CF wins best static display at Stampede
Army News
July 23, 2007
Crowds at this year’s Calgary Stampede line up for a close look at a CF-18. It was one component of the military’s display, which won the award for best static display at the annual event.
The Concessions and Exhibits Committee awarded “Best Display” to the Canadian Forces for its static display during Stampede 2007.
A plaque and Stampede belt buckle were presented to Maj Dick Cruickshank during an awards luncheon, to which the audience responded with a standing ovation. Maj Cruickshank, Community Relations Officer from 41 Canadian Brigade Group in Calgary, was the overall on-site coordinator for the military.
“This is wonderful recognition for the hard work that went into putting together the display. It was informative for Canadians, and very rewarding for the troops that were involved. Kudos to all of the personnel and units from the army, navy and air force that so willingly participated in order to make this happen,” said Maj Cruickshank.
The public had an opportunity to see, touch, enter and try on equipment, and interact with soldiers, sailors and air men and women from the Regular and Reserve Forces.
Under the careful and cheerful supervision of their crews, the equipment and vehicles were readily available for “hands on” participation. They were as follows:
- A Griffon Helicopter crewed by personnel from 408 Squadron in Edmonton, augmented later by personnel from 427 Squadron in Petawawa, Ontario.
- A CF-18 Hornet crewed by personnel from 410 Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta.
- A Mk 48 Torpedo Dummy (complete with Western saddle for those “cowboy” photo ops) along with a static display crewed by sailors from HMCS Victoria in Esquimalt, B.C.
- An HMCS Calgary display including kit shop items.
- A Naval Boarding Party display from Calgary that included “dummy” samples of weapons, equipment and the uniforms worn by NBP personnel.
- A Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat crewed by members from HMCS Tecumseh, Calgary’s Naval Reserve Unit.
- A Leopard Tank from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group presented by a crew from the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) based out of Edmonton.
- A Coyote recce vehicle from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group presented by a crew from the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians).
- A G-Wagon Recce vehicle from 41 Canadian Brigade Group presented by a crew from the King’s Own Calgary Regiment.
- A small arms display consisting of live weapons, such as a C9 MG, C6 MG and Carl Gustav AT securely attached to a display table from 41 Canadian Brigade Group presented by the Calgary Highlanders.
- A mine awareness display from 41 Canadian Brigade Group presented by soldiers from 33 Field Engineer Sqn in Calgary.
- A recruiting display presented by Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre, Calgary.
- A dynamic display staffed by members of 41 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters that allowed the public to try on items such as training ballistic plates, fragmentation and tactical vests, and helmets. They were also able to carry a “rubber” C7 rifle. Face painting, temporary tattoos and giveaways were extremely popular with the younger crowd.
- A Veterans Affairs Canada display.
- A hugely popular Support the Troops display and kit shop from the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre.
- A CF-18 Fighter Aircraft ’Hornet’ static display which attracted crowds in great numbers.
- Mannequins from National Defence Exhibits were used to display various types of military equipment.
The public was given Canadian Forces promotional items that included wristbands, carabineers and tattoos.
