HLCol Racicot being briefed on the plan of attack by Lt Volcov. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.
Article written by Honorary Colonel David Bensadoun
Westmount, Quebec – 01 May 2025:
Dear RMR family,
HLCol Racicot and I had the privilege of observing our serving unit in action this weekend at CFB Valcartier as they ran through Exercise Iron Boot. Conditions were very tough with high winds and more than 60mm of rain in single digit temperatures, but all elements performed admirably, showing real grit in accomplishing the goals of the exercise. The HLCol and I slept in the field with the HQ group in a large tent that served double duty as the objective for the attack. We came away very impressed with the level of planning and how those plans were then adapted as needed. Seeing our soldiers and officers in action was an amazing experience. Many thanks to everyone who answered all of our questions and gave us access to Iron Boot! Please enjoy our photo essay.
The map builders get creative with whatever they can find to help illustrate the terrain. We suppose that this choice symbolizes what happens once the Iron Boot objective is attained! Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.4 Celsius, 60 mm of rain, and 30 km/h winds but somehow Cpl Luksha and Pte Lorcencova created a comfy spot for a few hours of rest. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.The story of the weekend was Depot Platoon member Pte Saad. He built his hooch to protect himself from the rain but the tarp filled with water and managed to dump a night’s worth of rain onto him in the middle of the night. Soaking wet for the defense of the base, he kept up a positive attitude despite being chilled to the bone. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.With some green smoke for effect, the Depot platoon just before heading out to serve as the enemy force troops for the night. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.Corporal Luksha, current paymaster of the RMR, and a proud addition to the assault element, was well hidden in the woods nearby when the CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonasz, showed up for another nighttime promotion in the field. It was a great chance to visit the troops to see how they set up for the night. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.The CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonasz, was in Valcartier to support battalion level training but managed to pay a late-night visit to the troops. Within the depot platoon tasked with defending the objective, Officer Cadets Kuchmiy and Axmed were promoted to Second-Lieutenant in the field under the light of parachute flares thrown up by a CGG exercise happening nearby. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.Where would we be without a fully loaded cube van… it was incredible to see all the equipment and logistics behind a platoon level infantry attack. I can’t even imagine what’s involved for a battalion level combined arms attack! Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.Once the assault boats were pulled out of the scenario due to mechanical issues, there was some time to kill and the cube ban was a welcome shelter from the rain. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.Your reporter and HCol. If I were a vehicle, which vehicle would I be? An MSVS of course! Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.81 mm Mortar Section! It was fascinating to learn how the mortars work and to see that we now have so many soldiers qualified mortars within the RMR. MCpl Sanda-Staicopol, Corporals Pop, Ksonzek, Sanchez, Denver-Simard, Monaghan, Aktas, and Abbasi. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.We learned that Mortars are about precision, teamwork, meticulous protocols and of course: firepower! The mortar base was situated 4 km from the objective, which put things in perspective – it took us 10 min to drive on the muddy tracks and yet here was an RMR unit supporting an attack by their fellow infanteers from a stand-off distance. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.Firebase Team! 2 C6s, 4 C9s, and a lot of swagger! Honoraries were essential for this team as we tested the C6’s to make sure they were in fine working order… Ably led by WO Carson, the Firebase team was made up of: Corporals Cano, Doughty, and Nguyen and Privates Lalonde, Larice, and Wright. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.Assault Team! This was the group responsible for the main assault on the final objective. Led by the ever-enthusiastic MCpl Greene, this group was gung-ho from minute 1. Assault team members: Master-Corporals Greene and Skalkogiannis, Corporals Lim, Lorcencova, McKee, Mesumbe, Najim, and Yu and Privates “Airborne” (alias) and Luksha. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.Cpl Mesumbe shows how it’s done – with the assault boats out of action, the back up plan was to transport in by truck. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.Big smiles and a sense of purpose as the assault team moves out towards the insertion point on the other side of the bridge. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.The attack started at 0800 with dozens of artillery simulators, a lot of smoke and prodigious amounts of C6 and C9 rounds being fired! Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.Lt Volcov surveying the result of his plan. It was a well-executed attack with all elements working together to overwhelm the “enemy”. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.The aftermath of the fictional battle was that the Depot platoon was neutralized. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.END EX!! A brief respite from the rain led to smiles all around, even while cleaning rifles. Private Hold shows us how it’s done. Photo credit: HCol Bensadoun.
Great photos and article of the Regiment practising their trade and “raison d’être” in “beautiful” Valcartier aka “Valcatraze”.
Thanks to our Honouraries, HCol Bensadoun and HLCol Racicot for attending and supporting our troops during an important exercise. Bless our RMR leaders and troops as they demonstrate their commitment to our Country, our Regiment and their comrades in arms. Ducimus! 🇨🇦🫡
LCol(Ret’d) Harry Hall, CD
Great photos HCol Bensadoun. The conditions under which the exercise took place once again reminds us of the adage, “If it ain’t rainin’, it ain’t trainin’!” 🙂 Well done to all the troops who kept their focus during Ex Iron Boot.
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Great photos and article of the Regiment practising their trade and “raison d’être” in “beautiful” Valcartier aka “Valcatraze”.
Thanks to our Honouraries, HCol Bensadoun and HLCol Racicot for attending and supporting our troops during an important exercise. Bless our RMR leaders and troops as they demonstrate their commitment to our Country, our Regiment and their comrades in arms. Ducimus! 🇨🇦🫡
LCol(Ret’d) Harry Hall, CD
Good photos, brings back lots of memories. 😎
Great photos HCol Bensadoun. The conditions under which the exercise took place once again reminds us of the adage, “If it ain’t rainin’, it ain’t trainin’!” 🙂 Well done to all the troops who kept their focus during Ex Iron Boot.