Army Reserve Returning to P.G.

Sunday, February 27, 2011 04:41 AM

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - Prince George is getting a new Army Reserve unit. As part of an Army Reserve expansion project the new unit, which is a detachment of the famous Rocky Mountain Rangers, is planned for the city as early as September this year.

"We've been in discussions with the city for some time now about the feasibility of standing up a Reserve army unit in Prince George," said Lt.-Col. John Feller, the Commanding Officer of the Rocky Mountain Rangers. "We're very encouraged by the community's support for an Army Reserve unit in this region, and we look forward to having new soldiers from Prince George become part of the Rangers," he added. Reserve soldiers are part-time members of the Canadian Forces that live, work, or attend post secondary school in the communities where they serve.

"We are pleased that the Rocky Mountain Rangers are returning to our community," said Mayor Dan Rogers. "On behalf of the City of Prince George, we will welcome the Army reserve with open arms."

The plan for establishing the new Rocky Mountain Rangers detachment is still in progress, and the Rangers and City officials are working together to prepare future activities and events highlighting the unit's move in to the community. "Our recruiting activities will increase in Prince George over the next while," continued Feller, "and we'll be looking to recruit men and women of age that are interested in serving Canada part-time in a number of infantry positions with the Rangers."

The Rocky Mountain Rangers maintained a detachment in Prince George after World War 2 until the late 1960s when that detachment was closed. Since that time, Rangers have fought in every major conflict where Canada has been involved, including the Afghanistan campaign. At home, Rangers have volunteered to help protect our communities during the Kelowna forest fires in 2003 and during the Winter Olympics in 2010.

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Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2011 04:41 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: metalman on February 27 2011 7:52 AM

I believe that former Mayor Kinsley did a lot of the ground work to get the Rangers back in P.G.
If Rogers had any class, he would acknowledge Kinsley's work, and that of anyone else who was involved.
metalman.

Posted by: tractor on February 27 2011 7:54 AM

Great, the younger generation are already talking about it.

Posted by: NoSeverance on February 27 2011 8:22 AM

The only class Rogers has is the one on how raise city taxes.

Posted by: gus on February 27 2011 10:25 AM

Do the Rocky Mountain Rangers have any affiliation with the Texas Rangers?

Posted by: gus on February 27 2011 10:33 AM

I wonder if there will be a call to build an Armoury to the east of Queensway next to the CBD sometime in the near future. That way all the emergency equipment needed in times of rising Nechako flood waters would be close at hand.

Posted by: socredible on February 27 2011 10:34 AM

Getting ready for the next big one. New fighter jets, "live-fire" exercise in Afghanistan almost complete, build-up of Reserve units ~ it's coming. Only way the 'figures' can continue to perpetually mis-represent the 'facts'.

Posted by: Slim2229 on February 27 2011 10:35 AM

You're funny Gus. Good to see them come back. Believe they used to use the area around 1st and Foothills as a range, don't remember where they were headquartered unless it was that bottle depot on 1st Ave.
Anyone recall their history in the 60's?

Posted by: tractor on February 27 2011 10:41 AM

They could put them downtown. I hear there is lots of free space.

Posted by: tractor on February 27 2011 10:44 AM

Wasn`t Baldy Hughes part of that?

Posted by: bowzone_mikey on February 27 2011 1:19 PM

Baldy hughes was a NoRAD early detection radar stn.... to look for missles coming over the top from them evil communist Soviets. When the cold war ended in late 80s/early 90s and the wal came down ... it was deemed no longer usefull

Posted by: He spoke on February 27 2011 1:31 PM

hmmm, Christy becomes premier, and we get a army reserve..... hmmmm I wonder what that could be about.

Posted by: Palopu on February 27 2011 2:01 PM

The Rocky Mountain Rangers in Prince George were located at the old Armory on 1st Avenue, which is now the bottle depot. Seems to me that the Army, Air, and Navy Cadets used to use that facility also.

People should read the article closely and you will see that they say they will be recruiting men and women in Prince George.

These units are basically what we used to call Saturday Night Soldiers. That is they would go to the training one day per week, and are paid a pittance.

Its not likely that they would build any facitlites, however who knows. Maybe they can use the Civic Centre,or the Northern Sports Centre Soccer fields, these facilities are hardly ever used.

Posted by: Slim2229 on February 27 2011 2:35 PM

Palopu, yuh fergot 5th floor at City Hall.

Posted by: gus on February 27 2011 3:18 PM

"hmmm, Christy becomes premier, and we get a army reserve..... hmmmm I wonder what that could be about."

Ask eagleone. He is our resident expert on such matters. :-)

Posted by: Little Birdie on February 27 2011 3:36 PM

How about they use the former Highland Elementary School for the Rangers?

Posted by: metalman on February 27 2011 3:45 PM

I thought the old military rifle range was to the north of the west end of what is now Massey drive, close to the base of Cranbrook hill. There were a lot of concrete bunkers there, all in a line. There were also underground concrete bunkers where the CNC student residence now stands.
Question: do Saturday night soldiers get called into active service from time to time? If so, is it mandatory?
metalman.

Posted by: Palopu on February 27 2011 4:58 PM

I think the concrete bunkers at the base of Cranbrook Hill were water towers. The actual Army Base back in the 40's was located somewhere around 1/2/3 Avenue West of Carney St. The hospital was also located their, and was eventually moved to its present location.

During the war there were approx 10,000lbs soldiers located here in Pr George. The Millar Addition was all housing for the military.

Posted by: socredible on February 27 2011 4:58 PM

Yes, they can get called into active service if and when it becomes necessary.
That's what they've agreed to when they volunteer to serve as reservists. They're in the Army, and are trained as infantry, (that particular regiment anyways).

Posted by: RUEZ on February 27 2011 5:55 PM

There has been people pushing for this for a long time it's good to see it's finally happening.

Posted by: socredible on February 27 2011 8:09 PM

It's the right thing to do, (no pun intended).

Posted by: western2 on February 27 2011 8:41 PM

This is a very progressive move for Prince George but pleeeeeeasse do not give any credit to that moron we now have for a mayor. Hey folks! If they can oust the likes of Khadafi, why do we need to wait out the full term of this Rogers idiot. I hated Kinsley personally, but he was better than Rogers the football headed lame-brain. When the police required help against visiting Hell's Angels, it was the Army who scared them away. They can assist in enforcement of the law against gangs.

Posted by: Palopu on February 27 2011 9:58 PM

If people do not want Rodgers to be the Mayor for the next three years they had better start looking for a replacement.

Elections are in Sept. and so far I havent heard of anyone running for Mayor or Council.

Posted by: Eagleone on February 27 2011 10:59 PM

I have no complaints about this... kind of neat that BC mainland has no major military bases, probably the only place in the world that could stake that claim... but I think a little more of our tax dollars returning to PG is a good thing, and if it creates opportunities for locals to serve their country then its a great thing. I had wanted to join Canadian Forces at one point in time, but the logistics of it (leaving BC) and the French aspect to move up in the system didn't motivate me much. I know lots of people (me included) that would gladly serve in their own community though.

I think it would come in handy for search and rescue, forest fire interface scenarios, and potential airport security or state visits in times of peace and war.

As for use against gangs I think that's a stretch as most gangs are small time thugs that the RCMP can easily take care of, and mixing military with civilian policing is never a good step to take if we want to maintain our constitution and rights as citizens.