8 Field Engineer Regiment
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| 8 Field Engineer Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Cap badge of the Canadian Military Engineers |
|
| Active | 1948– |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Military Engineers |
| Type | Combat engineers |
| Size | One squadron |
| Part of | Land Force Western Area |
| Garrison/HQ | Regiment Headquarters - Edmonton 25 Field Squadron - Edmonton |
| Nickname | 8 Field |
| Motto | Ubique Quo fas et gloria ducunt |
| March | Wings |
| Mascot | Sapper Bentley F. Beaver |
| Anniversaries | 4 December, St. Barbara's Day |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Maj M. R. Hussie (Acting) |
| Honourary Colonel | Col J. R. McDougall |
| Colonel-in-Chief | HM The Queen |
| Abbreviation | 8 FD ENGR |
The 8 Field Engineer Regiment (8 FER) is the reserve (militia) unit of the Canadian Military Engineers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The unit parades Wednesday evenings and Saturdays at the Lieutenant-Colonel Philip L. Debney Armoury, in Edmonton. It is assigned to 41 Canadian Brigade Group, part of Land Force Western Area. The unit is currently commanded by Major M. R. Hussie, with Master Warrant Officer R. Luard as the unit's regimental sergeant major.
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[edit] History
The 8 Field Engineer Regiment traces its lineage to 9th Army Troops Company (Canadian Engineers). In 1937, following a reorganization of the militia in Canada, 9th Army Troops Company was activated to serve in the local militia. During the Second World War 9th Army Troops Company served as part of 1st Battalion Army Troops (Royal Canadian Engineers). Through most of the war, they served as construction troops supporting First Canadian Army.
In 1948, 8 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Engineers, was created as the engineer component of the Alberta Militia District. Throughout its post-war history the regiment has had squadrons in Edmonton, Brooks, Calgary, and Lethbridge, Alberta; Kimberly, B.C., as well as Yellowknife, N.W.T.
By the late 1980s the regiment had two remaining field squadrons, 25 Field Squadron in Edmonton and 33 Field Squadron in Calgary. 33 Field Engineer Squadron was zero-manned for several years and was reactivated as an independent unit in 1991.
[edit] Training
As a reserve unit, 8 Field Engineer Regiment continues to train in skills to support the Canadian Forces abroad and at home. In recent years the regiment has conducted exercises in a variety of places, including.
- CFB Wainwright, Alberta
- Vegreville, Alberta
- Chilliwack, British Columbia
- Dundurn, Saskatchewan
- Drayton Valley, Alberta
- CFB Suffield, Alberta
- CFB Cold Lake, Alberta
- Outlook, Saskatchewan
- Hinton, Alberta
- Fort Lewis, Washington
[edit] Deployments
Personnel from the unit have also been deployed on United Nations and NATO peacekeeping missions including:
- Cyprus (UNFICYP, Operation Snowgoose),
- Croatia (UNPROFOR, Operation Harmony),
- Cambodia (UNTAC, Operation Marquis),
- Bosnia (SFOR, Operation Palladium),
- Afghanistan (Operations Athena and Archer).
[edit] Relationship with Town of Vegreville
8 Field Engineer Regiment has fostered a relationship with the Town of Vegreville, Alberta, which is located 103 km east of Edmonton. This is due in large part to their yearly Remembrance Day parade. As well, the regiment is the only unit of the Canadian Forces to hold Freedom of the Town.
A great deal of the relationship is owed to former Commanding Officer LCol Dan O'Keefe. His success allows the Regiment to hold exercises within and around the Town. In 2007 the Regiment built a new bridge in the park containing the town's famous Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Egg). For his efforts the Town Council voted to name the bridge after LCol O'Keefe, and was officially announced on 7 May 2008, the day he relinquished command of the Regiment.
[edit] Mascot
Due in large part to their natural construction abilities and their presence in the Canadian wilderness, the beaver has long been the symbol of military engineers in Canada. The official mascot of 8 FER is Sapper Bentley F. Beaver, a stuff toy beaver who is dressed with a beret, dress uniform and identity discs.
Some members of the unit claim that Bentley is the most decorated beaver in the world. This is because he has accompanied members of the unit for short periods of time while on tour, and therefore he would be eligible for the medals for his presence on the deployment.
[edit] Re-organization
The reserve units of the Canadian Military Engineers are currently about to begin a re-organization that is seeing field engineer regiments converted to combat engineer regiments like those in the Regular Force. This will result in 8 FER being renamed 41 Combat Engineer Regiment, as well as being amalgamated with 33 Field Engineer Squadron in Calgary.
The Regimental Headquarters and 25 Engineer Squadron are to be in Edmonton, with 33 Engineer Squadron based in Calgary, Alberta. A third squadron, 17 Engineer Squadron, is to be added into the unit's Supplementary Order of Battle. This re-organization has been ongoing and is set to be complete on 6 Sept 2008.
The other two remaining field engineer regiments (2 FER in Toronto and 3 FER in Montreal) have already gone through this re-organization, leaving 8 Field Engineer Regiment the last field engineer regiment in Canada.
