canadian forces

mike31154 · #15 12-07-2009, 12:28 AM

[quote=asmodeus;470493]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike31154

Roger's Pass huh? So if I decide to head up there for some avalanche training for backcountry skiing, you guys have a bunk for me?? quote]

Mike come on down man, we have a lounge here $2.50 per beer and Highballs too. let me know when you are coming ok .

Too cool, thanks. Not sure when I'll be doing that, depends on when the CAA runs the courses there. I haven't checked this year yet. I'm stranded right now anyhow, vehicle is broke and I won't have it fixed until next week. A good friend of mine here in Vernon is a retired Artillery Major. Lucky stiff spent his last two years in Colorado Springs, then retired.

leducreef, as far as qualification, I think StirCrazy pretty much covered that topic.

StirCrazy, us Air Force guys can pretty much end up anywhere. I did two tours in Tactical Helicopter Squadrons supporting the Army, so got a good dose of camping out etc. Our unit in Germany was fully mobile so the entire Squadron was able to pull out within two hours notice. All of our essential maintenance equipment was in SEVs (special equipment vehicles), army trucks with shops on the back powered by diesel generators on a trailer. As a tech in Cold Lake life was a little different and the tactical army stuff was a bit of an eye opener for someone accustomed to working out of a warm, cozy hangar. Many of my buddies in the trade ended up on the back of a boat with the air detachment maintaining Sea King helicopters, so they got a taste of the Navy life. Not sure who got the better deal there, but many moons ago when I was treated to Thanksgiving dinner on the HMCS Terra Nova when we were in Esquimalt for the soccer nationals, I left that boat with banged up shins and forehead. Not much room on that tin can. At least on Army exercises you get the odd weekend off and can get out of camp. When you're on a boat for months, you're on it, even on weekends, 24/7. But I guess some of the ports of call make up for it and I understand some of the newer boats have much more room.