746 Communication Squadron
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
746 Communication Squadron is a reserve military unit in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. As a communication squadron, it can provide telecommunication-type services to other military units in a Combat Support role. The unit's motto is "determined".
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[edit] Composition
The unit is composed of approximately 60 people, with a recruitment limit of 93, including 8 officers. Its members are usually university students, although a significant number of the senior personnel are employed full-time within the civilian sector.
Most members of the unit are signal operators, although there are positions for approximately 15 linemen and various support trades such as supply technician, vehicle technician and others. It is commanded by a Major, with a staff including a Deputy Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Operations Officer, and Troop Officers.
[edit] Role
As with all reserve communication squadrons, the primary role is to augment the Regular Force for both domestic and international operations including UN and NATO operations. The primary goal of the unit is to train personnel to provide this individual or collective augmentation. From 2000 until 2003, the unit's focus was on strategic communications, typically voice and data over MSAT and HF. From 2004 on, the unit role changed to focus on tactical (field) communications, VHF and limited HF. In the new role, more attention is given to tactical environment.
On average, the unit sends approximately 1-2% of its members each year on UN or NATO operations for a 6 month rotation.
[edit] Challenges
The biggest challenge to the unit is the recruitment of new personnel. All potential recruits must be physically fit, and specialist trades in the unit require strong academic skills in math or sciences.
[edit] History
746 Communication Squadron traces its history back to General Order 96, issued on 4 June 1913. Number XIII Detachment, Signaling Corps was housed in Mewata Armories at that time. In 1920, Number 13 Signal Company was stood up in Calgary under General Order 56/20. Maj. J.E. Hanning, MC, Commanding. In 1923 the unit was designated as 13th Signal Battalion, and in 1934 changed designation yet again to 13th Divisional Signals under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Harry Pryde. His tenure of 20 years in Command left a legacy that is still celebrated with an annual Mixed Dining-In, at which a trophy for the most proficient Corporal or Private is awarded.
During the War years of 1939 to 1945 the main function of 13 Signals was to train communicators for posting to units going overseas. In 1949 the unit was renamed to 7th Independent Signal Squadron, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. After Unification in 1968, and the formation of Canadian Forces Communication Command, the name was changed once again to 746 (Calgary) Communication Squadron in 1970. While stationed at Mewata Armouries, the unit's beloved Sergeant Major was Shirley Jack, the unit's most ilustrious and dedicated senior NCO of note. In that uncertain era of the cold war, the unit had on its honor role personalities such as renowned Author Darrell Knight, Alberta's most noteworthy military writer from the ranks of Canadian Forces personnel. After 74 years in one place the Unit changed its home from Mewata Armouries to HMCS Tecumseh in 1987, where they share the space with the Naval Reserve.
On 9 May 2000 the Squadron became part of 74 Communication Regiment. This affiliation ended with the termination of the Regimental system, and as a result, the squadron is now an independent Squadron under Command of 73 Communication Group in Edmonton.
The essence of the Unit role has not changed in since 1939. It still trains Signals Operators, Linemen and Technicians for taskings, both domestic and overseas. Members of the Unit have served on virtually all United Nations and NATO deployments, including most recently Afghanistan, Bosnia and the Golan Heights. Soldiers have also been deployed to the Manitoba floods, BC forest fires, Ontario ice storms and the G8 summit in Kananaskis Country, to mention just a few. The Unit regularly parades on Wednesday evenings and at least two weekends a month, maintaining an eager, aggressive core of enthusiastic soldiers.
The Squadron motto is "DETERMINED". The crest is a Pony Express Rider.
Today, 746 Communication Squadron specializes in tactical communication, employing radio, landline and satellite systems. The Squadron's mandate is to provide individual and collective support to Canadian Forces operations, both domestic and international. Many members have served or are currently serving in various UN and NATO peacekeeping missions around the world.
[edit] Website
The official site for 746 Communication Squadron is buried in the depths of the Comm Res site at http://www.img.forces.gc.ca/org/commres/recruiting/units/alberta_e.asp#calgary The unofficial website is at http://746.ca launched in November 2005 and maintained by members of the unit.
