The Saskatchewan Dragoons

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=The Saskatchewan Dragoons


caption=The Saskatchewan Dragoons badge
country=Canada
allegiance=
branch=Royal Canadian Armoured Corps

Primary Reserve (Militia)
type=Line Cavalry
dates= 1913 - Present
specialization=Armoured Reconnaissance
command_structure=Land Force Western Area
38 Canadian Brigade Group
size=One regiment
current_commander=
garrison=LCol D.V. Currie, VC Armoury

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
motto="Esprit D' Initiative"
colors=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
march="Punjaub"
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

The Saskatchewan Dragoons is a Primary Reserve armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. The unit is based in Moose Jaw. Their primary job is to assist the Regular Force in meeting Canada's military commitments. Their training and equipment closely follow that of the Regular Force, which the Reserves are called upon to assist increasingly often. The Saskatchewan Dragoons are part of Land Force Western Area's 38 Canadian Brigade Group.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex became Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment on visiting Saskatchewan in 2003, when he congratulated the regiment on its "contribution to Canada's proud tradition of citizen-soldiers in the community". Involved in peacekeeping operations in Cyprus, the Golan Heights, Bosnia and Croatia, members of the regiment have also provided aid during floods and forest fires in the prairies.

Their role is that of a reconnaissance squadron. Basically, they examine an area in preparation for the advance of a main body of troops. They go forward, sometimes many miles, and gather information on enemy strength, equipment, movements, and intentions. They pass this information, together with other helpful information on such things as bridges, blocked roads, and areas of potential danger, back to higher command so the advance can take place as safely as possible. At the same time they deny such information to the enemy. In the withdrawal, they maintain contact with the enemy while the main body pulls back. Thus, they often speak of their role as "first in last out".

Originally formed in 1913 as The 60th Rifles of Canada, the regiment went through numerous name changes before acquiring its current name in 1958.

External links

* [http://www.regiments.org/regiments/na-canada/volmil/sk-inf/060SaskD.htm regiments.org]
* [http://www.saskd.ca Unofficial web site]

Order of precedence