Monthly Newsletter - August 2023

4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group’s MONTHLY UPDATES August 2023

Command Team Message

We are excited to introduce all members of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (4 CRPG) to our inaugural Unit monthly newsletter. This publication is intended to ensure that our entire Unit stays connected month-to-month on the important news and activities that we have conducted and are being planned.

This summer has been quite busy for our Patrols/Companies, and we have had the pleasure to visit a number of 4 CRPG exercises and activities to see firsthand the excellent work that is being done by all of you.

In early July, we made our way north on Vancouver Island to the Strathcona Park Lodge where once again our Junior Canadian Ranger (JCR) Company was hosting the programs annual Enhanced Training Sessions (ETS). Another fantastic year for our youth which would not have been possible without the hard work of the JCR Coy staff along with the Canadian Rangers (CRs) and Adult Committee (AC) members that once again stepped forward to ensure the success of ETS.

At the beginning of August, we had the pleasure of visiting the JCR National Training Session (NLETS) being hosted by 1 CRPG in Whitehorse. During the visit we had the opportunity to engage with 4 CRPG JCRs and staff along with leadership from other CRPGs. This was an opportunity to discuss the future and growth of the JCR program.

Following our visit to Whitehorse, we travelled to Australia to meet with the eleven 4 CRPG members that were chosen to take part in Exercise SOUTHERN CROSS 2023. Since 2011, the Australian Army Reserve’s NorthWest Mobile (NORFORCE) and 4 CRPG have been hosting yearly reciprocal small unit exchanges to give each unit a better understanding of operations and training of each unit. While operating in vastly different climates, the work of NORFORCE and CRs are similar as both units are wilderness living experts that have extensive knowledge of the land where they operate and contribute to their country’s national-security and public-safety in remote, isolated, and coastal areas of their country.

We are very much looking forward to September, which will see 4 CRPG hosting Exercise CANADIAN RANGER READY 1 in Cold Lake, Alberta from 18 – 28 September 2023. This unique exercise is an opportunity to bring together close to 150 Canadian Rangers from across the nation to train together with a focus on employing these skills in upcoming domestic operations. During this exercise, Canadian Rangers will have an opportunity to exercise their skill sets which will increase their preparedness and capabilities when responding to natural disasters within Canadian communities.

We look forward to seeing many of at Exercise CANADIAN RANGER READY 1 in less than a month. Vigilans!

LCol J.P. Roy Commanding Officer CWO D. Shultz Group Sergeant Major

Welcomes & Departures

This summer 4 CRPG welcomed a number of new members across the Unit, including:

• Captain Byron Featherston, BC Company, Coy 2IC

• Sergeant Instructor Sgt James Zubriski, Manitoba Company Canadian Ranger Instructor

• Corporal Elyshia Korobko, Alberta/Saskatchewan Company, HRA Clerk

• Corporal Damyan Holmes-Newman, HQ Company, HRA Clerk

• Cpl Daniel Stewart, Manitoba Coy, HR Admin Clerk

Welcome to team, and we look forward to working with you all!

This month we say farewell to several members who will be leaving 4 CRPG. These members include:

• Major Dave Coish, HQ Company

• Sergeant Amanda Grant, HQ Company

• Sergeant Kirk Routledge, HQ Company

• Corporal Mary Duchesne, BC Company

• Corporal Tamara Ross, Alberta/Saskatchewan Company

Thank you all for your service and dedication to 4 CRPG and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours!

Bravo Zulu

• Congratulations to Sergeant Colin Stephen a Canadian Ranger Instructor with Alberta/Saskatchewan who earned Top Candidate on their Gun Area Troop Sergeant Major (GATSM) course

• Sgt Nathan Bonkowski welcomed his first child on Saturday August 19th a girl they named Quinn Avery Bonkowski. Mom and baby are doing well

Promotions & Appointments

Effective August 1, 2023, there has been a policy update and increase to the current Canadian Rangers Equipment Usage Rates.

For specific questions or concerns 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group members are asked to contact their Chain of Command.

Warrant Officer Glen Ereaut Group, Superintendent Clerk with HQ company was promoted to their current rank.

Sergeant Griffin Donley, British Columbia Company Quartermaster was promoted to their current rank.

Honours & Awards

Congratulations to the following JCRs who were awarded the Lords Strathcona medals this summer:

Van Last, Gold River JCRP

Luke Coughlan, Stewart JCRP

Matthew Pepper, Port McNeil JCRP

Abby Phillips, Gillam JCRP

Paige Gerrath, Porth Hardy JCRP

Keira Leefe, Snow Lake JCRP

Rennan Buchanan, Alert Bay JCRP

Savannah

JCRP

On behalf of the Director of Canadian Rangers, 4 CRPG Command Team presented Bombardier Trace Cole of JCR Company, pictured middle, with the DCR Command Team coin for his efforts in supporting this year’s Enhanced Training Sessions.

Canadian Ranger Segreant Adrian Last of the Cold River Canadian Ranger Patrol, pictured middle, was presented the 4 CRPG Command Team coin for his continued efforts in supporting the JCR program including participating in NLETS this year.

JCR Luke Coghlan of the Stewart JCR Patrol, pictured right, was presented the Order of St. George Medal. The Lord Strathcona Medal is awarded to a young person whose contributions to their patrol have improved the experience for other JCRs and who will therefore leave a positive and lasting legacy in the program.

JCR Van Last of Gold River JCR Patrol, second from right, was presented the Lord Strathcona Medal.

Warrant Officer Ray Corfield of JCR Company received a coin from the Director Canadian Ranger Command Team for his efforts in supporting the 2023 Enhanced Training Sessions.

Captain Brandon McAuley of JCR Company received a coin from the Director Canadian Ranger Command Team for his efforts in supporting the 2023 Enhanced Training Sessions.

Canadian Ranger Gilles Giroux of the Grande Cache Canadian Ranger Patrol, pictured right, was presented his Canadian Forces Decoration by Captain Graham Mater, Alberta/Saskatchewan Company 2IC.

Gulick, Tumbler Ridge

Around the Unit

Candidates of the Bold Eagle Program, a unique summer training program that combines Indigenous culture and teachings with military training, were able to discuss with CRs the role, mission, and tasks of the CRs and the process in which applicants can apply and serve with CRPs in their communities.

The Gillam Canadian Ranger Patrol recently completed Exercise GILLAM 1 from August 14-19, 2023, in northern Manitoba. The patrol ventured into new territory travelling past Split Lake and along the Nelson River to reach the area of operations surrounding the Kelsey Generating Station. During the exercise, members pushed past several rapids and established a bivouac site overlooking the Nelson River. This training was a test of operations during adverse conditions as weather and bugs were a persistent factor. It also provided opportunities to practice sustenance fishing and recovery of a motorized boat. The exercise wrapped up with a C-19 qualification shoot which qualified new Canadian Rangers and a new Canadian Ranger Instructor.

Canadian Rangers (CR’s) from the Grande Cache Canadian Ranger Patrol (CRP) provided support to the Sinister Sports Death Race held in the community of Grande Cache and the surrounding mountains 05-07 August 2023. The GC CRP supported the race and its participants by working in conjunction with other local public safety assets and race organizers to provide Rangers and mobility assets like All terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV’s) to fulfill the Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) task. CR’s also contributed to sweeping the 125 KM of trails to ensure that all race participants had safety completed or had been escorted off the race.

From July 23 – 28, 2023 members of Grand Rapids Canadian Ranger Patrol, Manitoba Company, conducted Exercise GRAND RAPIDS 1. This exercise challenged the Canadian Rangers (CRs) in land and water mobility as participants travelled deep into remote parts of the Manitoba’s north via ATVs and were forced to navigate through rough and rugged terrain to establish a bivouac site.

On the last day of the exercise, Canadian Rangers partnered with the RCMP and Coast Guard to conduct water rescue training. The CRs deployed their boats, established communications with the RCMP, and successfully recovered a simulated casualty from the river.

As a result of this exercise the Grand Rapids Canadian Rangers have greatly improved upon their competency as experts of land and water mobility.

Canadian Rangers (CRs) from the Peace River Canadian Ranger Patrol (CRP), Alberta/ Saskatchewan Company, had the pleasure of attending the Bold Eagle career day on July 23, 2023, at CFB Wainwright to discuss the unique capabilities and employment opportunities that exist in many communities across Western Canada.

From July 5 – 21, JCR Coy welcomed approximately 120 JCRs to Strathcona Park Lodge on Vancouver Island for Enhanced Training Sessions. Pushing their physical and mental endurance limits, the JCRs are learned how to work as a team, communicate with their peers and overcome adversity; all while participating in some amazing activities such as zip lining, high ropes course, kayaking, rock climbing and canoeing.

From July 25 – August 5, 2023, 10 Junior Canadian Rangers from 4 CRPG, along with two support staff, attended the annual JCR National Leader Enhanced Training Session (NLETS), hosted this year by 1 CRPG at the Whitehorse Cadet Training Centre in Whitehorse, Yukon. JCRs from across the country were selected to participate in this year’s NLETS, where participants learned a variety of skills through participation in outdoor adventure activities.

Do you have experience with producing social media posts?

Are you interested in learning about graphic design and layout?

Do you enjoy writing articles?

Well than being a Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) is for you

4 CRPG is looking for Canadian Rangers who would be interested in working in the UPAR role.

Positions include: Social Media Manager Unit Newsletter Editor Newsletter Writer

Anyone who is interested or would like more information is encouraged to contact 4 CRPG Public Affairs Officer Captain Natasha Tersigni at natasha.tersigni@forces.gc.ca

Upcoming Events

4 September 2023

Labour Day

8 – 29 September 2023

Canadian Army Run (Virtual)

17 September 2023

Canadian Army Run (Ottawa, ON)

18 – 28 September 2023

Exercise CANADIAN RANGER READY 1 (Cold Lake, Alberta)

21 September 2023

International Day of Peace

30 September 2023

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

9 October 2023

Thanksgiving Day

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