5e Groupement de Combat
5e
Groupement de Combat was a regular organizational formation of
the Canadian Army.
Lineage
-
5e Groupement de Combat created in 1968
-
Renamed 5 Groupe-brigade du Canada (5 Canadian Brigade Group) in 1977
-
Renamed 5e Brigade méchanisé du Canada (5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade) in 1989.
-
Renamed 5e Groupe-brigade méchanisé du Canada (5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group) in 1992.
The brigade group continued operations into the 21st Century.
History
In the late 1960s, the Canadian Forces committed itself to creating
French Language Units (FLUs) and encourage career opportunities for
francophones. The Minister of National Defence, Léo Cadieux,
announced their creation on 2 April 1968, to include artillery and
armoured regiments as well as units of the supporting arms, with two
battalions of the Royal 22e Regiment at their core. The Army FLUs
eventually concentrated at Valcartier and became known as 5e
Groupement de Combat (French for 5 Combat Group).
The establishment of 5 Combat Group was tied to the creation of new
units including
-
5e Régiment du génie de combat
-
12e Régiment blindé du Canada
-
5e Peloton de police militaire
-
5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada
Existing units were added to the Group,
including 5e Escadron des transmissions and 2e Bataillon Royal 22e
Régiment.
In 1969, additional units were added, including
-
5e Unité médicale de Groupement de combat (5e Ambulance de campagne)
-
3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment
-
5e Bataillon des services du Canada
In 1971, operational ties between the Group and the newly created 430e Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères were formed.
In 1989 the formation
was renamed 5e Brigade mécanisée du Canada
In 1993, following the closure of Canadian Forces bases in Europe, 1
R22eR moved to CFB Valcartier (on 3 July) replacing 3 R22eR in the
brigade.
In 1994, following new DND organizational schemes, 5 CMBG and CFB
Valcartier split, becoming separate entities with the creation of 5
Area Support Group (which also included the Valcartier Garrison).
In 2002 58e Batterie d’artillerie antiaérienne (58 Air Defence
Battery) joined 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.
Uniform Insignia
In 1983, the brigade group adopted a distinctive patch for wear on the DEU and Garrison Dress. The Formation Patches were worn on the right sleeve only; the raw edged melton badges on the DEU and the swiss-embroidered edged badges on the Garrison Dress Jacket.
Artifacts and photo courtesy Bill
Alexander