Young battalion prepares for Afghanistan
Monday, November 20, 2006

The 138 radio is a communication system used in the Canadian Forces.

CFB PETAWAWA, Ontario – Communication training is one of seven courses currently being conducted by 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.

For four weeks this fall, 30 young soldiers learned how to use Advanced Tactical Communication Information Systems.

The battalion has received 110 new soldiers within the past few months. The process of rebuilding, qualifying and bringing the unit up to operational readiness will take time but everyone is mission focused with the goal of being ready for any operation or tasking the unit may receive in the future.

Assigned to Task Force Afghanistan 3-08, these courses are the first phase of a two-year campaign to prepare the Battalion for deployment in August of 2008.

Basic communications

Instructor Master Corporal Joshua de Boer assists student Private Jeremy Hillson during a test.

Divided into two modules, the communications course teaches students basic radio skills such as how to pronounce numbers over the radio, the phonetic alphabet, radio etiquette, voice procedures and basic setup of the radio.

During the final one and a half weeks, students learn advanced procedures, troubleshooting, ground to air/air to ground radio, establishing and closing secure networks and encryption.

Students become familiar with many of the different radios used within the Canadian Forces, including the 522, 521 and 138 radios. They also learn how to set up antennas and how to conduct ground to air/air to ground communications.

Practical tests given throughout the course ensure students test their skills and put their theory into use.

"Every radio I've seen while being in service I now know how to use," says Private Patrick Cayer.

Although signal operators within 3 RCR teach the course, all of the candidates are infantry by trade. Due to a lack of signal operators, the students will act as radio operators while carrying out their primary function as infanteers within their companies.

Article by Corporal Clayton Ross, Corporal Jean-François Dubois
Photos by Corporals Clayton Ross and Jean-François Dubois