Norway and 1 RCR

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Norway and 1 RCR

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Topic: Norway and 1 RCR (Read 1963 times)

JohnBergen
John Bergen
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Norway and 1 RCR
« on: February 06, 2007, 09:29:47 PM »

So maybe I drank too many Mack Pilsener-Øl while I was over there..but other than Tromso and a trip to Oslo, once, I can't remember for the life of me where we used to patrol, bivy with the Norwegian companies etc.

The reason I'm asking is that one of the hockey dad's is and ex-norwegian infantry officers from around the time we served there. He did avalanche express etc, and is very interested in the area's where I served while there...but my brain is numb from that time of my life.

Did you know they used to call us (ace mobile force) the 'fire brigade'? Has a norwegian name too...can't remember what he said it was. He was telling me about a Chinook ride up the mountains to ski with Canadian troops as well. His platoon, a Canadian platoon and one of our Chinooks to the top of the mountain, ski'd down and into town for some brewski's.


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Ghalsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2007, 05:34:00 AM »

John..

Yes AMF created in 1960 by NATO as a immediate reaction force
we had the badge on our Uniforms while there also have in camo style Black and green

Flew into Bardofaust
Spent some time at a Brit Base called Clock Work while on advanced party

Our main bivy area in the 80's was Olsburg (SP), Dukes coy use to start out with the Deterent patroling in the Finnish Wedge area of North Norway

There was the time when Steve Hennesey Turned right instead of left out of the base up there 83 - 84 I believe and ended up in Finland with another guy I can't remember. And created a international inceident Grin

I remember the ski trip but we climbed to the top up the steep side and skied down the long side, I was with dukes then I'm guessing 1983
was the year. It was a blast. Took us 2 - 3 hours to climb up and 5 to ski down. I think I have some pics of that trip. Roll Eyes

I'm pretty sure some
flew in by Helli

Some Places we had R & R Tromso, Narvik, Bergen, once took a bus to Oslo to fly back......

I think we pretty much covered all of North Norway while there Wink

I was just thinking the other day I'd sure like to go back for a vacation there Shocked

darn expensive but sure would be fun


« Last Edit: February 07, 2007, 06:33:03 AM by Ghalsey »	Report to moderator Logged

Geoff Halsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2007, 10:45:51 AM »

In 1985 if I remember correctly we used to visit, train in or around a Norge base called Scholl(spelling) Garrison. B-Coy with Maj. Tabbernor and his plan to create the Batt.ski team and take on all other NATO units. We won of course, but that was also the year of the avalanche that took approx. 10-15 Norge soldiers. The name of the town where the Batt. bived escapes me but I remember the kids on thier sleds as they zipped through the camp looking for rations and guys buying reindeer skins, but only if they had the green stamp. Got suckered on that one. And the best memory of Norway was finding how in the hell did CSM Riley kept razor creases in his pants and shirt, plywood under the air matress!!!.

Cheers
Stew


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JohnBergen
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2007, 10:57:00 AM »

Thanks for refreshing my memory..it's sort of coming back. I think that was Doug Hennesey and Steve Waschnik that made the right instead of the left...Vegard, the norwegian hockey dad, remembers the 5/4 catching fire in 83 or 84, that's what reminded him that they used to call us the 'fire brigade' for unrelated reasons.


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Ghalsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2007, 10:57:18 AM »

Stew thats right

Skoal was one of the bases
And the Kids on sleds was Olsburg,
Down the hill to town and the Bar Shocked

e Bar

Don't forget about the Knives with the steel that could cut a penny Roll Eyes

Never knew about the plywood Shocked


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Geoff Halsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2007, 11:01:43 AM »

Quote from: JohnBergen on February 07, 2007, 10:57:00 AM

John it was steve and the Finns couldn't find F*** off in the translation dictionary Grin

in 1982 we where doing a relief in place of the Airborne and had a artic tent burst into flames (Mountian stove) a italian officer died
I remember the truck burning though it had to do with naptha instead of red Gas Roll Eyes


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Geoff Halsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2007, 03:12:14 PM »

I was in Norway in 80 & 88. Both times in the same area's. Olsburg was the main EX area. In 80, B Coy was Key Coy & we did the deterent(sp?) patrolling housed at a submarine base. As was said earlier we landed at Bardofaust, but I also remember the name of Anslev (sp?) as the nearby town with the bar where I was treated to some fine local moonshine after which I was with a Brit when his BV 202 somehow got wrapped around a tree Huh

, not far from the ski jump. Also after the EX in 80 when some of us drivers were transfering the 2 1/2 tons for shipment home a couple of them went off the road. I had the one I was driving sideways but was lucky enough to recover it. Shocked

The 2 behind me were not so lucky. Luckly no injuries to the drivers. The deuces & 1/2's were not so lucky. One of the other drivers is also on this site.


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Gerry Connors
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2007, 08:53:17 PM »

Hi Geoff, I thought it was Terry Hahn and Steve Hennessey that took the wrong turn into Finland? They were doing a CQ run at the time I thought.
Norway, a beautiful place, but dam expensive. Rember it was cheaper to buy beer than a coke or pepsi. Drank a few macko 1, 2, & 3 'because of that'. Remember when we got back with our duty free? Quite the 'little' party in the shacks that night. Civvies on the other side of the 'wire' phoned the meatheads thinking there was a mutiny going on. MP's said it was just a bunch or single guys blowing of steam. Remember they wouldn't enter the shacks until the nexst day (not that I could blame them). Grin

Got some pics here somewhere of a few of us 'blowin' off some steam'.


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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2007, 09:37:50 PM »

Yes Guys it was Terry Hahn and Steve Hennesey, and it was 86 because I was'nt in the reg force yet


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Ghalsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2007, 05:18:16 AM »

John Thats right same year as the Chornobil Melt Down

I went in 1982 Dukes , 1983 Dukes, 1984 Dukes, 1986 Dukes and 1988 TPT (Close as I can remember Roll Eyes

)

In 1982 we flew back from Norway on a Air Canada Champagne flight Shocked

I know Randy Watts will remember this one Wink

Little bottles every where Grin

RSM Starvin Marvin McDonald Stood in front of the Chalk and said any man who can't walk down
the ramp in London is Off to Jail Shocked

Well the boys went at it and many filled bellys and their pockets.

We landed in Scotland to refill with Fuel and Booze Tongue

and continued on to London.....

On arrival the doors open and The RSM fell down the Ramp recovered quickly then proceed to trip over
all the kit bags on the tar mack Grin

No one went to jail Grin


« Last Edit: February 08, 2007, 05:28:40 AM by Ghalsey »	Report to moderator Logged

Geoff Halsey
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billy macneil
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2007, 05:39:27 AM »

John TERRIO whats goin on have'nt heard your name in a while me an Sheldon Burke were talkin about you the other day.Good to see your still on the go.......


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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2007, 05:46:35 AM »

Yeah, it was '86. A wheel chair had to be used to 'help' some off the plane, most of us just stumbled. Good 'champagne' flight. Must of been a sight when we landed back in London with some of the troops family members there to greet them after such a cold, hard exercise. Grin

Billy how is Sheldon doing? haven't seen him since he got out of 2RCR back about the early '90's?


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Ghalsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2007, 06:38:37 AM »

Gerry 1986 I can't remember that flight Grin

But I do remember the Bus trip from Trenton 1984 or 86 Huh

School buses with no Toilets, Large drink cups being tossed out the windows to hit the
bus behind. Shocked

CSM Cross was in the front seat of the 2nd bus and we had a parade on arrival in
London to see who had open their duty free. Off to Jail they went or extras depending on the condition
of the individual Wink

. Mine was still closed Shocked

I still remember the Panic Tongue


« Last Edit: February 08, 2007, 08:05:14 AM by Ghalsey »	Report to moderator Logged

Geoff Halsey
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Clair "WHYTIE" Whyte
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2007, 08:45:12 AM »

Hey gentleman, great stories about Norway, remember being there in 1986 with Charles Co. I also remember starting out on an exercise and having it halted because of an avalanche that killed a few Norweigan soldiers. I can remember at that time waiting to here who exactly who was involved in the avalanche because we had some Recce guys in the same area. I'm not sure if anyone remembers that? Undecided

I also remember how much snow we had to endure. Putting up the artic tents was fun, being use to Canada and leveling the ground with snow shoes, doing the same thing in Norway but then finding out we had to dig down about 4 feet in order to get solid enough ground to put up the tents. At least with the tents being buried down it kept them warmer.
Really great time, had a blast in Tromso, at the bars and the with the ladies!!!! Cheesy

Have some pictures of Norway I hope to post in the next few days.

Whytie


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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2007, 08:58:47 AM »

Whytie, I remember that ex: up pole / down pole constantly. I think our platoon got about 6 hours sleep in over 4 days; we were constantly on the move. We were just about to start the last portion of the ex when no duff / end-ex came down the wire because of the tragic loss of the Norwegien section from the avalanche (RIP). Also remeber Dale Cole backing up the BV206 with troop trailer attached, jack-knifed and rolled 'er. Grin

Lucky the only in the vehicle (back was empty) was Dale and he didn't get a scratch.

Hey Geoff, Roll Eyes

I remember that bus trip and the CSM;... Last CSM I had before I LOTPed...'nuff said.


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Ghalsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #15 on: February 08, 2007, 09:36:51 AM »

Quote from: Gerry Connors on February 08, 2007, 08:58:47 AM

Lucky the only in the vehicle (back was empty) was Dale and he didn't get a scratch.

Gerry that was exactly the time the No Duff was called and Dale's backing it up to get out of there
I think we turned it back over by hand only the trailer flipped if I remember right
We where directly across from the avalanche site same altitude Shocked

Lights and helli's all over that slope
We had dug into the snow about 8 feet down with a parachute over top and had just settled in
when we got the call.

I still have the Newspaper clippings from that sad sad series of events. Folks back home just heard
that some had been trapped in a avalanche, cause for concern back home for a while.

Gerry remember going into that front yard with your AVGP on the way back to Vardo on the black Ice, I was behind you and woke the
officer "T.S"
Me and stuart are telling him we need the tow cable because your in the rubarb and he keeps telling me to follow you
Grin

Dragged him out of the back of the carrier and woke him up Wink

And down the hill to that harbour at the Fjoird and we suddenly notice we are on black ice and slide right out onto the wooden docks Shocked

back up quick Shocked

Thats the year he (T.S) broke my hand Angry

spinning the turret trying to get the bacon out of the smoke grenade case on the side like a dog chasing it's tail. (it spins with the turret) and the 50 cal barrel hits the crew commanders hatch and slam shut on hy left hand, and then the engine cover which was open at the time slams shut. Drove the rest of the ex with a broken hand Roll Eyes

Fun stuff


« Last Edit: February 08, 2007, 09:48:51 AM by Ghalsey »	Report to moderator Logged

Geoff Halsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #16 on: February 08, 2007, 10:25:39 AM »

Remember the time when we had the grizzlies over there. We were constantly doing deterent patrols. I was driving for copius hours and I fell asleep going down the mountain. Mountain was on the left; flimsy guard rail on the right with a +300ft drop. Luckily I 'snoozed' to the left ; ricocheted off the mountain to the left, woke up with Tom I. and Billy S. yelling 'wake up!' Stopped the carrier, surveyed the damage (bit of paint gone), said "f*** this!" opened the back, crawled in with the rest of the sleeping section and grabbed some shut eye. Tom did the rest of the driving that night for a couple of hours.


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Ghalsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #17 on: February 08, 2007, 10:36:15 AM »

That I remember Grin

And I hit a Volvo or rather he hit me Roll Eyes

Blind corner on some fjord road and he's in the middle of the road
bounces off my front tire and into a rock face Shocked

the translator
we had couldn't stop laughing this guy went nuts about Canadian Vech being to big
for his road Grin

No damage to me but his car had a few dents


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Geoff Halsey
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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #18 on: February 08, 2007, 10:54:10 AM »

Keeeerrris sakes, I can remember driving up a Norwegian mountain 'highway' in a blinding snowstorm and having civvie vehicles coming down ripping around blind corners doing mach 3; worse than driving thru Montreal on friday long weekend during rush hour (if that's possible) !


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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #19 on: February 08, 2007, 02:44:31 PM »

I always had a good time over in Norway. Always looked forward to going there every year. I remember the first time there, I believe it was in early 82 with Bravo Coy and Jim Hickson as our CSM. We were given our bottle and carton of cigs just before our R&R. Myself, Kolody, Regglar and the gang, we all headed to Tromso. What a night. Alot of drinking, fighting with the Britts in the club and the Norweign Police being called. I'll tell you, the next day was no fun. If you read this Jim, I am sure you will remember that morning. Needless to say, that was the last time they gave us our bottle and cigs before R&R. Good times, beautiful woman. I had a nice looking blonde that wanted to come back to Canada with me. That same lady even remembered me the following year we went. Unreal. Alot of good memories.


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Re: Norway and 1 RCR
« Reply #20 on: February 08, 2007, 02:57:32 PM »

Quote from: Gerry Connors on February 08, 2007, 10:54:10 AM

But they all had steel studed tires. We didn't. Roads all hard packed ice. In 80 the TO had the brilliant idea to put the tire chains on all 4 tires of the 5/4 tons for on road driving. Roll Eyes

Absolutely no traction.