User:ProntoFoxhound/sandbox

728 (St. John’s) Communication Squadron VELOX, VERSUTUS, VIGILANS (Swift, Skilled, Alert) The Squadron was officially formed on the 2nd of April, 1974. It was on that day that approval was received from National Defense Headquarters (NDHQ) to form a Reserve Communication Squadron to be known as 728 (St. John’s) Communication Squadron. The Squadron’s roots go back a little further than this however.

The Squadron was formed in response to a need to augment and support 727 Communication Squadron, the Regular Forces Communication Squadron in St. John’s. Approval from the Canadian Forces Communications Command in 1972 to increase Reserve strength within the command provided the opportunity to fulfill that need.

After some preliminary investigation, Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Bayne, then Commander of 72 Communication Group, Halifax, tasked the Commanding Officer of 727 Communication, Major P.B. Murphy, to produce a paper on the formation of a Reserve Communication unit in St. John’s. Major Murphy presented the paper in December 1972, recommending that a Reserve Communication Squadron be formed in St. John’s. The unit was tentatively to be called 728 (St. John’s) Communication Squadron. The Commander of 72 Communications Group agreed, and in January 1973, Lieutenant-Colonel Bayne visited St. John’s to appoint Major George Hulan as the first Commanding Officer.

Major Hulan, a former Signals Officer, was then serving with the Newfoundland Militia District Headquarters. Shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Elizabeth Casey, also serving with Newfoundland Militia District Headquarters was recruited as the Deputy Commanding Officer and 728 (St. John’s) Communication Squadron was under way.

The Squadron was located at the Canadian Forces Station St. John’s in close proximity to its Regular Forces counterpart. The newborn Squadron was provided space in an area that has a long colourful military history dating back to 1750. It was in 1750 that Pleasantville, where the Station is located, was first used for military purpose. Officers were granted land in the area to grow crops for their men. From this modest beginning, Pleasantville became a training center for the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Between WWII and the early 1960’s, it was a US Army and Airforce Base and is now presently 5th Canadian Division Support Group (5 CDSG) Garrison St. John’s. It was in this environment the fledgling 728 (St. John’s) Communication Squadron began to organize and grow.

The first task was to recruit personnel for the administrative and training positions. Finding people to fill training positions was especially difficult. The first new recruits were thirty students obtained through the Summer Youth Employment and Activities Program. They were given eight weeks of military training during the summer of 1973 and graduated as Privates who were General Military Training (GMT) and Trade Level 1 Teletype Operator qualified. 727 Communication Squadron provided the instructional staff.

During 1973 and the first quarter of 1974, the Squadron, not yet an official unit, operated as a Detachment of 721 (Charlottetown) Communication Regiment. This arrangement was primarily for administrative reasons; however, Major Hulan reported directly to the Commander of 72 Communication Group in the same manner as other Commanding Officers. On 2 June 1977, the Squadron bade farewell to Major Hulan who retired from the Canadian Forces after a long and distinguished career with both the Regular and Reserve Forces. Major J.F. Power, having retired from the Regular Forces after twenty years of service, commanded the Squadron during the next two years.

On 15 November 1979, Major Elizabeth Casey was awarded command of the Squadron. Major Casey led the unit on a prosperous path until 26 May 1987. During her tenure, the Squadron applied for and received approval of its unit crest (pictured above). Most notably, the Squadron won the Beament Trophy for the best Communication Reserve unit in 72 Communications Group on 15 April 1983. Lieutenant-Colonel D.J. Johnston, then Commander 72 Communications Group summed up the unit’s accomplishment in a congratulatory letter which read in part,

''“…You have overcome all the hardships and persevered and in just nine (9) short years have obtained a major milestone by winning the BEAMENT Trophy, symbolizing the best reserve unit with 72 Communications Group… You have set a standard, on which all of you should be justly proud. I charge each and every member of the Squadron to maintain this standard, not just for today, but ensure its continuance for the future.” Italic text''

On the 26th of May, 1987, Major Robert R.A.W. Riendeau assumed command of the Squadron and for two year period added significant color to the unit’s visibility among the community. During his tenure, the Squadron affiliated itself with 2565 Spaniard’s Bay Army Cadet Corps. The 16th of May 1989, witnessed the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Squadron, to which over two hundred guests and friends of the unit travelled from as far away as Ottawa to partake in the festivities. Major General Alleslev, the senior ranking Communications and Electronics Officer in the Canadian Forces, inspected the Squadron.

On the 25th of November 1989, Major Riendeau handed over command of the Squadron to Captain R.G. Welling. Under Captain Welling’s Leadership, the Squadron improved to an extent that it was recognized as the most improved unit in 72 Communication Group in 1991. Captain Welling increased Squadron strengthened and greatly improved the Officer Corp of the unit.

On the 26th of September 1992, Captain Welling handed over command of the Squadron to Captain S.A. Brace, the first Regular Forces CO of the unit. During Capt Brace’s tenure as the Commanding Officer he oversaw major changes to the unit and expanded its horizons. On the 17th of December 1994, he accepted command of 727 personnel from Captain Knight, finalizing the amalgamation of 728 and 727 into a total force unit as Communication Squadron St. John’s. The integration of the two units introduced 2410 Bell Island Army Cadet Corps to the Communication Reserve. Capt Brace also challenged the unit to excel. He introduced the ‘CO’s Challenge’ to increase “Esprit de Corp” and unit cohesiveness. Captain Brace increased morale a further step by leading unit participation in the Nijmegen Marches in Holland, infusing members with a great deal of unit pride.

On the 6th of July 1996, Captain Brace handed over command of the integrated squadron to Captain J.P. Mellway. Since that time, the unit has undergone additional change. On the 1st of August 1997, all DISO Regular Field Forces were formerly placed under operational command of their respective Base Commanders. On 1 September 1997, 728 (St. John’s) Communication Squadron stood back up as a sovereign unit. And on 31 March 1998 the Regular Forces Squadron was disbanded. Capt Mellway was promoted to major, 1 December 1998. Under his command, the unit will faced new challenges and milestones of the next millennium.

While the Squadron is looking forward to future challenges, its members continue to be aware of the Squadron’s history and its role, however modest, in communication history in the province. The Squadron’s crest is a constant reminder of this. Central in the crest’s design is the Hearts Content Cable Station, which is the site of the first transatlantic telegraph cable. The cable was a project of a man of vision, Cyrus W. Field, who preserved against several failures to reach his goal in July, 1866. Such dedication inspired the Squadron.

Although the Squadron had no official colors, its members have proudly served throughout Canada and Europe with Regular Force units. Squadron personnel have served with the UN Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus, Somalia, UNIMOG forces in Iran and Iraq, former Yugoslavia, Egypt and the Golan Heights. The Squadron was proud to be an integral member of the Defense Information System Organization (DISO). The Squadron Motto is VELOX, VERSUTUS, VIGILANS (Swift, Skilled, Alert).