The 2945 Army Cadets in Happy Valley-Goose Bay hosted a joint field training exercise and rappelling day at the Dakota Rife Range at 5 Wing Goose Bay on October 27 and 28.
Cadets from the 2977 Army Cadets Corps in Labrador City travelled to Happy Valley-Goose Bay on October 27 to participate in this joint activity which was held at the Dakota Rifle Range at 5 Wing Goose Bay.
The army cadets in Goose Bay have a qualified abseil instructor on staff and invited the Labrador City cadets to participate and take advantage of the this abseil activity which is not available as an optional training activity in their home town.
Approximately 63 cadets plus staff had the opportunity to go on the tower! For the new cadets this was their first time doing this type of activity. Some of the returning cadets had the opportunity to participate in abseiling at cadet summer camp and were able to show new cadets their newly acquired skills.
Members of the 2945 Army Cadet Corps are quite fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct this type of training as many cadet units across the province do not have access to a rappel tower with gear and qualified staff. Thanks to the support from RCSU in Shearwater and 5 Wing Goose Bay the cadets were able to get up and use the tower again this year.
The army cadets hope to participate in another abseil session this year in the spring when the snow is gone.
During the joint exercise cadets also were given instruction on how to set up arctic tents, and once completed slept out in their tents for the night.
Cadets also enjoyed eating a few meals at the mess hall at 5 Wing Goose Bay which they certainly looked forward to after eating ration packs for their first scheduled meal while in the field.
This type of field training exercise is a mandatory exercise that army cadets are involved in every training year. If you are between the ages of 12 – 18 and are interested in joining army cadets, please contact Captain Roslyn Bartlett at 896-8458, Captain Joan Harvey at 896-8218 or stop by Bldg 275 on Wednesday nights after 6:30 p.m.
