Feast of Saint Luke, who is the patron saint of the Royal Canadian Medical Service. Bison steaks with French onion soup were a hit for all exercise participants, as well as VIPs.

The mess dinner brought Health Services together to share stories (and dad jokes), and to honour worthy recipients of various recognitions, such as the 1 Health Services Group (1 HSG) Commander’s Coin and the 1 Fd Amb Commanding Officer’s Coin.

Major Mathew Wilson and Corporal Mark Jamieson received 1 HSG Commander’s Coins for their actions on scene at a motor vehicle collision near 3 CDSB Edmonton. Sgt Brent Agnew received a 1 HSG Commander’s Coin for their sustained dedication to improving the unit’s information technology/management and leading the way for 3^rd Canadian Division’s roll out of equipment tracking and registration. Sgt Bell was awarded the 1 HSG Commander’s Coin for their outstanding contributions to our 125^th Heritage Celebration events this past summer.

Sgt Charles Roper was awarded a 1 Fd Amb Commander’s Coin for their immediate and positive impact on the unit training cell after being posted in this past summer.