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The British Columbia dragoons are trained up and ready for deployment after performing individual battle standards testing Saturday morning.
The dragoons are a reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment based in Kelowna. They dedicate some weeknights and at least one weekend per month to paid training. More than 45 reservists took part in Saturday's exercise.
The exercise included fitness evaluations, small arms training on a computer simulator, navigation, reconnaissance, radio operation procedures and vehicle checks, all for keeping the reservists ready for a deployment at home or abroad in defence of Canada or in support of our NATO allies.
The reservists also help locally with search and rescue efforts or with local emergencies such as in the Okanagan Mountain fires of 2003.
The reservists do their firearms training on a computer simulator for safety and economy.
"It's all about letting the guys find out what is best for them in a safe and cost effective way," said Master Corporal Joe Bowker as he demonstrated different firing positions.
The simulator is made up of a slightly older version of the C7 rifle that is currently issued to the Canadian armed forces. An infrared laser is attached and an air hose so that when one squeezes the trigger at a target on the screen, the firearm kicks and the shot is registered on a computer.
It is all designed to be as realistic as possible, down to the weight of the removable magazine.
Master Cpl Bowker also demonstrated the C9 light machine gun in the simulator, also known as the M249 in the US.
The reserve force originated in Vernon April 1, 1911, when two four-squadron regiments designated the British Columbia Horse were authorized to be formed.
