Braving Operation Sub Zero
While most of us are longing for the first breath of spring air, this was not the case for a Grade 10 student at Parkview Education Centre and a senior member of the 2688 Kinsmen Army Cadet Corps in Bridgewater.
Warrant Officer Sara Greenough was accepted to take part in Exercise Sub Zero and as the name describes it was a winter expedition that began on March 14, and held in Goose Bay where winter conditions were still very prevalent. The group of energetic Army Cadets from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland faced -30C weather at times but it certainly did not dampen their spirits.
Greenough who is in her fourth year as an Army Cadet told her superiors that she was interested in attending the course and after her application was submitted she was informed that she had been accepted. The winter exercise would see 24 cadets take part in the multi day event that began with three days of briefings and lectures on winter survival. These included how to prepare for the cold with proper clothing and layering systems and how to understand what will make them cold and even more importantly how to avoid those things.
The exercise with the cadets being bussed to their starting location and then they were off and by the end of the four days the cadets would travel the 50km route wearing snow shoes, rucksacks on their backs and pulling sleds that held their team kit equipment. The weather was unseasonably warm during the day but dropped to very cold at night making their need to understand staying warm even more vital. The cadets slept in tents and ate military MRE (meals ready to eat) and made camp each night armed with the knowledge and training that they had received form their instructors who accompanied them on the exercise. Each cadet would rotate and assume the team leader role which would require them to keep their team on pace and motivated in the freezing weather.
Greenough returned home filled with knowledge that she hopes to share with her fellow cadets. The many positives that she brought back with her include the friendships that were made and the skills that were learned, both will stay with her for the rest of her life. Greenough is hoping to take part in other Exercises that take place during the summer, spring and fall seasons so that she can see how her training will allow her to adjust with her ultimate goal of attending Rocky Mountain Cadet Training Centre. The one thing that our readers should know, is that if you were to ever get lost in the wilderness, Warrant Officer Sara Greenough, would be the right choice to be with.