Bravo Company (Para), Third Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, has proven itself once again as a fully capable Airborne Infantry Company, establishing themselves as the premier Parachute Company within the Canadian Army.  Whether it is exercises or operations, within Canada or internationally, Para Company, 3 PPCLI is prepared for any undertaking, proving that the esprit-de-corps of airborne operations is alive and well.

2011 was an eventful period for the Para Company who completed numerous courses, competitions, and exercises to further enhancing their light infantry capabilities.  Their high degree of success in these endeavours attests to the fact that Para Company takes their high standard of training and fitness seriously. 

Para Company hosted numerous in-house courses consisting of two Basic Parachute courses, one static line Jump Master course, a Basic Mountain Operations course (conducted in Kamloops, B.C.) that culminated in Ex MOUNTAIN SPARTAN, two serials of the Infantry Platoon Support Weapons Qualification, the .50 Cal Heavy Machine Gun course, one Army Reserve Basic Infantry Qualification course, and, lastly, the Basic Winter Warfare course beginning in Edmonton and completed at Camp Wainwright as part of Ex PATRICIA NOMAD, which also included section-level live fire ranges.

Para Company’s participation in exercises during the first half of the year included Ex DESERT RAM in CFB Suffield where they conducted live fire ranges for the rest of 1 CMBG.  Ex MAPLE GUARDIAN in Wainwright served as a full scale rehearsal for a battle group sized element slated for deployment to Afghanistan.  Although Para Company served as a tertiary training audience, they participated in numerous missions, culminating in both Airmobile and Airborne assaults, made possible with the assistance of the Montana National Guard.  Back in Edmonton, Ex SPARTAN DAGGER saw soldiers of Para Company conduct Advanced CQB and Urban Ops training, concluding with force-on-force assaults. Finally, Para Company continued to honour its airborne heritage in Siffleur Falls, Alberta by commemorating the 67th anniversary of D-Day with the veterans of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and Airborne Brotherhood Association, successfully completing the climb of Ex Coelis Mountain.   
           
Between exercises and courses, Para Company was involved in several competitions, ranging from parachute exercises, sports, and endurance races.  In August, they conducted a friendship jump in Watkins, CO at the invitation of the 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group.  Additionally, the Company sent two teams of Paratroopers to the Rhode Island National Guard’s parachute competition, known as “LeapFest,” where the Company won the International Division title.  Other members of Para Company headed to Ft. Bragg, NC to take part in Op TOY DROP, a charitable event aimed at giving less fortunate children toys at Christmas time.  Other paratroopers had the opportunity to jump with our NATO allies in international parachutist wing exchanges with the 26th Airborne Brigade in Germany, as well as jumps in Holland to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, famously known as OPERATION MARKET GARDEN.  During Ex STRONG CONTENDER, Para Company helped to represent 3 PPCLI placing first in Ice Hockey and Indoor Soccer, second in CrossFit, and third in Curling, all within the Minor Unit category.  Strong finishes in Ex MOUNTAIN MAN and the Grande Cache DEATH RACE, held last summer, also proved that Para Company has what it takes to complete the gruelling rigors of these endurance events.

Para Company’s year culminated in Ex ARCTIC RAM, its aim being to prove, build, and improve the Canadian Army’s Arctic capabilities. The Company’s role, in conjunction with its enablers from the Para Company Group, was to conduct classical airborne operations in support of the 1 PPCLI Battle Group.  Being the first time that Canadian Paratroopers had jumped into the Arctic since 1996, Ex ARCTIC RAM was the biggest and most complex Army-led exercise the Canadian Forces has ever conducted north of 60. In the space of only nine days, Para Company conducted three separate, company-sized Airborne operations to seize key infrastructure, including bridges, airfields, and ice roads.  Soldiers of 3 RCR functioned as an enemy force within the Area of Operations, ensuring that the Para Company was put through its paces.  The exercise concluded with a mass company drop, preceded by a pathfinder platoon that had deployed by parachute the previous night.  Para Company found, fixed, and destroyed the remaining enemy on this final objective, allowing the Battle Group to seize a final airfield with their mechanized assets.  The mission concluded with a speech from the Commander of the Army, Lt. General Peter Devlin, who complimented Para Company on its professionalism and outstanding determination to execute airborne operations in harsh arctic conditions.