Bermuda Regiment Braves Canadian Cold
Bermuda Regiment troops yesterday [May 7] braved near freezing night time conditions as part of their annual training exercise.
A spokesperson said, “Nearly 200 soldiers plus representatives from the Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, and St John’s Ambulance started Exercise Maple Thunder 14 on Monday.
“The chilly conditions on the adventure training – including kayaking in rapids and multi-stage rock climbing – tested the troops’ endurance to the limits.
Corporal Damir Armstrong of A Company, said, “The kayaking was fine – I was nervous about it at first because it’s Canada and it was wet so the potential for things to go wrong was high. But they all survived and none of them got wet – and we managed to post the fastest time on the foot-race which was great.”
The 28-year-old insurance underwriter from Pembroke added, “Throughout all these rough conditions, their morale has stayed high, they’ve been energetic and got the job done.”
“He was speaking as the island’s armed service settled in for two weeks’ work at the Canadian Army’s training ground in Meaford, northern Ontario.
Private Allafia Butterfield, 22, said, “I’ve enjoyed everything really – it’s been cold, but pretty good,”
“Soldiers from A Company spent several days sleeping in bivouacs as they developed their military skills, such as patrolling and section attacks in the wide open spaces of Ontario.
Acting Company Sergeant Major Aaron Burchall, 33, from St David’s said, “Their spirits are pretty good considering the drastic change in temperature compared to what we’re used to.
“As the time has gone on, it’s definitely getting better. They’re gelling quite well, despite the conditions.”
The heavy equipment foreman added, “Training like this in testing conditions is a great way to promote team spirit – and they’re enjoying themselves, despite the cold.”
A Coy Second Lieutenant Tyler Owen said, “It’s good to work with the other services – it creates a bond and ensures, when we have to work together for real, there’s a real trust there.”
Lt Owen, 28, from Warwick, who joined as a conscript Private, added, “The adventure training was great. I’ve got a really good group of guys – they have a great attitude and they’re hard workers. The skills we develop here – teamwork, management, and the confidence to keep going even when things get tough – are all things our soldiers can use to their advantage in their civilian lives.”
“Back at the main camp, Pte Graham Gibbons, 28, of the Quartermaster’s Coy, is part of the team making sure soldiers on manoeuvres have everything they need to cope with the weather. Among the extra kit issued are fleece jackets and trousers, woollen hats, gloves and waterproof Goretex socks.”
Pte Gibbons, a second year conscript who works in sales and marketing for an island drinks firm, said, “We’re keeping everybody warm and well fed out in the field. It’s been a little cold, but I’m definitely enjoying it. It’s nice to get out of Bermuda once in a while.”
Regiment Adjutant Major Ben Beasley, Chief of Staff for Maple Thunder, said, “The young men and women out here are demonstrating that they are robust and unselfish members of the community – they’re up at 5.00am, working all day, and mostly sleeping in their self-made accommodation and always looking out for each other.
“They’re spending this week conducting enhanced training that can only be achieved on overseas camps – but will have to apply it over the course of a five-day exercise next week. For the first time we have dedicated specific days for the troops to conduct adventure training.
“The soldiers spend one day and a night on testing outdoor pursuits. This is part of the overseas camp experience – and it’s been really well received. It creates a strong cohesion and they will be using some of the skills, such as crossing water obstacles, during the final exercise.
“This is the most complex and largest scale exercise that the Regiment has conducted for many years, and the result will be a military unit that can respond to a variety of situations when required. No one knows what’s around the corner and the Commanding Officer has ensured that the Island will have an adaptable and capable unit that can serve our home in whatever capacity is required.”
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Waste of public money!
If you think this is cold…. Then you want to try living up there all year long!!
Some of those provinces get down to -50/60*F below zero in the winter months!!
The title of this article should be changed to “Bermuda Regiment Braves Canadian Spring”. If they wanted to experience cold, they would have gone in January.