Winnipeg Free Press
Wednesday September 8 2004
By Jason Bell
CONVOYS of Canada's military machines rolled down the Trans-Canada Highway yesterday, bound for their new home east of Brandon.
Soldiers from the Second Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry began moving about 150 military vehicles from Kapyong Barracks in Winnipeg to the base in Shilo.
The first wave of green machines left the PPCLI barracks on the corner of Grant Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard at 9 a.m., followed by a second motorcade just after lunch.
Armoured personnel carriers, army trucks, jeeps and a few tractor-trailers carrying supplies will continue rumbling west through Friday, said Master Warrant Officer Derek Bisson.
The armoured carriers resemble tanks, but the big cannons and machine-guns have been removed for the trip west. Convoys will travel less than 80 kilometres per hour on the highway and will keep to the right-hand lane.
"They shouldn't cause any disruption to motorists," said Bisson. "We do convoys all the time. This is business as usual for us.
"But (the convoys) could be something interesting to see for people."
A busload of soldiers arrives each morning from Shilo to drive the vehicles back to the base during daylight hours only.
More than 400 soldiers have already moved to Shilo, with another 100 slated to leave within the next few weeks.
The vacant Kapyong Barracks will be turned over to 17 Wing CFB Winnipeg by the end of the year.
Back in June, thousands of Winnipeggers saluted and bade farewell to the soldiers at several ceremonies in the city.
Bisson, 46, in his 29th year in the military, spent the past seven years at Kapyong Barracks.
He said many soldiers left with mixed feelings but have since received a warm welcome from the western Manitoba community.
"Roots were planted here in Winnipeg and it was difficult for some to leave. But that same relationship is already beginning in Shilo and the city of Brandon," he said.