Defence Team News Interview with LCol Mike Bobbitt, on Ex MAROON RAIDER 23
Video / March 02, 2023
Transcript
LCol Bobbitt: This is eight days in a row, where we can do the business, and really learn and get into the detail. Practice not until we get it right, but until we can't get it wrong.
Genevieve Germano: Primary Reserve Force 36 Canadian Brigade Group recently participated in Exercise MAROON RAIDER 23 at CFB Gagetown, in New Brunswick. Today we're joined by the exercise director, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Bobbitt, to tell us more. What can you tell us about Exercise MAROON RAIDER 23?
LCol Bobbitt: Exercise MAROON RAIDER 23 is a combined arms exercise that features the Regular Force and Reserves operating together to conduct convoy lanes, and urban operations. It's run at Gagetown, and is being operated by 36 CBG.
Genevieve Germano: Can you explain the various training and tasks that were completed?
LCol Bobbitt: Yah, the various training and tasks that we're completing are focused on two key areas. The first is the convoy lanes, which feature a convoy of vehicles that enter a trace, and that come under contact and return fire. They win the fire fight, consolidate, and then move on to continue the convoy. This is done both dry and live fire. The second line of effort is urban operations, which really features dry training, to get the drills and skills down. Then switches to PWT, Personal Weapons Test, Level 4, to ensure that soldiers are qualified and can safely handle the weapons. And transitions finally to a live fire urban exercise, where wooden structures are cleared with live ammunition on a live range.
Genevieve Germano: I understand that Regular Force and Army Reserve units from 36 CBG worked together over the course of the exercise. Can you tell us the benefits of having those groups incorporated in the exercise?
LCol Bobbitt: Yah, the benefits of the Regular Force and Reserve integration training is enormous. It really is a huge benefit to us. We don't often get to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the Regular Force. So for us, this is a real rare and beneficial occasion. So, as you can see, we're doing some urban operations training behind me right now. And their expertise that they bring to the table, with their experience, with their skills and drills that they show us some new tactics, and show us the right way to do things right out of the gate.
Genevieve Germano: What would you say to someone looking to join next years exercise?
LCol Bobbitt: Yah, for someone who's looking to join next year's exercise, I'd say this is a great opportunity. In fact, as a reservist, I would say one of the few opportunities where you really get to train for eight days straight, and focus on the training. You can work on the skills and drills, you can really build your training expertise, bring that back to your home units, and be that person who has the skills to train those that are coming up underneath you.
Genevieve Germano: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
LCol Bobbitt: Yah, I'd like to add a thank you to the members of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment. Their support to this exercise has been phenomenal. So, really a true thank you to RCR for their help in this exercise.