A Closer Look Waincon ’69 Each year of Camp Wainwright’s life has involved training procedures of varied size and instruction. Every participant from every rank obtains valuable experience in training with a large and supportive formation. The training area at Camp Wainwright allows optimum use of equipment and weapons in any variety of air and ground manoeuvres. Upon closer inspection of one particular winter scheme, a general overview of such exercises is established. Waincon ’69 offered 2500 members of 1 Combat Group a six-week winter concentration geared to train and test men and equipment in winter warfare operations. Commanded by Brigadier General W.C. Leonard, the five phase exercise began on January 19 when 3 Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers from Chilliwack arrived by C-130 Hercules of Air Transport Command. By the end of that month, 435 and 436 Squadrons had accomplished 78 flights to airlift men and equipment of 1 Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada from Victoria, Fort Gary Horse from Calgary, and 3 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery from Winnipeg, to their Wainwright destination. Headquarters 1 Combat Group, 1 Signal Squadron, 1 Medical Support Unit, 1 Service Battalion, and 1 Battalion PPCLI from Calgary arrived by road. Preliminary training, Exercise BULLRUN, allowed practise of tent group drill, patrolling, and cross country marching, day and night. One day was set aside for R & R and one for helicopter support training. Wind chill reduced -48 degree temperatures to mind numbing depths. Winter indoctrination! The severity of temperature demonstrated how weather could be an enemy force, crippling vehicles, communications and troops with its ruthless extremity. Training, later tested by team competition, included living and working in winter conditions, signals, voice procedures, radio drill, first aid skills and techniques, vehicle repair and recovery, patrol, long range reconnaissance, and driving ability in winter. Operations also tested formed elements of 10 Tactical Air Wing from Quebec, Army and airforce personnel from 7 Tactical Air Wing from Calgary manned the Tactical Air Control Center, controlling all aircraft involved in the operation. 408 Squadron’s T-33 Silver Star aircraft operated as a strike force and provided photo reconnaissance. The final phase of the exercise collectively tested at a battalion group level against a controlled enemy provided by the Canadian Airborne Regiment and 3 Comapany, 1 Battalion Colstream Guards of the British Army. By the end of February, all troops were safely returned to their home bases, glad of the warmth of their own cozy quarters after surviving the six-week iceberg ordeal.