The 7th is going to Europe.

An urgent situation is developing in the semi-autonomous region of Donovigrad. The eastern European state is under threat of civil war, stemming from a recent referendum on Donovigrad's national affiliation (50.2% for, versus 49.8% against). A protest on the vote escalated into sectarian violence, with twelve people killed in the upheaval. All twelve shared a common nationality.

Since March 2022, Donovigrad's borders have been closed to its European neighbors. Two years of economic downturn have culminated in financial collapse. Their failing economy was a strong driver for change, though the exclave's population is significantly divided among ethnical and ideological lines; each side viewing the referendum differently. There is a very real potential for open conflict.

The UN has declared a state of emergency, and several NATO nations have agreed to particpate in a stability operation. 7CMBG is the Canadian component of this effort.

Operation DRIFTER commences Saturday, the 20th of April

Lieutenant Colonel Stephane Morency is an officer of distinction, being a 14 year member of 7CMBG and 38 year member of the Canadian Forces.

Born and raised in Quebec, his father was also in the military. Morency learned English while living in Gagetown with his father, and in his teenage years enlisted as a combat engineer with the army reserves; eventually transferring to the air force as an officer and flight navigator on the CP140 Aurora. Morency's achievements are numerous, and he is now set to take over as commander of 17 Wing Operational Services Support in the summer of 2024.

A happily married man with five children, he has a passion for hockey, running, and travelling in his camper; but not without a small office to work on mods. Both Morency and Edwards run Task Force Canada (TFC), providing the unit with custom built models based on their real-life equivalents. He details how this led to the unit’s creation: “Back then it was ONS, Operation North Star. 7CMBG was invented to test the mod.”

The joint venture between ONS and TFC became 7CMBG, with the unit’s first commander being O’Halloran. Fast forward to today, now “it’s a club. It’s a group that’s pitching in”, it’s a self-oiled machine that Morency is quite proud of; “I’m loving this”.

Operation Achilles enters its second month. Fierce fighting persists in the urban and rural areas of Kunduz Valley. Despite the exhaustive efforts from local forces and the RCHR, the opposition continues to launch offensives from Kunduz' northern countryside. The battle of Chahar Dara is now in its third week with substantial fighting in and around the city; four members of RCHR were severely injured and five Afghan soldiers fell in battle on the 23rd of March while attempting to reclaim the city after it fell into enemy hands just one week prior. Operation Achilles is set to conclude on the 6th of April.

Photo of RCHR's A Company, 3rd Platoon on a hill overlooking Charar Dara

Member Spotlights are coming to the newsletter. You can read about Lieutenant Colonel Morency this weekend when the first spotlight releases.

Congratulations to newly promoted Master Corporal M. Sim and Private B. Mac.

Operation Achilles. A COY RCHR has deployed to Afghanistan to participate in Operation Achilles throughout February. The Black Watch is one of many Canadian units participating in a multinational effort to prevent the collapse of the Kunduz Valley region. Achilles is designed to confront belligerent parties for the purpose of securing passage for humanitarian aid and essential goods.

Hostile militias operating under the banner of terrorist organizations have exacerbated poor conditions, increasing logistical challenges that threaten to widen an ongoing famine and cause an exodus of the local population. Neighboring nations have been unable to make inroads to alleviate the imminent disaster. An urgent stabilization effort has been deemed necessary.

Operation Aegis. 7CMBG’s recent actions in Latvia have been lauded as an overwhelming success. Through significant challenge and hardship, the taskforce completed its mission with strength and skill. The combined effort of RCHR, RCN, 7th Air Wing, and 7 Field Ambulance was a testament to the capability of the brigade.

Congratulations go out to newly promoted Master Corporal A. Llywelyn.

Author: Cpl T.Niveus

We hope you had a good holiday season and new year.

7CMBG is moving forward with some productive new year resolutions of its own, called “the reboot”. Throughout the month of December suggestions were collected from the community. A compilation is available as a document, and the next reboot meeting is set for Saturday (the 6th) after part IV of Operation White Leaf. It will be held in Discord. The purpose of the reboot is to strengthen and focus the unit through a process of self-evaluation, re-structure and growth.

With the departure 2Lt Kowalski there is new leadership in 1 Platoon. Please give a warm welcome to Captain Faz, Lieutenant Stauder, and Acting Warrant Officer McKen. Also, a cheer to Cpl Asiago and Cpl O'Neill who were promoted to Corporal in December.

As a recap on Operation White Leaf, thus far a port was successfully seized along with an enemy airfield. A fierce battle was subsequently held on the crossroads where Canadian ground and air forces stopped an armoured battlegroup moving to counterattack. In two weeks RCHR will conclude its effort in Chernarus and be rotated back to Afghanistan as part of Operation Achilles. The upcoming operation is a part of an international security and humanitarian effort in Kunduz Valley.

Author: Cpl T.Niveus