56 Engineer Squadron (56 FES)
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56 Engineer Squadron is an independent unit of the Canadian Military Engineers located in St. John's, NL. The squadron is located in the former U.S Army Base of Fort Peperrel now called Pleasantville. Squadron lines are located in Bldg 310.
56 Engineer Squadron Unit History
56 Engineer Squadron (formally 56 Field Engineer Squadron) was formed on 24 October 1949 based at Buckmaster’s Field in St. John’s. The strength of the unit after the first year was three officers and forty-seven non-commissioned members. It was, with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, one of the first militia units formed in Newfoundland after Confederation.
The Squadron’s role is to assist their own troops to live, move and fight on the battlefield, and to deny enemy troops the same. As Sappers, they are an important member of the Infantry/Armoured/Artillery/Engineer, Combat Arms Team. Training consists of Military Engineering techniques such as bridge building, demolitions, and minefield laying and clearance. Members of the Squadron practice these techniques during exercises and military concentrations in all seasons throughout the Atlantic Provinces.
The Squadron has carried out numerous bridge construction projects within Newfoundland and Labrador such as, the Fox Island River, Port Blandford, Dyke’s River, Gros Morne National Park, Quidi Vidi Lake and Manuals River bridges. Other notable unit constructions have been rappel towers located in Stephenville, Grand Falls/Windsor, the Cambrai Range in Bay Robert, and a rifle range situated at Upper Indian Pond on the west coast for 2 Royal Newfoundland Regiment. The jewel achievement more recently was the reconstruction of Quidi Vidi Battery.
The Squadron is a proud and highly motivated unit, having won many prestigious awards for excellence, including the Gzowski Cup for the most outstanding Engineer Unit in Canada (7 times) and the Hertzberg Trophy, for the best Engineer project (7times).
The caliber of the Squadron is improving each day. Members are gaining greater experience across the world. In the past couple of years the Squadron has sent members to Bosnia, the Golan Heights, and East Africa.
Current Information
56 Engineer Squadron
Honourary Colonel: Lieutenant-Colonel Parrell,
Commanding Officer: Captain Rick Nolan,
Deputy Commanding Officer: ,
Sergeant Major: Master Warrant Officer Roger Dewland,
Unit Strength: 110 (+/-) all ranks,
Role: Field Engineer Squadron,
Mission: Combat engineer operations,
Location: St. John's Newfoundland
This is the unit crest:
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